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Original poster

Is this normal practice for buyer

150 replies

tottielottie · 15/08/2022 13:05

I have had an offer from FTB who has managed to negotiate me down and had multiple viewings about 5 so far to show every one of her family members. I am not practised in buying and selling and feel a bit alone with what is best to do. This delay or multiple visits means my flat has been in for a while.

She also said to the estate agent that me putting the money down means my place isn't worth that much!

A man put a smart meter in put a sign up saying the consumer unit could be changed not urgent and it would cost about £150.

Her level 3 surveyor (who upsells his services) came round and said that the whole place needs rewiring because he didn't notice the pre payment meter had run out of money and saw the sign the smart meter man left.
He also put in the report he tried to rip up my flooring. He also left all my blinds up and cupboard doors open and ripped my wallpaper.

My solicitor has said that her solicitor is being a naughty asking me to pay for things like gas safety tests and more etc and that I should refuse.

Now the estate agent said that she wants another visit this week and getting in a builder, plumber and electrician for quotes. He said this is a good sign.

Is this normal to do before exchange? Also should I be there to supervise this time.

Please help!

OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 15/08/2022 14:32

When did she put her offer in? How far in are you?

Normal viewings would be 1 or 2 before offering, possibly one to measure up after that.

If you put it back on the market it will just look like you had something fall through, don’t worry about that.

Did you have any other interest when it was originally on?

I would consider ditching her unless you’re close to exchange. Are searches back etc?

that1970shouse · 15/08/2022 14:33

Yes, we all think she is going to ask you to drop the price further. Don't.

The estate agent thinks they've found you a buyer so they don't want to do any more work! Put a rocket up them and tell them to get the buyer to exchange contracts or start actively marketing it.

The solicitor is probably just telling you what s/he thinks you want to hear.

Going back on the market just means the buyer didn't come through. It's not a negative.

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 14:35

We are at the enquiries stage.

OP posts:
Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 14:36

I accepted the offer in June or mid June. Then it got lowered twice.

Not sure if it has had that much interest though.

OP posts:
Blowthemandown · 15/08/2022 14:47

It took 12 sets of viewers over just shy of 12 weeks to sell our house at full price. 8 weeks is not long. We had two silly offers in that time and the agent said that unless we were desperate, to hold on. We did. We then sold, found a house and moved 7.5 weeks later. This buyer sounds a nightmare and I wouldn’t entertain them. However, the sales side of things does require lots of paperwork these days - you can do some ahead of time (eg FENSA cert for glazing, electrical cert done within last 5 years) and if they are getting a mortgage then the bank won’t proceed without all those checks. Personally I’d put it back on the market - next trick will be asking for a reduction at exchange when you’re over a barrel @tottielottie

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 14:49

They have a mortgage in place and the bank agreed the valuation of my property too.

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 15/08/2022 14:55

She sounds like the type of buyer that thinks that, if your décor is not to their liking, that you should pay for the cost of redecorating to make the property 'acceptable'. Clearly this is not acceptable! I helped with the sale of my mother-in-laws property and one of the questions that came back from the buyers was 'when was the hall decorated'. My response to this question that it was immaterial when the hall was decorated - it was clear that it was in good condition.

She will undoubtedly drop her offer on the day of exchange when you've got everything lined up to move.

Get the viewings back on, get her to pay for the damage and perhaps allow one tradesman in without her in order to show willing - but let her know that viewings will be recommencing.

Yabado · 15/08/2022 15:12

My buyers had multiple viewings probably about 5 or6 buy it was a probate property and empty . They had builder and surveyors In

But I did say I don’t care what the survey comes back with I’m not budging on sell price

my son is buying he viewed it once made the offer
he will probably go back before exchange to check everything but that’s it

she’s a idiot

2bazookas · 15/08/2022 15:52

In my (extensive) experience as a seller, the people who requested repeated views with their DP's, PILs, and uncle Tom Cobbley, were all pursuing some imaginary lifestyle fantasy of their own and NOT ONE ever turned into a successful bidder at closing date.

Every surveyor who ever worked for me always included in the report that they had no access to inspect underfloor spaces below fitted carpets, floor surfaces etc .

senua · 15/08/2022 16:07

Time to push back at your buyer and put a rocket up your EA. If you get an alternative offer then you can tell FTB to, as a PP said, "shit or get off the pot" (I do love that phrase).
Get yourself ready to actively market the flat in September, when people are back off holidays.

