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Buyers Sellers Roll Call 15

999 replies

MotherofHeathens · 27/04/2021 09:59

Because we're nearly at the end of the other thread and still inflicting this torture on ourselves...!

OP posts:
BakeOffRewatch · 28/05/2021 15:20

We might have to pull out of our purchase which tastes bitter given we’ve spent £900 on survey and searches. The EA gave the impression they’re not open to negotiation. The bricks are crumbling on the side you can’t see argh.

Booked lots of viewings for the weekend but don’t like being back to driving around to viewings all weekend with a baby!

Newhousehope · 28/05/2021 15:31

I found the FENSA certificate for 8 windows and 2 doors that were fitted the year we moved in (not by us) But we only have 7 windows.... 🤷🏽‍♀️

TheFunBus · 28/05/2021 16:32

oh god @Newhousehope and @Panda368 - we had the side extension done (plus new windows) in 2019 but the builder went bust. I'm not even sure I have all those certificates. Luckily I found the completion one from building control but not anything else argh!

MedusasBadHairDay · 28/05/2021 16:38

@MedusasBadHairDay how old is the covenant and have neighbours breached it too? those sort of things always worry me too particularly when it goes against the main reason you wanted it in the first place

It's from the 80's, it looks like the neighbours have breached it too (though they may have obtained permission from the council). I know we could just risk it, but we've also seen some horror stories of how much councils could charge for a breach. So it could be a very expensive risk.

TheFunBus · 28/05/2021 16:57

no I wouldn't risk it either @MedusasBadHairDay. We just had to take out indemnity insurance for (unknown) restrictive covenants for our buyer but I totally get where they were coming from

have just found you can order Fensa certificates online!

TheFunBus · 28/05/2021 17:00

@MedusasBadHairDay can you check if the neighbours applied for planning permission on the planning portal? we are looking at a house where the off street parking is not official. EA and owner keeps saying it's fine. We looked up online and the house 2 doors down (further away from the junction which I think being close to is causing the parking not to be official) has been refused planning permission for it twice. Even though they have been doing it for 20 years, I know it would be just our luck that the minute we bought it, the council would clamp down on it! As it's on a main road with no parking, it's pretty key so we aren't going to offer on the house. I'm glad I checked though!

MedusasBadHairDay · 28/05/2021 17:29

[quote TheFunBus]@MedusasBadHairDay can you check if the neighbours applied for planning permission on the planning portal? we are looking at a house where the off street parking is not official. EA and owner keeps saying it's fine. We looked up online and the house 2 doors down (further away from the junction which I think being close to is causing the parking not to be official) has been refused planning permission for it twice. Even though they have been doing it for 20 years, I know it would be just our luck that the minute we bought it, the council would clamp down on it! As it's on a main road with no parking, it's pretty key so we aren't going to offer on the house. I'm glad I checked though![/quote]
Afaik it's not the same as planning permission, so not going to show up.

We've emailed the council to ask what kind of things would or wouldn't get permission, and what kind of charge there'd be to either gain permission or have the covenant removed. Hopefully we'll get a useful answer. We've also asked our solicitors advice on whether we'd be liable for the changes the sellers have made.

Newhousehope · 28/05/2021 20:07

Oh no @BakeOffRewatch! Would you proceed if they were to negotiate on some way?

Cantbebotheredtothinkofaname · 28/05/2021 21:51

We’ve made some good progress today, the work we needed to do has been completed and the certificates sent off. Hopefully the buyers will get their mortgage offer next week. Other than that there isn’t a lot to do other than wait, my solicitors have responded to the first batch of the buyers queries, there wasn’t anything particularly concerning in them. Our estate agent thinks we might be able to start talking dates soon! I think realistically it will be July, and have budgeted the stamp duty in as well.

LaMariposa · 29/05/2021 08:02

We are in packing hell. Completing on Tuesday - we have a weekend of moving stuff to the new house (the house/garage is empty and we are allowed to move in boxes to the garage and garden furniture) packing, cleaning...

I’ve just finished writing handover notes for our buyers, and I’m thinking of leaving them a bottle of wine.

Newhousehope · 29/05/2021 08:24

That’s handy @LaMariposa
I still don’t know how people do it 🤣 the packing and actual moving bit is freaking me out and we are no where near yet 🙈

BakeOffRewatch · 29/05/2021 18:59

Yeah we would consider if vendors were open to negotiation but they’re landlords who’ll just rent again if they can’t sell. That’s what the EA told me anyway. We’ve pulled out now, if I didn’t ask the surveyor to write the survey and give advice I only pay for their time on the day, huge saving.

Viewed 3 places today. Still mourning the house we pulled out of though, it met all our location and size criteria. So difficult to view with open mind these new places.

