Is this buyer being shifty?

[ifeelprettyorange]

Accepted an offer on our house early August. Buyer had viewed twice before offering.

Everything has been going through solicitors, no issues raised as far as we have been made aware. Property is only 7 years old so no real issues to report.

We thought we were getting close to exchange but have just had a call to say buyer wants to have a full survey carried out to the property. Worthwhile adding that she is a cash buyer so no requirement for a survey due to mortgage...

I accept most people would have a survey and did wonder why she hadn't. She had indicated to the estate agents that she wouldn't as the house is so new. But I am now wondering whether she's left it so long knowing we are so far down the line with our purchase up the chain that she can now find a way to put us over the barrel to reduce the price.

Please tell me I'm being paranoid?!

I don't understand! Why are you ringing the buyers surveyer?
Usually, the buyer instructs their surveyer, and the surveyer would ring you to arrange a mutually convenient appointment to do the surveyer.

Sorry the last word should be survey, not surveyer.

I did this. I wasn't being shifty, I just hadn't realised how important it was to get the survey until a friend told me about how it would be good to know of major issues I might have to deal with. There were none and I appreciated knowing that.

let the buyer arrange for a survey, don't tell buyer that you won't reduce the price for any reason.
most likely the place is fine, however if any major thing pops out then negotiate.
for minor things stick to your price.

@MoirasRoses that's good to know and I wonder if similar could have happened with our buyers.

We had a full home buyers report on the house we are buying a few weeks ago and it was pretty comprehensive, uncovered a few things we wouldn't have noticed at viewing as well as confirmed a few other things. We didn't use it to negotiate the price and wouldn't have done unless something major had come back.

@ozymandiusking how it seems to be working in our chain is the surveyor contacts the estate agent and the estate agent then asks you to contact the surveyor to arrange a date.

Worth noting that this particular surveyor was so busy he only had one slot next week, even though it wasn't convenient for us we've had to move things around to make it work and save waiting another week.

Have you asked why they are deciding to have the survey done now? I wouldn't worry because you can't do anything about it. You do however need to think about what you'll do should the buyer try to knock the price down. Are you willing to drop the price if they request it?

I have never met our buyer so don't have any contact with them. Our estate agent was equally as baffled as we were to be honest...

No, there's no way we would reduce the price. Without sounding arrogant the house is in pretty immaculate condition and the only slight bit of cosmetic work (to one of the bathrooms) they would have seen at viewing.

I've just been reading the money saving expert guide to buying (because our purchase is not moving at all!) and that suggests a survey at quite a late stage - basically the last thing before exchange I think. Maybe they're following that?

If there is nothing wrong with the house there is nothing to worry about is there?

@UnconsideredTrifles that's interesting.... I guess it's a big amount of money that you may not want to fork out initially.

@midgebabe I think you might be missing the point, I'm not concerned about anything being found..... just what the motive could be for the buyer to leave it so late on.

She’s likely just being cautious. If there is nothing wrong with the property then there is no need for worry.

You’re worrying something might be found and you know the house. Why should she be different?

I understand your anxiety but I also think it is reasonable for her to get a full survey done, especially because it's a cash purchase (to protect her outright asset). She's just doing what banks would do to protect their money (i.e. a mortgage loan).

She may have naively assumed that a 7 year old property won't have issues (as you also presumed too) and that being within the 10 year warranty period gives her some coverage if there are any issues. But, the age of the property does not mean it's survey-proof and has no issues (hence why snagging reports on new builds is such a good recommendation). Getting a survey done prior to taking on the asset is likely to be classed as her responsibility and due diligence to protect herself should any issues arise. Depends on the warranty clauses too...

Ask why she's asked for a survey so late in the day to maybe have peace of mind, but play it carefully because you don't want to give her reason to believe there's a problem you have not disclosed.

It is also a buyer's market. So, if she is going to ask for a reduction (with the support of the survey or not) then maybe prepare yourselves for worst case scenario. If you really can't go any lower then be prepared for your response and be prepared to seriously walk away if you can't go any lower.

She's a cash buyer and it's a buyer's market, so I'm afraid it looks like she would be in the stronger position unless your home is distinctly special to others on the market.

I imagine that the buyer wasn’t going to bother with a survey at first due to the age of the house. then later on they changed their mind/someone advised it. It is a sensible thing to do after all. I doubt they’ll find anything wrong with such a new house.

I wouldn’t immediately assume they’ll try to use it for a gazunder.