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Original poster

Do I ask too many questions/appear awkward? WWYD

82 replies

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:08

Hello, just would like some perspective from a seller's point of view...

I've seen 2 houses I like, 1st one I was 'gazumped' (not really as v early stages), 2nd one few weeks later I now have an offer in but not yet accepted (its been 2 days)

In both cases, I have sent a list of questions to EA about property before offering: is there subsidence/damp/when was roof repaired/have you been burgled etc?

I do this as: 1) would like to understand major deal breakers before shelling out thousands for a survey, 2) to save walking away eg 2 months down the line

I think 1st house this may have gone against me (they def wanted ask no questions FTBs, so I think maybe they have something to hide). The current house - I asked if they had rising or penetrating damp, & got reply 'no rising damp': so I've just gone back to EA to clarify if they have had penetrating...

My questions are polite & definitely not derogatory to the house/sellers: I also make it clear to EA that I expect some things to need rectifying in an older property

My question is: if you were selling, would this put you off/make you favour someone else? Should I kill the questions?

OP posts:

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:10

Oh, this second house I offered on after seeing it for 15 mins, that day, so I guess its a bit late to be asking questions! My offer is on table since yesterday, hasn't been accepted yet but if ok re the damp I expect I will say ok & they will accept tomorrow (if not found another buyer).

I know I haven't done things quite right, but i find it hard to keep a cool head which doesn't help me :(

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salema · 03/11/2020 20:13

You might be better off asking the estate agent these questions over the phone or during the viewing - if they forward your email on to the buyer it could be off-putting.

I think it’s fair enough to ask, although the estate agent and possibly the buyer may not know the answers (e.g. historic roof repairs, damp).

If a house had been burgled, would that put you off buying it? You can check crime stats for an area so might be able to figure out this sort of risk without asking.

TheTeenageYears · 03/11/2020 20:26

If it puts vendors off then it could be a blessing in disguise. We once asked if a property had ever flooded and were told absolutely not. Went ahead with offer and survey and hold the front page, the surveyor confirmed it had flooded previously from the damp readings, new plaster and speaking to the neighbours. What a waste of money and if there hadn't been so much else going in in our lives at the time I would have taken the EA to small claims to get the money back.

maryberryslayers · 03/11/2020 20:26

It would put me off you if I'm honest. Your questions aren't unreasonable but would probably be better asked informally at the viewing as opposed to multiple emails. I'd also drop the one about being burgled, just check crime stats for the area.

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:33

thank you... I asked the burglary one as they had loads of padlocks & a ring doorbell, would make me worried about being there on my own!

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:33

Thanks for the answers... its difficult to ask at viewings at they are 15 mins, sometimes its 'Saturday staff' who don't know the property

I asked about the burglary as load of padlocks on garden/side gate & ring door bell which made me worry. It really WOULD put me off buying a house that had been burgled more than once as a lone female... as I expect if someone knows layout of house /street it makes it easy

I do try not to ask stupid/irrelevant questions and just stick to main ones but there is a lot to think about - its such a big financial commitment...

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Haggisfish · 03/11/2020 20:36

Surely they could just lie though?

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:36

Thanks for the answers... its difficult to ask at viewings at they are 15 mins, sometimes its 'Saturday staff' who don't know the property

I do try not to ask stupid/irrelevant questions and just stick to main ones but there is a lot to think about - its such a big financial commitment... and big impact on life if get it wrong!

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Mosaic123 · 03/11/2020 20:37

Offer first, have it accepted then ask a few questions. Pick them carefully. You know that all of this will be covered by solicitors questions and a full survey?

Haggisfish · 03/11/2020 20:39

Surely they could just lie though?

ArnoldBee · 03/11/2020 20:46

Your questions are a bit odd as they should be picked up during the buying process.
I wouldn't be able to say if I had rising or penetrating damp as I am not a damp specialist and there are proper scientific definitions.
Padlocks, cameras etc not necessarily a sign of burglaries. You need to check stats that are easily available. We have things like this in our house as my hubby is a sad geek.

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:47

@Mosaic123

Offer first, have it accepted then ask a few questions. Pick them carefully. You know that all of this will be covered by solicitors questions and a full survey?

@mosaic. I think that is probably the way .. get it off the market, then ask questions as I can walk if I don't like the answers... In fact, I know its the way, i'm kicking myself a bit!

I am impatient & want to know where I stand

I do realise they will be covered by survey and solicitor, so its just wanting to know - realistically if over is accepted tomorrow, then I think my survey is at least 6 weeks in the future...

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:48

@Mosaic123

Offer first, have it accepted then ask a few questions. Pick them carefully. You know that all of this will be covered by solicitors questions and a full survey?

@mosaic. I think that is probably the way .. get it off the market, then ask questions as I can walk if I don't like the answers... In fact, I know its the way, i'm kicking myself a bit!

I am impatient & want to know where I stand

I do realise they will be covered by survey and solicitor, so its just wanting to know - realistically if over is accepted tomorrow, then I think my survey is at least 6 weeks in the future...

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:49

@Mosaic123, @maryberryslayers, @ArnoldBee:

would you find this off-putting enough to accept a very good offer (within 1% of asking price) or just a bit irritating?

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:51

@Haggisfish

Surely they could just lie though?

I think the view is that you can take to court if they lie, one of the reasons to put it all in writing

I realise I should be doing this all a LOT later in the process/via my solicitor though

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:53

apologies btw for the double posting, appear to be having a few issues with the site tonight

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Didiusfalco · 03/11/2020 20:53

I think it would ring alarm bells if you came with a list of questions right out the gate, I would think you would be awkward to deal with through the process and it would put me off.

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:55

apologies for the double posting, appear to be having a few issues with the site tonight

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:57

@Haggisfish

Surely they could just lie though?

I think the view is that you can take to court if they lie, one of the reasons to put it all in writing

I realise I should be doing this all a LOT later in the process/via my solicitor though

OP posts:

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 20:57

@Haggisfish

Surely they could just lie though?

I think the view is that you can take to court if they lie, one of the reasons to put it all in writing

I realise I should be doing this all a LOT later in the process/via my solicitor though

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 21:00

@Didiusfalco: thank you, its not what I LIKE to hear, but you are right! I had a list of questions from 1 (potential) buyer on my house, & did not like it... but its because she assumed that there were problems (referred to non existent leaks, 'dodgy' wiring) etc...

Is there anything I can do to rectify the situation... eg a light-hearted comment to agent? I REALLY want this house & can deal with a bit of damp...

Shall I phone the agent tomorrow 1st thing and say that I realise I might be coming over annoying/awkward and to just leave it on getting the answer to 1 follow up question...?

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Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 21:00

Is there anything I can do to rectify the situation... eg a light-hearted comment to agent? I REALLY want this house & can deal with a bit of damp...

Shall I phone the agent tomorrow 1st thing and say that I realise I might be coming over annoying/awkward and to just leave it on getting the answer to 1 follow up question...?

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ArnoldBee · 03/11/2020 21:02

I would probably think you'll be awkward and drop out of the buying process so would hope someone else would make an offer.

Onamugsearch · 03/11/2020 21:07

You are showing your cards too early.

Also - the questions you are asking are about things that can be rectified in some way. If you REALLY love the property and can see yourself having a future in it, save them till later.

Original poster

DespairingHomeowner · 03/11/2020 21:09

@Onamugsearch: I wish I had a time machine to take me back a few hours :(

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