BabyPotato · 29/05/2021 21:15

It's certainly encouraging to read that some people in this thread are getting there and actually moving! I'm sure we'll all get there in the end. Smile

I'm getting a bit nervous because we've just sold our house and therefore now able to attend viewings. Except that the (tiny and almost niche) area that we want to buy in has zero houses available. Sad I have no idea how long it will take us to find a place, but I've spoken to a few agents and they all say that there's not a lot going at the moment. I feel like we've missed the boat a little bit. Luckily we can, and probably will, move in with my MIL who already lives in the area, so the pressure is off a bit and our son can start school there, but my heart just sinks when I think that we may well be living there this Christmas. Confused My MIL is absolutely lovely and the house has more than enough room for us all, but I'm such a homey person that I need my own little nest to feel secure. But we'll see how it goes...

Actually viewed a house today and it was beautiful and in great condition. But it was next to a really busy bypass and the noise was just unbearable. Such a shame.

Newhousehope · 30/05/2021 09:53

Fingers crossed something comes up @BabyPotato - I know how frustrating this bit is.

We too saw a lovely house, that was perfect, but the road was awful. Cars everywhere. No where to manoeuvre. Couldn’t compromise on that

WineAcademy · 30/05/2021 10:08

Hello hello! Been hoping to join this thread for ages, but with one thing and another (mostly attempting to secure a new, higher paid job) I am now finally here. :)

We have a broker who has crunched the numbers but not yet sorted an AIP, I think we will need to get him to do that soon. We haven't found a house yet, but I'm obsessively searching, as one does.

The ideal home would have a decent sized garden with wide open views, en suite, and an office as I wfh. The holy grail, basically...

TheFunBus · 31/05/2021 18:07

Good luck @WineAcademy

@MedusasBadHairDay I really hope you get some good news

Keep your fingers crossed for us. We have had a cash buyer's offer on 2nd property complete with a letter from the potential buyer telling us why they want to buy it (it was lovely) plus a target completion date for number 1 of 21st June.

We went to see 2 and have offered on the doer upper - only problem is that the sellers have already reduced the price once (London) and the estate agent told us they may prefer someone with a shorter chain. We have said we won't be mucked around and we have offered asking price. We find out tomorrow if they will accept it. Argh! Will be upset if we don't get it - we love the location and it's a beautiful old Victorian terrace with parking and a garden and the only one in our price range! But it needs total gutting/rewiring/plastic topped lean to etc.!

LaMariposa · 01/06/2021 08:48

Moving day today! We paid for the gold service and they packed everything yesterday bar the TV bed and sofa. Today I’m sitting on the sofa while everything goes into their vans, and then need to do a bit of cleaning.

Newhousehope · 01/06/2021 10:28

Ooh congratulations and good luck @LaMariposa!
Do you have glorious sunshine as well?!

I’m still checking my emails every 10 mins, just in case 🤣🤷🏽‍♀️

LaMariposa · 01/06/2021 10:38

Loads of sunshine! I can’t wait to be sat on our new patio tonight in the sun drinking champagne.

Newhousehope · 01/06/2021 10:52

@LaMariposa

Loads of sunshine! I can’t wait to be sat on our new patio tonight in the sun drinking champagne.
Moving day GOAL!!
WineAcademy · 01/06/2021 11:01

Good luck for the move, @LaMariposa!

Fingers duly crossed, @TheFunBus.

Thanks for the welcome - nothing to report, but I'll be dipping in and out for sure. :)

Paddingtonthebear · 01/06/2021 11:02

Mortgage valuation has come back and it’s £25k under. Looks like we will have to pull out 🙁

Panda368 · 01/06/2021 11:22

@Paddingtonthebear I would look at re-negotiating here before pulling out - or get a survey valuation if that comes back 25K below also that will give you more leverage.

Or if the survey is much higher I would argue the toss with the mortgage company - especially if it was only a desktop valuation.

Paddingtonthebear · 01/06/2021 11:43

The estate agent said he will call the sellers but says the vendor is highly unlikely to reduce the price at all and we can’t take the hit and increase our deposit so I don’t think there’s anywhere to go really

Panda368 · 01/06/2021 11:55

I guess it depends on how keen they are to sell because there is an argument that any buyer will have the same problem you are having.

You can also offer to meet in the middle - if you can afford to.

I would be going back to the mortgage company and asking wtf. It might be as simple as a desktop survey and they haven't appreciated that the house is in a much better state of repair / has had a lot of money spent on it or very few houses locally have sold.

I know a few people who have had this happen and have managed to get the mortgage company to re-value or re-assess based on providing more info and a home buyers survey with a better valuation.

failing that - can you change mortgage company?