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Original poster

Buyer screwed us over today

362 replies

MrsBaublesDylan · 12/01/2022 13:55

Our FTB emailed the EA today to demand a £25k price reduction based on the work highlighted in the homebuyers report which they received 2 months ago.

All non-essential work, obvious to anyone viewing the house.

When they offered, it was at the very bottom of our range and we accepted without negotiation.

We were due to exchange in a couple of weeks.

They know we are moving for financial reasons, that we have a disabled child who I am a ft carer for and two other children.

They know that we either loose our home, or sell up, move area so we can buy out right and live mortgage free.

We said a flat no and unless they let the EA know today if they want to proceed at the agreed price, then we will put the house back on the market.

The money and our circs aside, how can some people feel it's ok to put people under this type of pressure?

We had some good news recently, but both dh and I agree that without it, the possibility of loosing the flat we want to buy and not being able to afford the mortgage on our current house, would have made us feel suicidal.

We'll be ok but it is depressing to know there are people with no integrity, who choose to live in a way which causes catastrophic harm to their fellow human beings.

OP posts:
JustUseTheDoorSanta · 12/01/2022 14:46

Sorry you've come across some tossers. I hope you have lots more good luck to balance it out.

Reallycantbesarsed · 12/01/2022 14:49

@Aposterhasnoname

Bastards. I’d be tempted to say no and actually the price has just gone up £25k, how do you like that, fuckers? Appreciate that’s not possible in your circumstances , but it’s nice to dream.
Exactly my thoughts😂
BlackSwan · 12/01/2022 14:51

Savages. You can only imagine they're being egged on by lowlife scum estate agents.

mummymummymummummum · 12/01/2022 14:51

So so stressful for you. Hopefully it'll turn out to have been then chancing their arm, and they'll agree to proceed as previously agreed. And you'll be exchanging contacts before the month is out 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Catswhisky · 12/01/2022 14:53

@BlackSwan

Savages. You can only imagine they're being egged on by lowlife scum estate agents.
Why do you think that? The estate agent is acting for the seller not the buyer, and it’s certainly not in their interest to lose a sale and their commission!
KickAssAngel · 12/01/2022 14:54

I live in the Us and here there's a limited number of days to respond to problems found in the report. Once that time is passed, the buyer has accepted the home as is and can only re-negotiate if there was something written into the contract - e.g. you've agreed a date of sale and someone wants to change it.

Itsalmostanaccessory · 12/01/2022 14:55

Losing the flat you have your eye on won't be the end of the world!
Have you had a look to see what else is available? Is there a lot where you are looking or is choice really limited?

Don't panic about anything until you have their answer today. Losing them as buyers might be a good thing as they might mess you around later. Get the house back on the market!

Roselilly36 · 12/01/2022 14:55

Unfortunately some people have absolutely no integrity. Completely unacceptable thing to do, particularly if they know your circumstances.

We moved recently, our buyers tried to knock us down, we refused and for us, it worked out. So keep the faith. Our sale went through at the originally agreed price.

Keeping everything crossed for you OP, do not leave them a house warming gift under any circumstances, after pulling a stunt like this.

EmmaH2022 · 12/01/2022 14:56

@BlackSwan

Savages. You can only imagine they're being egged on by lowlife scum estate agents.
Er...that makes no sense.
Roselilly36 · 12/01/2022 14:57

@BlackSwan

Savages. You can only imagine they're being egged on by lowlife scum estate agents.
I agree with you, the Estate Agent, we PAID, was definitely more for our buyers, trying to get us to reduce the price etc.
whynotwhatknot · 12/01/2022 14:57

i hate the non rules shall we say in england

its like a free for all to do as you please-it needs changing

Gargellen · 12/01/2022 14:59

I had this. I was selling a building plot. The buyer wanted to knock 50k off the price. I wasn't advertising through an estate agent, just a private arrangement that we shook on. I went quiet and sold it for the agreed price to another person. The original buyer then started sending me solicitors letters because he said I had reneged on the deal. I ignored those too! Twat.

Dixiechickonhols · 12/01/2022 15:00

You’ve done right thing. I think some FTB are influenced by parents who haven’t got a clue re current market etc.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 12/01/2022 15:01

Some people have absolutely no scruples/morals. What utter bastards. The house buying system in England is the pits.

Butchyrestingface · 12/01/2022 15:03

@BlackSwan

Savages. You can only imagine they're being egged on by lowlife scum estate agents.
Only if the estate agents are their mums and dads.

Glad I live in Scotland. So sorry, OP. Hope you find new buyers soon if this pair pull out.

And I concur with what a PP said about keeping your reasons for moving close to your chest in future.

wishmyhousetidy · 12/01/2022 15:03

this happened to us- but by the seller. It had been a very lengthy process due to their paperwork not being in order and on the week of exchange they decided that in the six months it had taken the house prices had risen and they wanted £30k more. We said no but it was heartbreaking and it means that the market has changed in the time we wasted and we are unlikely now to be able to move from a flat to a house.
People can be despicable really- they made a verbal contract they should stick with it. Understand how you

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 12/01/2022 15:03

I wouldn't respond at all. Straight back on the market today. Id rather take £25k less from someone else!

arethereanyleftatall · 12/01/2022 15:04

@sillysmiles

The money and our circs aside, how can some people feel it's ok to put people under this type of pressure?

Because it is a business transaction and 25K in their pocket is better than yours (to them). While it has personal implications - it is not a personal attack on you and your family.

They know we are moving for financial reasons Why would you ever let a buyer know your financial weakness. It completely undermines your negotiating stand point.

No. It's because they're arseholes.

It's a horrible horrible thing to do.

I'm so glad for you op that you were in a position to stand your ground.

I would put the price up to them now. I'm d be 💯 happy to cut off my nose to spite my face in a bid to do my bit too stop this vile practice.

stealthninjamum · 12/01/2022 15:04

Op I’m glad you said no, hopefully these scumbags won’t behave like that again.

Good luck finding a new buyer.

NowEvenBetter · 12/01/2022 15:06

I’d want to put it back on the market, say nah to the pisstakers and that their actions mean you’re unwilling to deal with them again, thanks, bye.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/01/2022 15:06

Just go back and say the property is riced to reflect these things as discussed at the viewing

TheLeadbetterLife · 12/01/2022 15:07

Someone tried this with my mum, when she was selling her parents' old home. She told the CF to do one, and when he came crawling back at the original offer price, she really told him to do one and put it back on the market, just to spite him. I hope he learned his lesson.

NowEvenBetter · 12/01/2022 15:07

It would give me so much happiness to not only reject them, but to say that the price is now £30,000 higher than the previous price 😊

theNumbersStation · 12/01/2022 15:07

Of course it is a business transaction and emotions shouldn’t come into it.

But they do because it isn’t just a property but people too.

There is no harm in negotiating a discount. Why wouldn’t you?

But you don’t wait until months/weeks after you receive the homebuyer report to do so.

And you don’t spring it on the seller at the last minute (or even with just a couple of weeks to go).

It is the behaviour of chancers and dare I say arses.

arethereanyleftatall · 12/01/2022 15:08

The only good thing is that they will have had more costs than you. Serves them right.