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Original poster

Cheeky buyers!

113 replies

Amerimoon · 21/12/2020 18:48

Just gathering thoughts on this situation.

I posted a week or so ago because we were seriously considering pulling out of our house sale/ purchase to go for our dream house (on another thread) but we decided in the end that we couldn’t do that to the rest of the chain and are carrying on as originally planned. Just mentioning that to point out that we really aren’t desperate to sell and wouldn’t be averse to putting our house back on the market really if it comes to it.

Our buyers delayed having a survey on ours until late on - last week- and we’re all due to complete first week of January!

Today our buyers sent an email saying the survey demanded 5k off the purchase price. They’ve sent a list of things they require the money for... I’m floored by it!!! Our house is in fantastic condition (it was fully renovated a year ago and is immaculate). On the list is items such as new internal AND external doors because they’re all wooden and therefore beholden to upkeep and maintenance (repainting) going forward. They are new in last year and do not need replacing!! They also want the planting outside the house to run further up the path to reach the house - the garden is fully landscaped and in good condition! These things are just down to rate surely?! I’m absolutely astounded by this and we’ve told them we will not be renegotiating at all. They can buy the house or walk away.

Can anyone else confirm if they would/ wouldn’t renegotiate after a survey for trivial matters? I didn’t think this was the norm to be honest. The email they’ve sent demanding 5k is pretty awful too.

OP posts:
hedgehogger1 · 22/12/2020 14:31

Er what else are doors made of?

Original poster
Amerimoon · 22/12/2020 14:56

Will update once we have more news!! They have until the end of the day today to let the EA know if they’re continuing - if not, house is back on the market tomorrow 9am.

OP posts:
Mutunus · 22/12/2020 15:01

Our would be buyer did a tour round the house and it was pointed out to them that the house had damp problems, the rear roof needed attention and the electrics in the old part of the house needed updating. They made an offer £35,000 under asking price which we eventually accepted because in fairness the work needed doing. They've had a survey done and now want to drop the price by another £50,000. Although we need to sell eventually I think this a bit cheeky!

sueelleker · 22/12/2020 15:05

@Mutunus

Our would be buyer did a tour round the house and it was pointed out to them that the house had damp problems, the rear roof needed attention and the electrics in the old part of the house needed updating. They made an offer £35,000 under asking price which we eventually accepted because in fairness the work needed doing. They've had a survey done and now want to drop the price by another £50,000. Although we need to sell eventually I think this a bit cheeky!
So they think the work will cost £85,000?
Mutunus · 22/12/2020 15:24

Lord knows. They just said drop by £50,000 and decide by end of day.

Salome61 · 22/12/2020 15:35

Sorry Mutunus, my chancer of a buyer did this too. Offered £45K under asking - then another £50K less after the survey. I'm sure your house was priced to reflect condition, they are just trying it on.

VinylDetective · 22/12/2020 15:50

@justanotherneighinparadise

Just know that this won’t stop if you know them back at this stage. They’ll wait until the last moment and demand the same 5k off before exchange. And then you’ll be forced to say yes as you’d lose too much money otherwise.
And OP will tell them to piss off just like I did the FTB who tried that nonsense the day before we exchanged. The buyer has just as much to lose as the seller at that point.
pineapples56 · 22/12/2020 16:25

It's so infuriating, buyers do as many viewings as they need and they must realise it's a 'sold as seen' transaction. Surveyors come in and point out every crack and crease and suddenly suggest £x off the agreed price. Of course I get that you need a survey but it quickly descends into a nit-picking exercise and a lot of back and forth over nothing material. Absolutely do not renegotiate...if they've come this far they're welcome to lose it and start unreasonable demands on another property. There should almost be a property buying/selling etiquette course and exam to take before anyone's allowed on the ladder! (sorry rant over :))

strawberry2017 · 22/12/2020 16:26

I could understand if major issues had been flagged but what they are talking about is personal preferences and nothing more.
That is ridiculously cheeky and I'm glad you are not standing for it.
I hate game players like this.

Original poster
Amerimoon · 22/12/2020 16:42

We’ve just had a call from EA to say they’re willing to compromise and accept 2.5k off agreed price and she has agreed that for us. We’ve told them no thanks and advised to go ahead and put the house on market tomorrow morning. I felt as though EA was actually on their side a bit, she was saying “yes but do you really want to lose the whole sale for only 2.5k?” We stuck to our guns anyway and she said she’d call them back and make it clear what was happening. 5 minutes later we had another call from EA saying they’ll discuss tonight and let us know at 9am. FFS

OP posts:
Grooticle · 22/12/2020 16:43

They’re obviously trying it on, and your EA is not being helpful! Nothing on that list should lead to any price reduction. Stick to your guns!

SoupDragon · 22/12/2020 16:46

5 minutes later we had another call from EA saying they’ll discuss tonight and let us know at 9am.

Cheeky fuckers! If you are adamant about not reducing, I would tell the agents that it is to go back on the market at 9am.

thegcatsmother · 22/12/2020 16:47

I'd be telling the EA she works for you, not them, and if she wishes the house to be sold, then she sticks to your line, tyvm!

Original poster
Amerimoon · 22/12/2020 16:48

@SoupDragon yes to be fair, we are tempted to just do this. DH says let’s give them until 9am and see what they say - if no agreement it’ll be up at 9.30 for sure. I think EA just wants her commission, she did seem to agree the email was loony bit said we should compromise just for ease which we’re not doing

OP posts:
MatildaonaWaltzer · 22/12/2020 16:50

I'd probably also move to another agent at that point - what on earth does she think she's doing accepting a financial proposal on your behalf?!

Bargebill19 · 22/12/2020 16:50

I would be finding another estate agent as well as another buyer. Cf both of them!

MatildaonaWaltzer · 22/12/2020 16:52

fistbump bargebill!
OP, given your agent seems hard of thinking on this issue, perhaps you should ask her to send you the draft particulars for re-approval or some other practical thing which will demonstrate to her that you're absolutely serious about remarketing because she doesn't seem to have grasped that point

sunshinesupermum · 22/12/2020 16:54

Can't believe your EA - just wants to get the house sold so the money goes on the books. I would change your EA if you can and remarked. Your so called buyers are CFs.

Bargebill19 · 22/12/2020 16:54

🤜 !

Original poster
Amerimoon · 22/12/2020 16:56

Right we’ve now had another call - the buyers are happy to go ahead at the agreed price apparently!! Shock 🥳

OP posts:
Original poster
Amerimoon · 22/12/2020 16:57

Off to drink some champagne! Thanks for all the advice everyone - I still think they’re loons but praying for a smooth exchange in January now!!!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/12/2020 16:58

If it's "only" £2.5k the estate agent can pay it out their commission!

Bacter · 22/12/2020 16:59

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Salome61 · 22/12/2020 17:00

Congratulations Amerimoon! No card and wine for them!

I've just watched one of the 'live in the sun' programmes - old couple offered £190K on a £241K property because it needed 'updating'!! Boils my p!

Bacter · 22/12/2020 17:00

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