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Original poster

Do you think something is dodgy here?

13 replies

LeopardsAndPine · 23/01/2022 21:02

House went up on Zoopla 10 days ago, priced at 450k.
I rang up the next day and booked a viewing for later in the week.
The day after that (so still before viewing), the price was reduced to 425k. (That’s a bit weird, no? When someone has already expressed an interest and it’s only been on 2 days)

Anyway, we looked round the house, liked it but it’s small for price etc. We then googled.

It sold in 2019 for 265k.
It then sold at auction in Nov 2021 (so 2 months ago!) for 345k.
And now it’s on for 425k.

Now I know prices have gone up, but that is … steep! But also - what happened in November? Did the sale at auction go through and we’re now buying from brand-new vendor? Or did sale somehow not go through and if not, why not? Dodgy survey? Or the vendor just decided to hold on and try to get another 100k out of this?

I rang the agents, and they were full of “oh gosh, no idea. We’re just selling the house! We don’t know any details!”

Is it just me, or does this timeline seem a bit concerning? Who would we even be buying from?!

OP posts:

Original poster

LeopardsAndPine · 23/01/2022 21:03

I should say - we quite like the house! I’m not going out of my way to look for something dodgy. So I’m very happy to be reassured too!

OP posts:

Hellocatshome · 23/01/2022 21:05

Does it matter who you are buying from? Your solicitors will sort all that out. A house is only worth what someone is willing to pay. If you like it offer what it is worth to you and they will either accept or not.

BiscuitLover3678 · 23/01/2022 21:07

Someone bought it flipped it like homes under the hammer?
It’s sensible to be cautious. Can you check out neighbours? Go with your gut op.

Original poster

LeopardsAndPine · 23/01/2022 21:11

@Hellocatshome

Well I guess it matters because it seems worrying to me that potentially a sale fell through only two months ago - I’d like to know why before I spend money on solicitor etc. Or else someone is selling after less than 2 months’ ownership which … also doesn’t feel great!

OP posts:

SquashMinus · 23/01/2022 21:13

I believe that many lenders aren't happy with a house that's already sold within the previous 6 months, so if you need a mortgage that's something to bear in mind. Does sound like someone has bought it, done some renovation and is hoping to quickly flip it, any chance of finding the original advert from November to see what's been done to warrant the price increase?

Theunamedcat · 23/01/2022 21:13

Has the house been done up at all?

CombatBarbie · 23/01/2022 21:16

Is it newly decorated? Highly likely it has been bought at auction for a quick profit flip and sell. Really common.

mobear · 23/01/2022 21:17

It could be it needed a full reno at £265k, someone bought it and ran out of money and sold it part done for £345k, that person finished it and decided to sell? Or there could be hell-ish neighbours. Really hard to tell. I’d try to find as much information as you can, and if you can’t get to the bottom of it if I was in your position I’d probably steer clear.

Original poster

LeopardsAndPine · 23/01/2022 21:17

@SquashMinus

Oh wow, I didn’t no that! Sounds like the mortgage thing will stop us anyway then! Thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

LeopardsAndPine · 23/01/2022 21:20

The house had already been done up in the auction photos (Nov 21). No difference between those and the house as we saw it, except a sofa and a bed had been taken out.

Interestingly, the house next door looked empty, and had building rubble on front drive.

Ok, we have to step away from this house I think!

OP posts:

greenlynx · 23/01/2022 21:29

It very much depends on how the house looked at 2019 and 2021. It could be refurbished or extended or both at some point and the price went up . It could be that someone bought it in 2021, did quick refreshing ( nothing major, just to make it brighter and more presentable) and now hoping for a big profit because of the situation on the housing market.
Estate agents won’t tell you anything or even might lie. If you are so worried you can buy deeds and google as much info about the auction to find photos etc.
Also visit the area at different time, you might notice something. The potential problems depend on the type of the house or area. It could be noise or smell or bats or something else or just plain personal reasons.

greenlynx · 23/01/2022 21:33

Oh it might be a house next door we’ve got similar once. The seller said that neighbors were doing the house. We’ve bought its deeds and it’s obvious that there was a problem with ownership so we went away. It was 6 years ago, these neighbors are still “doing” the house. We’ve bought in a different area but often passing by.

JenniferAlisonPhilippaSue · 23/01/2022 21:47

I don’t think there’s anything dodgy here at all. This is just how some people make money, as annoying as it is. And be happy they realised it was overpriced and put it down already. Zoopla should have whether it was just an advertised price or a sold price. It’s likely the register hasn’t been updated yet as bit of a delay.

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