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Original poster

Why do they want my neighbour's house?

56 replies

Spidergloves · 28/03/2023 10:41

I live in an isolated part of a village with few other houses around.

My next door neighbour died in the pandemic and the house is still stuck in a lengthy and complicated probate situation. It has now been sold but it is in a major state of disrepair and will need a huge amount of work to be habitable again. There has been no exchange yet.

The first sale fell through and this morning I have just had another previously interested buyer knock on my door asking about it again. Both younger men (under 40) keen to make known the amounts of cash they were looking to throw at it as if that's any concern of mine.

This property is not modern and would not make a developer any money. Something about these potential buyers and their pushy, money talks attitude has set off big alarm bells with me both times.

Am I being silly, a bit of a nimby? Or right to be cautious? Why would they want this house? Has anyone else dealt with this inexplicably pushy sort of buyer?

OP posts:
OhMerde · 28/03/2023 10:43

Eh? What are the big alarm bells? People are constantly on the lookout for do er up ers.

Stugs · 28/03/2023 10:43

I expect they want to do it up and make money?

LittlePrecious · 28/03/2023 10:43

I don't understand why they knocked on your door, OP. I assume you're not connected the house in any way? I mean legally connected.

Myfabby · 28/03/2023 10:44

Why would you be cautious? Is it your house? Or is it the fact they were younger with cash?

Stugs · 28/03/2023 10:44

This property is not modern and would not make a developer any money

Huh? Fixer uppers always make money.

Myfabby · 28/03/2023 10:46

OhMerde · 28/03/2023 10:43

Eh? What are the big alarm bells? People are constantly on the lookout for do er up ers.

This. I am really hoping OP won't come back and say the men were 'foreign', it's a quiet area etc. I've seen too many of these threads drip feed in that way.

And all the assumptions- It won't make any money blah blah

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 28/03/2023 10:46

I've possibly watched too many crime series on TV, but cannabis farm?

Roundandnour · 28/03/2023 10:47

If you’re not involved with selling the place, tell them seems money doesn’t buy any brains or common sense. Bugger off and talk to the estate agent

Myfabby · 28/03/2023 10:48

Roundandnour · 28/03/2023 10:47

If you’re not involved with selling the place, tell them seems money doesn’t buy any brains or common sense. Bugger off and talk to the estate agent

wow.

Really?

Because they've knocked and asked the neighbour a few questions about the house?

nothappytobeheretoday · 28/03/2023 10:50

Perhaps they are trying to reassure you that they will do a good job and not cheap one so that it will help your property value as well? Or that they have the funds to do it quickly so won't be as lengthy of a bother for you? Maybe they are trying to be nice?

Redebs · 28/03/2023 10:50

There is a lot of money to be made in property. It's a massive social divide.

RudsyFarmer · 28/03/2023 10:51

They sound like flippers. Obviously hoping you might be connected to the house, which you’re not. I wouldn’t worry.

SirChenjins · 28/03/2023 10:52

Probably developers - but weird they knocked on your door when they should have spoken to the EA or solicitors and talked about the money they could spend on it when it’s nothing to do with you.

Myfabby · 28/03/2023 10:52

nothappytobeheretoday · 28/03/2023 10:50

Perhaps they are trying to reassure you that they will do a good job and not cheap one so that it will help your property value as well? Or that they have the funds to do it quickly so won't be as lengthy of a bother for you? Maybe they are trying to be nice?

Thank you!

I've never understood people's resistance to people buying an old house to improve. A few months of the inconvience of reno work vs ££££ value increase in your property!

Original poster
Spidergloves · 28/03/2023 10:55

No, the men aren't foreign! Wondered if I'd get that thrown at me. And I mention age as it's not a location with much going on.

I'm not connected with the house or sale in any way. They are strangers knocking on my door and telling me exactly how much they offered, putting a price on everything in a way that made me think they're used to flashing cash and getting what they want. Not my style, I found it intimidating.
The first guy even offered to buy my house on the spot. Absolute stranger.

I've spoken to a property developer contact who said they wouldn't touch it so that's where I'm coming from with that.

OP posts:
Newusername21 · 28/03/2023 10:55

What makes you think it wont make any money?

Are you a property expert?

On the face of it - an older property in a semi rural - or rural area it would be a developers cream I would think (I'm no expert either but seems obvious to me).

It may be a bit odd for prospective buyers to be knocking on your door but I'd just say you had no connection to the property and point them in the direction of whatever estate agent is dealing with the sale. I dont see any reason to be suspicious.

Newusername21 · 28/03/2023 10:57

If they are also offering to buy your house aswell my guess would be the developers have got their eye on the plot as a whole (ie next door any your house).
If you have no intention of moving just ignore that - and again point them to the estate agents.

Original poster
Spidergloves · 28/03/2023 11:00

Thanks Newusername I know you're right it's not so unusual for people to knock and ask, but that two very similar guys have done this with a very intense attitude just made me uncomfortable about them as potential neighbours. Fair enough I am suspicious!

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 28/03/2023 11:00

They were just sussing out whether they could get both properties and do a big development.

LakeTiticaca · 28/03/2023 11:06

Maybe they just like the location and would like to live there?

Crabwoman · 28/03/2023 11:12

My great aunt and uncle sold their house in a desirable, semi rural area within the communtimg distance of London.

Lots of the older 40's-60's houses in the area had been bought, levelled, and new modern 'architect designed' houses put up in their place. The original houses had large plots, so they were desirable as the land could fit several houses on.

If they offered to buy your house, then they may be looking at knocking houses down and rebuilding several in their place.

Just a thought.

WishingMyLifeAway · 28/03/2023 11:12

I am struggling to understand why they knocked on your door and why your opinion is relevant as you don't own the house in question?!?

SirChenjins · 28/03/2023 11:12

If he offered to buy your house then it’s definitely a developer. Are you semi detached or terraced? They could be thinking of knocking through. .

Original poster
Spidergloves · 28/03/2023 11:13

Perhaps they are trying to reassure you that they will do a good job and not cheap one so that it will help your property value as well? Or that they have the funds to do it quickly so won't be as lengthy of a bother for you? Maybe they are trying to be nice?

That would be nice but I didn't get those vibes. It's not a quick fixer upper by any means and to do it up properly would probably take almost as much as they buy it for.

OP posts:
MrsOrange · 28/03/2023 11:13

Semi rural near a village? How much land is the plot - and how much with yours added? Any fields around? I also suspect they see potential to land grab and develop.

As a PP said if you don't want to move ignore them. However if there's land around that could be bought do think what life might be like next to a small development.

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