Buyer's demands after survey

[kittlesticks]

Hi all
Any advice welcome. We have sold to a cash buyer and are stretching ourselves to buy a slightly bigger place. Our buyer is asking us to fix quite a few minor things that came up in the survey before we exchange contracts. We haven't done this recently and I suppose I am fairly naive about what to do next.
None of the things being asked for are (in my opinion) actual problems for our house right now. For example, replacing the radiators that are old but working perfectly well.
In total we think all these small jobs would probably cost about 3 grand to complete. We don't want to spend this money, we need every penny at the moment.
There were lots of people interested in the house which sold within only a few days, so the market in our area is moving fast, but we've found our lovely next house and don't really want to lose our buyer as that will put the sale at risk.

Tell them no. The house is as-is.

I agree with Aquamarine1029

Tell them no. Theyre being cheeky and chamcing their luck imo. So probably will not pull out.

But its a risk in this situation. If they did pull out then would you lose the house you want or do you think it would sell fast enough if put back on the market?

If you are likely to lose your house from them pulling out maybe a compromise can be found? So maybe agree to 1 of the works?

Its a shit situation but you need to weigh up the risk of saying no and what that could mean.

Well you can either do the work yourselves or the buyer will request a discount on the selling price? So either way if you want to retain the current buyer then you need to come to a compromise Or call the buyers bluff and call the sale off?

What other items were identified? How old is the house? Changing radiators in themselves sounds pretty petty but if it's one of a number of items they could all
Potentially add up to wider issue that the house is in poor condition?

Thank you both.
Buyer was advised by the survey that a couple of things are 'coming to the end of their natural life' therefore wants us to replace them before exchange, but I would have thought that is just part of what you accept when you take a house on!
I'm reassured that I'm not being rude by saying no.

We are going through the process at the minute, accepted an offer within 9 days and told them house is sold as seen no indemnity policies etc buyer still desperate to move.

House is normal 3 bed semi, circa 35 years old, we've done absolutely loads to it (new kitchen, extension, bathrooms, all electrics, landscaping etc) so we feel pretty confident that it would sell again but as you say, we might risk our chain collapsing if we pulled out.
Perhaps we could, as you say, offer to do one or two of these little things.

@emma8t4 thank you and good luck with everything

What sort of things are they op?

I agree with saying no; I wouldn't expect a vendor to fix/change anything, imo a survey just gives you an idea of what may need looking at and I've never used it as a bargaining tool.

Sounds like they're chancing!

@Bluntness100 little things that add up, basically. Replacing some radiators, one section of skirting board, a couple of door handles, window brackets, dimmer switches, it's basically a shopping list.

Sounds like the Surveyor is the cheeky so and so here!!!! That one statement "coming towards the end of their natural life" has clearly made what are nervous buyers even more so! I'd be pissed at the Surveyor

Given this id call their bluff - most people have radiators in their House that are years outside what the manufacturers state their "life span" is but unless they don't work/leak no one ever changes them!

If the house value given by the surveyor is the same as the agreed price, I'd tell them to jog on.

[quote kittlesticks]@Bluntness100 little things that add up, basically. Replacing some radiators, one section of skirting board, a couple of door handles, window brackets, dimmer switches, it's basically a shopping list. [/quote]

Sounds to me that the Surveyor couldn't find anything to report on so is justifying his fee by coming up with this fairly arbitrary list of minor things just to have something to say

After your update, bloody hell, definitely tell them no!

Completely agree with @ivfbeenbusy

Next they'll be asking you to paint the kitchen in their favourite colour.

Just say no, it's sold as seen. Ask them to let you know by Friday whether they wish to proceed because otherwise you want to get it back on the market straight away.

Tell them to do one. And fwiw my house has some original radiators from the 1920s when it was built.

Thanks all. Can't tell you how much I appreciate the wisdom here - we are feeling clueless, trying to parent two kids, both working full time etc.
Surveyor was definitely a bit odd to say the least - I was at home when he was here. Oh - I forgot she wants us to replace the taps in our downstairs loo - they work fine! It's bizarre.
Ok I am feeling fairly comfortable now that I will say no. If they come back trying to reduce their offer we will say we can't do that as we will lose the property we are buying - if they really want our house I assume they will stick with it.

Your buyers are 1st class CFs. Say no to all & hold your nerve, they are trying it on big time. By the sounds of it you are in the stronger position anyway & I'd be playing that card right back at them.

"I'm so sorry buyer, that isn't an option. Are you sure you still want to go through with the purchase?? I have 2 others interested & 1 is offering a higher price, so we really don't mind"

The buyer is taking the piss and hoping you're dumb enough to fall for it. They will not back out over these trivial things.

Don't tell them you will lose the property you're buying, tell them what @SingingInTheShithouse said - that you have other buyers lined up who are offering what they are (or more) and if they don't want it as seen, you'll out it back on the market.

Give them a gimlet eye, cheeky fuckers.

Either they are inexperienced and think it should be all perfect like a holiday let or they think you are inexperienced and are trying it on.

Replacing taps? For God's sake. I can't believe they think it's remotely okay to even ask.

My mum bought a house where the survey showed floorboards were rotten and structurally unsafe. The vendors took 500 quid off the house price, which was fair and acceptable on both sides!

Those are the kinds of issues that need addressing, not bloody taps and door handles.

What a ridiculous surveyor and cheeky buyers!!

Be assertive, say no and ask to be informed ASAP if they no longer wish to proceed. I doubt very much they'll back out over radiators! Some people lose their heads.

But every survey has a whole heap of small things which is useful for the purchasor (ids minor defects they can sort out) and hopefully reassuring that there isn’t something huge.
The things you’ve mentioned are minor and to be expected surely.
I sold recently and did agree to a meaningful reduction but that was because a significant issue which I had no idea about and they couldn’t see on viewings and which absolutely needed to be dealt with was identified. Buyers got 3 quotes and set out their proposed reduction. I agreed immediately and was extremely glad not to lose them - it was all fair enough.

Their survey is just a list of small nothings (but understand you don’t want to pay).

Your estate agent can help if you want with how the refusal to drop should be worded to explain and attempt to keep them.