Building Survey report - HELP!!

[NotMyCircusMonkeys]

We've just had our Building Survey report back from the surveyor and whilst it included several things we knew would need replacing (internal doors, original boiler and consumer unit which may need replacing) it has also highlighted that the roof underlay, fascias and soffits need replacing at a cost of approx. £2.5k.

We're buying the house for £197.5k which is top of our budget. What are the chances of getting the vendors to agree to drop the price to £195k do you think to cover this work?

This is our first purchase so I have no idea how this usually works. I know that the sale fell through once before and they lost the house that they were trying to buy so I imagine they'd be keen to avoid that happening again.

Any advice on what to do next would be greatly appreciated!! I've already emailed several local roofers a copy of the report and have asked for a quote so hopefully I should have a better idea of costs in the next couple of days.

You should look at what similar properties in similar condition sell for in the area. For example, if there is a similar property nearby in good condition for £197.5k, then this property is overpriced, so you should feel no hesitation in trying to negotiate.

Some sellers may knock the whole amount off, others may offer a part reduction. You can but ask - but thereafter, it really depends on how much you want it.

There is no harm in asking, as other buyers will be facing the same issues as you, but appreciate that the seller may not want to negotiate.

We moved recently, and paid a little above what the house was worth (comparing prices nearby) because we really needed to be in the area, and we loved the house, and it met all our requirements.

We figured that if we didn't go for it, and carried on looking for other houses, we would be spending more on rent anyway while we continued to search.