Ftb - clueless

[Juxmus]

We're ftb with a mortgage in principle and think we've found a property which we want to put an offer on, could anyone please advise on the following, I'm feeling rather out of my depth.

Do you agree on fixtures and fittings when putting an offer on or later down the line?

The vendors haven't yet found their property, if our offer is accepted would we arrange a survey before or after the chain is complete? I'm conscious of them changing their mind and us being out of pocket, we want a full survey due to the age of the house

The usual order is - you put in an offer but if there is something specific you want you can say £x to include (eg) all curtains.

You would then usually arrange your survey and instruct your solicitor to carry out searches etc. Quite often when you are getting a mortgage the lender will instruct a valuation (which is merely that) to be carried out by a surveyor. You can usually pay their surveyor to upgrade to a homebuyers report or a full survey rather than instruct a separate surveyor.

The Seller's solicitor will forward a Sellers Property Information Form which will detail things in the property and what is included and not included. So, for example, there may be a shed that will stay but they may want to take a greenhouse etc.

In your situation where they haven't found anywhere yet to minimise the risk of paying out for surveys, searches etc you may agree with the Seller that you won't initiate these until they are ready to start their process on something they find to move to.

Remember until you exchange you will still be at risk anyway.

Good luck - it is exciting times but hard as it is try not to start buying things that will only go in that new place - just in case.

Thank you, that makes perfect sense, I wasn't sure what was normal practice and google failed me.

They have a range cooker which we would like to stay we aren't desperate for it but as they are downsizing I wanted to ask if they would consider leaving it as we only have an integrated at the current property.

Trying to contain my excitement, after 11 years of scrimping and scraping for a deposit it's hard not to get carried away.

Thanks again

Make your offer and if they counter ask them to include the cooker if you are prepared to go to a higher price.

I think the key is how you put things across and you have to be empathetic and think how what you say and ask for will be received.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buying-a-home-timeline this is a helpful list of what happens in what order.