Twiglets1 · 15/08/2022 16:56

She sounds awful and it’s not normal. I would say No I’m tired of all the viewings and I’m not going to reduce the price further so you can organise your own tradespeople after you move in.

Spanielsarepainless · 15/08/2022 17:05

She isn't serious. Tell your estate agent you don't to sell to her and want the flat remarketed in September. And no, having tradespersons round before exchange is not normal. I wouldn't say it's normal before completion either.

MercurialMonday · 15/08/2022 17:07

I don't think this is a serious buyer - I suspect they are trying to wear you down to massively drop the price.

The surveyor should not have damaged the property - but I don't know if you'll get the cost of that back.

So I'd be telling the estate agent to get it back on the market and doing viewings - or if you have deadline to new property - no to more visits and exchange contacts as soon as possible.

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 17:24

I spoke to the estate agent and he said he had told her that there will be no more reductions before I even said anything to him.

I told him that I am thinking this is a ploy to a lower offer, he said buyer just want a the work done before she moves in that's why she want the quotes. Hmmm

He said he is phoning to make it crystal clear that I will be re marketing and I won't be selling to her if I get a whiff that she is trying to gazunder or offer lower.

I am not even in a chain so it doesn't matter to me about moving. I told the agent that I thought she would be quick as she had mortgage in place.

He said he's phoning her straight away.

I really appreciate your views and experience I will keep updating xx

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 15/08/2022 17:30

The work can’t be done before she moves in anyway. Just tell the agent your answer is No. Also remember who he works for - her- so he is on her side not yours

Wonnle · 15/08/2022 17:45

Put it back on the market ASAP .

I'd be inclined to not tell the woman you accepted the offer if i could get away with it until you get another buyer

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 17:48

Wonnie I asked the estate agent if I could do this but he said he would have to tell the buyer if I did that.

OP posts:
worriedniece · 15/08/2022 17:48

Back in the day you could get away with multiple viewings and a second was quite normal (talking 10 years ago). Now you seize it fast! Asking for a second viewing makes e seller think you have cold feet

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 17:51

And the thing is it is fully refurbished so there's nothing really to do in there.

OP posts:
Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 18:07

2bazookas · 15/08/2022 15:52

In my (extensive) experience as a seller, the people who requested repeated views with their DP's, PILs, and uncle Tom Cobbley, were all pursuing some imaginary lifestyle fantasy of their own and NOT ONE ever turned into a successful bidder at closing date.

Every surveyor who ever worked for me always included in the report that they had no access to inspect underfloor spaces below fitted carpets, floor surfaces etc .

What kind of imaginary fantasy life lol? I've got to hear this!

She's about 26 or 7 and has been given a deposit from father. So that was her reason for all and sundry traipsing round the flat and talking to the neighbours Grin

OP posts:
hellcatspangle · 15/08/2022 18:09

I couldn't be doing with this either OP. She's taking the piss - just relist it.

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 18:13

It's already still on Rightmove the agents never took it down or put stc or anything. That's why I'm annoyed that it looks like no one has wanted it all this time while Madame's been pissing around. She did boom in the survey etc straight away and got her solicitor on it straight away and had mortgage in place, so I thought she was serious.

Thanks everyone I really appreciate this.

OP posts:
Hummingbird33 · 15/08/2022 18:24

tottielottie · 15/08/2022 17:51

And the thing is it is fully refurbished so there's nothing really to do in there.

I definitely wouldn't let her get any quotes or work done before completion then, it's not like it can be anything urgent.

Good luck!

Original poster
tottielottie · 15/08/2022 18:33

Oh no nothing urgent AT ALL.

She said something about putting a fire place in if I remember correctly.

And like a PP said how could the surveyor (who upsells his services) she had tell that the whole place needs a rewire?

She was even trying to get me to pay for Japanese knot weed survey. When you can see with both eyes there isn't any. I think the surveyor put that too.

I need to go and get this report in the morning. I asked the estate agents to print it for me as the file was to big to send.

OP posts:
LumpyandBumps · 15/08/2022 19:30

Is your property advertised on Rightmove at the original asking price, or the twice reduced sum for which you are selling it to this FTB?

That could make a lot of difference in interest.

Also your Estate Agent is almost certainly deterring viewings. That seems to be standard practise for many.

It sounds like your buyer has tried the patience of 2 previous sellers, and still doesn’t realise that all sorts of things are listed in a full survey as needing to be checked just to cover the surveyor’s back.

It is daunting to feel that you have to start again from scratch, but you might easily get a more straightforward sale.

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