Is this normal?

[giddybiddy]

We are in the process of selling our house, we accepted an offer £15k under the asking price as the buyers had a short chain. All seems to be proceeding but have just had a request from them asking for contributions to costs of fairly minor things that have come up post survey. Cutting down a tree (which we rather like), replacing roof felt which is a bit worn, testing electrics (we haven't had issues). I am a bit annoyed as feel these minor things are easily covered by the saving they are making. Also, we had similar suggestions from our surveyor about the place we are buying but felt it was part and parcel of buying an old house that there will be things you need to do. is this normal behaviour or warning signs I have dodgy buyers???

It's really difficult to categorise what is normal and what isn't when buying/selling.

As individuals we all have a slightly different gauge of what might be considered acceptable. Some people, like you it would seem, would never dream of raising relatively trivial issues and asking for money off. Others take the view that if they don't ask they don't get, and have no shame in asking for a further discount.

Politely decline their request, hopefully that will be the last you'll hear of it. Try hard not to let it bother you, although I realise it's not always easy.

I take the view that major things coming up on the survey that will cost a lot (depends on value of house what 'a lot' is I guess!) and weren't apparent when the buyer made their offer warrant some discussion of price. The things you mention here aren't those kinds of things in my view.

I'm in the process of buying and selling and paid for my own electrical on the house I"m buying. It was £240 for a 2 bed house in the north of England. The remedial works come to less than £1k and I've not asked for any reduction.

My buyers have been more like yours and have reduced their offer over minor things and given how late in the process that happened I've not had much choice but to accept. I'm pretty cross about it though!

The estate agent seemed to think this was increasingly common amongst first time buyers who don't understand that no property is totally immaculate and that all properties, however new, need money to spent maintaining them.

'As we have already reduced the price by £15k we Will not be reducing further. Should you wish to withdraw your offer please let me know asap so we can put the house back in the market.'

What Soontobe said. Buyers are trying it on.

I am a bit annoyed! Anyway have said no more discounts and if they push the matter will ask them if they want to withdraw as suggested.. Thanks for the advice! Haven't bought/sold a house for so long have no idea what to expect..

I was told by my solicitor that it was the norm that buyer paid for electrical survey if they wanted one, this was when we were both buying and selling.

I would say tree was definitely personal preference unless their survey has highlighted its damaging the house, which I doubt a survey like that would, and I would just say no. Roof felt I think depends how worn is worn and was it obvious when they viewed that it needed replacing (I.e did the surveyor need a ladder to see it?) if it was obvious on viewing I'd say the offer already reflects the roof.

Our buyers tried that too and we categorically said no. You want the house as it is or not at all.

I would say a polite "no", because they are normal things to come up in a survey and in proportion to what you'd expect.

I disagree with the bit about them already getting a bargain/discount. The asking price was only ever what you thought you might get for it, it wasn't its intrinsic value. A buyer can pay £50k less than the asking price and still be overpaying if the asking price was OTT.

Are they ftb's op? This asking for electrical testing seems to be a standard thing. If they want it tested, they pay. As others have said, tell them no more discounts. If that is not okay with them, to let you know ASAP so you can put it back on the market.

Trying their luck in my opinion. I'd be telling them to jog on and let me know ASAP if they'll be proceeding or pulling out. A roll of roof felt costs about £30! The other issues are purely their choice, not actual defects.

The electrical survey yes, thr felt I'd maybe contribute to, depending on the cost and state of it, and the tree no, unless it's a problem for rhe house.