Turning down an offer

[Nofoolfornoone]

Hey everyone

So I had someone round yesterday for a second viewing. They have been emailing the agent lots of questions like how many plug sockets are in the kitchen, which doorbell is the one for this flat, can a washing machine be put in the place of the washing machine. Almost every day since first viewing I’ve had emails from agent relaying their questions.

Anyway today I had an offer in from them at 5 % under the asking price.

I’ve seen the persons own home has been for sale in 2016, 2018 and then again in 2019 (now under offer). I’m worried they are incredibly fussy or a worrier due to the questions and how many times previously they have been for sale.

I love this flat and I’m not desperate to move so I’ve declined without a counter offer and I feel like I don’t trust the buyer enough to accept a higher offer anyway. And also like they’ve taken the mick a little with the offer. It’s a competitively priced flat in London so 5% under asking price is fairly significant.

Would others do the same or am I being too sensitive?

Can a washing machine be put in the place of a dishwasher

Just because someone makes an offer doesn’t mean you have to accept or even give a reason. As long as it’s not discriminatory

Well I've declined a low offer before and said that I don't expect to receive any further offers from someone. House viewing is a two-way process and if the potential buyer looks like hard work it will put some people off - it's a stressful thing to do at the best of times, and you don't want someone making it harder!

Having said that - you do seem to have gone a little over the top in your buyer investigations IMO!

5% less than the asking price is a pretty normal offer. When I sold my house in house someone offered 20% under asking price “as they were chain free” now that is taking the piss.

You should be able to swap a dishwasher for a washing machine as both need a waste water point and cold water plumbing.

• house in house = house in London

The agent told me her address and I just was curious to look it up on Zoopla, which then lists the history.

Yes, i responded it would be easy to swap dishwasher and washing machine over. Just seemed to me like odd questions after a first viewing.

But maybe I’m much more laid back about buying than some other people. Whether or not I could swap a washing machine and dishwasher over and how many plug sockets are in the kitchen would not be on my radar after a first viewing

Whoa. The EA told you their address. That's out of order!! Anyway, you're fine to decline the offer, but I wouldn't think of them as potentially problematic because of the questions they've asked, they might just be detailed people like me who need to know everything up front whereas others are happy to be big picture and worry about details later.

The agent also told me their budget which seemed a little silly lol

My washing machine has hot and cold water fill, but I think my dishwasher has cold fill only - so you'd need the hot water pipe/connection to swap for a washing machine.

I will check this later!

@chiccroissant don’t worry, I wasn’t asking that as a question on here. It’d one thing she asked me but I know they can easily be swapped. Thank you though

Tbh OP, I'd be more worried about what your estate agent is telling people about you / your flat if they're so openly sharing that sort of information about others with you!