Would you phone someone up that said they were interested in your house but it wasn't the right time and ask them if they would like to make an offer?

[bubbleandsqueak]

I am desperate to sell my property so that I can move on with my life, it has been on the market for a year and most people seem to like it however they can't seem to commit to the life style change it would mean.

We live in France so it would mean quite a big change to their current lives.

Do you think it would be a shocking thing to do?

I await your comments, albeit a little nervously!!!

Only if you are prepared to take a big hit on the price.

Where abouts in France? Would it be suitable for a holiday home?

I will buy it! Believe me, if I could persuade my hubby I would be packing right now.

I wouldn't - i couldn't be certain that the person wan't just saying that to make me feel better/get out of the place.

Its an old farm that has been converted into 4 apartments which I run as a business. Its in the Alps.

I think I can take a hit on the price but I wonder how far/low they would go!

I suppose they could feel they had the advantage then and offer you a really silly price thinking you were desperate ...

but on the other hand.... if they were interested they might bite your hand off.

Dilemma sorry not really much help !

I don't think it would hurt to ask, they can only either

a) say no, no harm done
b) say ok then, and offer asking price (unlikely)
Or
c) think about it, then think 'ooh she must be pretty desperate to be asking for offers, wonder how low we can go', then offer a low price. Your negotiating position would obviously be very weak, so it depends how desperate you are really!

Oooh are you selling just one apartment? Cos I might be interested in a ski-ing/summer place. DH has just got his bonus, but I don't know how much i we can spend.

I am of the opinion that it can't hurt to ask, plus I don't have to accept their offer. I know that they are unlikely to offer asking price but may come near the figure I want.

I am in a real pickle as its such a difficult situation to manage well, without sounding desperate.

I am of the opinion that it can't hurt to ask, plus I don't have to accept their offer. I know that they are unlikely to offer asking price but may come near the figure I want.

I am in a real pickle as its such a difficult situation to manage well, without sounding desperate.

Sorry captainmummy its all or nothing, it really is a great place to live, our lives are just too complicated, DH commutes to London and we have decided that something has to go.

Aaaaw.

Do you have a link to it BS? How much are you looking for?

My current asking price is euro 995,000 which is about GBP 765 at the current exchange rate which puts buyers off as well.

I know its a difficult thing to judge but what would you offer if someone phoned you up?

I know its difficult with out any photos but I a bit useless with technology.

If you phoned me, it would seem to me like you were desperate and I would probably go in at £695k

Thanks fimbo, that translates to 903,000 euro and gives me a lot to think on

Do I sell up now and take the loss or wait it out, I still haven't decided.

If it's been on the market for a year and it's in the Alps (presumably got access to some ski resort nearby so it has had two seasons' worth of holiday makers made aware of it), I think you have to accept that the price will come down. If you are looking to sell to a Brit then the fall in value of sterling will be a major factor - in euros it is 10% more than it was a year ago, I think.

Phone the person but don't be too surprised if they are unable to make you an offer that you can accept - their finances may be very dicey at the moment.

it can't hurt to ask
If you don't like what they offer just walk away.

I think I have now decided to do the deed, I have just phoned them but they were on their way out, how nerve racking is that?

Wish me luck, God I do hope I pull it off without sounding too desperate.

So far I have managed to retain my composure whilst talking to them, they stayed here at the end of Feb on holiday.

how did it go bubble?

(and how's the skiing there atm?)

going to phone them this evening, after half a bottle of wine!!!

skiing is fine, we could do with a bit more snow though as its not so good for snow boarders

well we hate snowboarders! - prob as they are all so young and cool - and we haven't tried snowboarding yet. Somehow I think i'd be rubbish at it. I am at skiing! Good luck with the phone.

Two large G&T's later....

Well I have spoken to them and have suggested that I am open to offers.

I didn't ask them to make an offer, I intimated that I have a figure in my head that would be acceptable.

They have reservations about making the big move to France and I can understand that, as I had before I moved out here myself but I wouldn't change anything.

We have had a fantastic experience, my children are both fluent in French, and I'm not too bad! We have met some wonderful people and they will remain our friends for life. However we have also had some huge lows, but hey isn't that life?

They are going to give me a call in the next week or two and I'll give you an update then.

Thanks all

PS captainmummy I was a snowboarder up until this year when I took up skiing and I am 43 years old, not so young, but still cool for an old bird!

bubble I really really wish I could just up-stakes and go to france/germany/spain/anywhere. I really think this country's gone to hell and it's not coming bckc. I want to go somewhere safe and beautiful and have a bit of a challenge (ie the language!). But dh works in london and loves it, so it's not gonna happen.