Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Survey came back not what we need to hear

78 replies

Themadcatparade · 05/07/2022 19:05

We are in the middle of buying our dream home, first home also, we have been looking for over two years now so we finally have somewhere we are 100% for and this has been a super anxious time.

High interest in this property amongst viewers. We offered over asking and after a little bit of bidding our offer got accepted at 12k over. Luckily for us, the bank valued it at what we offered so we didn’t have to make the difference up. Happy days.

The sellers wanted to exchange within 4 weeks which was ambitious, they have a property ready to move in to and wanted the sale completed as smoothly and as quick as possible. This raised red flags for us, as they only bought it last year but their story seemed straight enough.

It took 3 weeks for our mortgage offer to come though, we had previously asked if they had done a survey last year and they said no. So we went ahead to arrange a building survey only to find that the sellers tried blocking the surveyors even making an appointment.

Again this raised red flags for us, so we persisted. It took three back and forth phone calls for us to push having this survey as the seller was insisting a ‘no’ to a survey being done.

Anyway the survey has come back and basically there are a handful of issues that are going to be very expensive structurally to sort. It’s going to need the whole roof redoing for one, and we have been advised to do it sooner rather than later. There are other issues also which have had us worried but can be fixed but again this will be at a cost to us.

The EA and sellers have told us repeatedly that they will not budge on the sale price before now. I spoke to my partner today and said the best thing to do would be to get a quote for redoing the roof and see if they can take this (or a sum of it) off the sale price. He seems to think that they won’t budge (and I think he’s right they have been arsey from the start) but I feel like we have solid reasons for asking.

So far, we have been blocked from using our own solicitor (EA told us that they would have to drop out of the sale if we used the first person we chose) so we backed down, and then we got blocked from doing a survey which was bizarre in itself, and now we have this outcome I feel like it will be the same story again - take it or leave it.

Can anyone offer any advice? I’m going to be so heartbroken if we have to drop out of this house, but I’ve said to my partner we are at risk of potentially having thousands of pounds that we do not have fixing our house up.

Also - can a surveys result affect the value of the sale or potentially decrease the amount the bank has offered to loan?

OP posts:
caringcarer · 05/07/2022 21:24

Pull out, this is not your dream house, this is your nightmare house.

MarmiteCoriander · 05/07/2022 21:32

So far, we have been blocked from using our own solicitor (EA told us that they would have to drop out of the sale if we used the first person we chose)

So the EA convinced you to use their own solicitor, who they would get a large kick back from and charge you more??? Are you serious??? Can you even read what you have written OP? And now the home owners also used to work at the same EA!!! What kick back are they getting? I honestly don't think you can see how many red flags this is and how dodgy it is.

Also- why on earth are you dealing with the EA now? Of course any financial negotiations go via the solicitor. Its absolutely nothing to do with the EA! Oh hang on- the same solicitors the EA and home owners wanted!

apapuchi · 05/07/2022 21:33

Oh gosh, even forgetting the issues in the survey and how big/small or urgent they may or may not be... moving after a year would be a huge RF for me (of course there are legitimate reasons) and the pushiness and bossy attitude. You will find somewhere you love again and hopefully without these issues. Wishing you loads of luck on the hunt.

cobden28 · 05/07/2022 21:36

If the vendor won't allow you to have a survey done on the properety then I'd immediately wonder what they've got to hide about the place and would immediately withdraw any offer I'd made. You chose what solicitor you want to use, they don't have the right to tell you what solicitor to use!

Hunkydory99 · 05/07/2022 21:47

Surveyor here - If the roof is dipping OP, it isn’t just a case of new under felt and slates ie typical expectations of a ‘new roof’ there’s the potential for new joists and trusses needed you’ll be looking at a lot more than £9k. Being a mid terrace too may mean Party Wall Notices are needed to include scaffolding in your neighbours gardens - all of which will be at cost to you the owner.
Youve seen and identified the red flags, I’d get some quotes for work. If they prevent you, pull out. If they pull out due to speed of exchange then they’ve done you a favour.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 05/07/2022 21:49

They are behaving extremely unethically (if not illegally)
If you want to teach them a lesson about unethical behaviour, drop your offer by £40k the morning of exchange.
Forget the house though...

