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Original poster

Which compromise could you live with

52 replies

Zapzep · 29/04/2023 14:46

I have the choice of 4 potential properties

a) It is ugly outside and by a pylon/high voltage power lines, but the area looks nice and leafy

b) it is in a good area with shops nearby but has potential structural problems and can’t sell to someone who needs a mortgage but none of the other houses look like they are falling down

c) perfect house but 10k to expensive so I would have to make an insulting low offer to the seller

d) good house and affordable but in a terrible area, police raid houses on a regular bases and their is drug dealing going on in broad daylight for all to see.

OP posts:
MulberryDerry · 29/04/2023 16:26

Only C.
Keep looking!

GoodChat · 29/04/2023 16:27

Definitely try C!

HipHipCimorene · 30/04/2023 04:31

A. I would never live near a high voltage pylon. Cancer rates are higher and never buy something that could be a problem to sell on.
B. Get a structural survey from a qualified structural surveyor. Then if there’s a problem at least 3 quotes to get anything fixed if there is a problem. Don’t offer without the full picture
C. Make a cheeky offer
D. Never buy in an area that you already know has its problems.

So id offer a really low offer on C. Less than you can afford? They say no. Ask to look around again. Offer slightly higher. If they say no go to your maximum. If people aren’t racing to look at it you can nudge it up slowly.

If it’s still a no go. Get the survey done on B.

Starseeking · 30/04/2023 06:31

Of your list I would only ever go for C, and if they turn you down, I'd keep looking for another C.

awakeeveeynight · 30/04/2023 06:46

Never, ever go for the terrible area.

RitaFires · 30/04/2023 08:25

I would go for C.

If I had a lot of cash and had a structural engineer and builders that I knew well and trusted then I'd try and do a deal for B.

Pylons are a cancer risk and a well known bad area would be difficult to sell if you hated it and wanted to move.

blitzen · 30/04/2023 08:47

C or back to the drawing board

Mangotime · 30/04/2023 08:52

If you can buy B with no mortgage can you not get a small mortgage and offer the asking price on C?

Giselletheunicorn · 30/04/2023 08:55

I'd try and secure C, but obviously it may not go my way.

If that didn't work. I'd keep looking. Definite no to pylons and crime ridden area.

DoggosAloud · 30/04/2023 08:55

I’d try C. Wouldn’t consider any of the others.

Original poster
Zapzep · 30/04/2023 11:23

@HipHipCimorene That’s really helpful, especially the guidance on how to negotiate for C.
If I decide to investigate B surely I should offer before the survey as it could otherwise sell between arranging the survey and getting the report back and then I have wasted money on the survey or can I ask them to take it off the market pending survey without an offer?

I have decided against D, and won’t go and look at any more property in the area. I’ve also decided to rule out any properties near pylons.

OP posts:
Leftoverssandwich · 30/04/2023 11:49

If you can consider B, does this mean you’re a cash buyer? Because if so, you are massively strengthening your hand for C.

HipHipCimorene · 30/04/2023 12:22

Zapzep · 30/04/2023 11:23

@HipHipCimorene That’s really helpful, especially the guidance on how to negotiate for C.
If I decide to investigate B surely I should offer before the survey as it could otherwise sell between arranging the survey and getting the report back and then I have wasted money on the survey or can I ask them to take it off the market pending survey without an offer?

I have decided against D, and won’t go and look at any more property in the area. I’ve also decided to rule out any properties near pylons.

Agree. Offer first. The only problem being. If you hang around waiting for a survey there’s always a chance you lose C. If they are with different estate agents you could run with both in tandem. Not nice on the sellers but it’s a game that you just may have to play.

DustyLee123 · 30/04/2023 12:23

C. Possibly B if I knew the facts, but not the others.

HipHipCimorene · 30/04/2023 12:34

HipHipCimorene · 30/04/2023 12:22

Agree. Offer first. The only problem being. If you hang around waiting for a survey there’s always a chance you lose C. If they are with different estate agents you could run with both in tandem. Not nice on the sellers but it’s a game that you just may have to play.

Show quote history

I should also say. If you like a house enough to offer don’t show the buyer or estate agent you’re desperate. No drooling over it or skipping around the garden🤣🤣they’ll wait to get a higher offer from you if they know you’re in love.

LibertyLily · 30/04/2023 12:53

C...or potentially B if you can get an expert's opinion on the structural issues.

Definitely not A or D for me, but as cash buyers ourselves* I'd not be ruling out houses with structural problems. In fact on my RM saved list I've got one with structural issues/cash buyers only and a few non-traditional construction. Obviously we'd want anything structural investigated prior to committing.

*We are also seasoned renovators (mainly DIY) so not scared by projects that others might not touch.

Original poster
Zapzep · 30/04/2023 15:52

@HipHipCimorene

I already went to see one property that I felt was overpriced and a bit small. The estate agent asked me for feedback and I said that I felt it was a bit small. After viewing some other places that were terrible I asked for a second viewing but the estate agent more or less said no because the vendors were busy and that I had said that it was too small, what do I say to leave the door open for a second viewing?

OP posts:
Original poster
Zapzep · 30/04/2023 15:57

@LibertyLily

In this case the house with the structural problems doesn’t have any other jobs that need doing, for example it has a new fitted kitchen etc. It’s just that it can’t be mortgaged. If it does need underpinning I won’t be able to do brickwork as a diy job.

The problem I have with the property I am in at the moment is that while I am competent with DIY I can’t cut holes through the wall to add extra windows which is what I would need If I stayed.

OP posts:
Modda · 30/04/2023 16:11

Couldn't pay me enough to live near a pylon (family member an oncologist and believes strung links to cancer)

RM2013 · 30/04/2023 16:15

Of the options you’ve stated I would personally only consider C

A wouldn’t be an option for me personally as I have a real fear of pylons - irrational I know but have hated them since childhood!

B depends on what the structural issue is and whether you have the budget to deal with whatever needs doing. I’d definitely get a structural survey done

C offer what you can afford. They may so no but they may accept

D it’s a no from me, if it’s already not such a good area then I would steer clear.

out of these that you’ve seen are there any houses that you love? A, B and D seem to all be pretty big compromises.

C would be my choice or keep looking - good luck

Wolfcub · 30/04/2023 16:16

C. None of the others

Jolenetookmyman · 30/04/2023 16:19

Butterflyflytoday · 29/04/2023 14:48

C then A. Would completely disregard the others.

This was my thoughts too. C is obviously your favourite so give it a shot at least.

HipHipCimorene · 30/04/2023 16:24

Nothing.
If they want feedback just say it’s a possible.
We don’t have to wait these days for estate agents to pull something out of a drawer that they think might suit us. So they’re not going to stop you looking at anything you want. NoR can they. ( unless it’s obviously out of your price range )
In fact they are doing the seller a disservice by not letting you view again.
If you really want to I’d knock on the door and tell the sellers you’ve been denied a viewing.
We did this once, we put a note through the door. The property had an offer but had not been accepted. We weren’t allowed to view whilst the owners thought about it. So we put the note in the door and got our viewing.

HipHipCimorene · 30/04/2023 16:26

Also OP. On the issue of you already saying a property was too small.
I would explain to the estate agent that situations, wants, needs and aspirations do change.
Get your pen out and ask for a viewing date.

mondaytosunday · 30/04/2023 16:29

C only.
What do you mean by 'potential structural issues'? House may not look like they are falling down but can still be unsound.
Wouldn't ever do the others.