BeeEllEyePeePeeEye · 05/07/2022 22:01

Yes the survey will effect your mortgage offer, we found our 'dream house' and the offer was pulled pretty much the next day. House was an absolute money dump. Literally everything was falling apart or had an expensive issue. Big suit was a buy to let 🙄

Run, run now, don't waste money on quotes or ideas. It's a blood sucker.

DogInATent · 05/07/2022 22:06

Roof doesn't sound like a huge issue - unless the bowing is due to overweight, usually caused by concrete tiles being used to replace an originally slate roof. That would be a significant problem (easily spotted, the ridge will dip like a saddle). Re-felting with new battens, and re-setting the roof is normal periodic repairs and renewals.

The retaining wall could be a much bigger issue.

Tbh though, it sounds like your Seller was fully aware of all these issues. And the risk is that they are aware of more than the Surveyor found. I'd walk away, cut my losses on the Survey cost as a valuable lesson learned and a problem dodged.

DogInATent · 05/07/2022 22:07

Oh, and report the EA for being an arse to their trade body. I missed the bit about blocking your solicitor choice - that's wrong and unethical.

Didicat · 05/07/2022 22:11

@Hairyeleri we thought we’d found our dream house, survey said otherwise had the big jobs costed up…. Asked to renegotiate the price by 1/2 ( was during the Rishi £15k stamp duty relief) they refused…. I told them to keep their liability. In the end they sold for less than our reduced offer….. I know the new owners - they told them the previous 2 people couldn’t sort their mortgage. Luckily they are in the building trade but estate agents are LIARS!

run for the hills @Themadcatparade it sounds like a money pit! I found another very different dream home, there is a better house out there for you!

HelloAllll · 05/07/2022 22:25

For all you know it could have been the property seller that has demanded a change in solocitor. I dropped our buyer after they instructed poor solicitors. I couldnt care less who they use, as long as they reputable, competent and not going to cause me delays and issues. The reviews online said everything i needed to know - this was not a company i wanted involved in the process. Their online estate agent had already caused issues so i had no faith in them either

TheYearOfSmallThings · 05/07/2022 22:31

I don't think the vendors are arseholes for saying "this is the price, we're not selling for less". If the house is in demand, they can probably get what they are asking for, and it will not come as a surprise to most that an old house needs work. Surveyors always suggest a ton of work, which is why your DP is less fazed by this.

By all means walk away if you don't want the hassle or can't afford it - there are plenty of other houses out there that don't need a new roof.

Blowthemandown · 05/07/2022 22:34

Usually a lender will reduce the loan amount if the survey or valuation comes out low. They don’t want to be exposed by lending too much they might not get back if you default and they have to sell. Did you have a full survey or just home buyer’s report?

The EA is on the seller’s side (especially in this case). Your solicitor should be able to advise you but you need to get quotes and then negotiate a reduction. A full survey would have helped as it’s more detail than a valuation for mortgage or even the home buyer’s report.

Icepinkeskimo · 05/07/2022 22:45

This could be the start of a horror story for you and your husband.

I hate to write this, but it sounds like you are being stitched up, and I seriously advise you to withdraw your offer immediately and walk away.

With the highlighted defects already flagged by the surveyor, I would hazard a guess there will be at least another 15 serious latent defects.

You have been bullied undoubtedly from day one when your offer got accepted. Unfortunately buyers look at a property through rose tinted glasses and form an emotional attachment believing that they will be able to cope with the remedial works that need doing.

The truth is simply this, if you do proceed, you should be aware that construction
materials and labour rates are currently at an all time high.

The vendor is not willing to compromise on the asking price!

You are between a rock and a hard place OP, a vendor, a estate agent and a solicitor who is in the pocket of the estate agent, the speed of the sale, the vendors who have the arrogance to
refuse a survey. It's a horror story waiting to happen.

Let's just throw the biggest latent defect into the mix subsidence, that party wall could be the tip of the iceberg.

I would not advise you to walk away, I would advise you to run as fast as you can.

Trust me there will be a better property for you than this one.

limitededitionbarbie · 05/07/2022 23:47

Icepinkeskimo · 05/07/2022 22:45

This could be the start of a horror story for you and your husband.

I hate to write this, but it sounds like you are being stitched up, and I seriously advise you to withdraw your offer immediately and walk away.

With the highlighted defects already flagged by the surveyor, I would hazard a guess there will be at least another 15 serious latent defects.

You have been bullied undoubtedly from day one when your offer got accepted. Unfortunately buyers look at a property through rose tinted glasses and form an emotional attachment believing that they will be able to cope with the remedial works that need doing.

The truth is simply this, if you do proceed, you should be aware that construction
materials and labour rates are currently at an all time high.

The vendor is not willing to compromise on the asking price!

You are between a rock and a hard place OP, a vendor, a estate agent and a solicitor who is in the pocket of the estate agent, the speed of the sale, the vendors who have the arrogance to
refuse a survey. It's a horror story waiting to happen.

Let's just throw the biggest latent defect into the mix subsidence, that party wall could be the tip of the iceberg.

I would not advise you to walk away, I would advise you to run as fast as you can.

Trust me there will be a better property for you than this one.

I loved reading that post. It could have been about anything and I would have still enjoyed it and have read until the end.

Lysianthus · 05/07/2022 23:55

PPs have had excellent advice but I'll just say that if it's not meant to be, and you know it deep down, another one will be along in a minute. Good luck Op

HeddaGarbled · 06/07/2022 00:04

You are a first time buyer. Your first house will not be your dream house. Your first house will be a nice house that you can afford. One day, you might, or more likely not, be able to afford your dream house, but certainly not yet. You’re letting this unrealistic dream house nonsense blind you to the obvious flaws of this property. Be sensible.

Ticksallboxes · 06/07/2022 06:50

Agree with everyone saying RUN! What a shady bunch...

Also who sells after just a year?? It must be because of the astronomical cost of fixing everything that's going wrong.

Trixiefirecracker · 06/07/2022 07:16

As first time buyers you always think ‘ it’s your dream home’ but believe me something else will come along that’s a lot less complicated. Ted flags all over this one and they are playing you.

RampantIvy · 06/07/2022 07:31

It isn't a dream home. It 'a nightmare home, and will be a money pit.

Walk away.

MumOfNowGrownupKids · 06/07/2022 07:39

Have you watched "Mr Blandings Builds his Dream House"?
Don't buy this house.

BlueMongoose · 14/07/2022 14:56

We tried to by a house and got gazumped. Only afterwards did we find that the vendor actually worked for the house agent selling it.
If any house agent had the brass neck to tell me I couldn't use my own solicitor ( short of them being the exact same solicitor as the vendor had already chosen) I'd tell them to go and do one. Anyone trying to block a surveyor has something nasty to hide, and is not the sort of person I'd want to do business with. I don't play games.

Youaremysunshine14 · 14/07/2022 18:33

So many red flags! The fact that they tried to stop your surveyor going round speaks volumes. Have you checked whether the house was listed before but the sale fell through? Because I wonder if the solicitor you wanted to appoint was involved in that sale, and knows the issues with the building, and that's why they baulked at you using them.

But, for me, the worry would be the stuff the surveyor didn't see, like beneath the floorboards etc. If big structural stuff needs doing, you can bet there will be loads of small stuff that needs sorting as well.

Doubleraspberry · 15/07/2022 16:09

I viewed a house not long ago that had just come back on the market after the sale fell through. I asked about it, and the agent told me the survey had come back with some things that the buyers had been nervous about but weren't important, giving examples and making it sound like they were being quite precious.

A couple of days later I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in ages, and it turned out she was the buyer who had pulled out. The house was unmortgageable. The agent was a total liar.

birdsinthegarden · 15/07/2022 16:38

The fact that they're moving after about a year of owning it, speaks volumes! What else do they know about the house that the survey hasn't picked up? The fact that they're trying to rush you through the process tells me there's something seriously wrong with this place. It sounds like a money pit!