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Would YOU let another person put you off buying your dream house?

71 replies

iloveyoubutilovememore · 24/08/2024 07:51

So I’ll keep it relatively brief otherwise this will be a three page long thread. A house in our village went on the market last year (we were nearly read to get ours on) we viewed it and loved it, ticked most of our boxes. The couple then took it off the market due to not much being available in the area they want to move to. A couple of weeks later I bit the bullet and knocked on their door making it clear that I could leave if they felt I was being intrusive. They were lovely and invited me in, we then spoke about how much me and my husband loved their house and whether they would consider selling to us privately. They agreed and said once ours was on the market we could discuss a price and move forward with it all. Fast forward to spring of this year, ours is on the market and we agree to purchase theirs for 375. Around a month ago they invited us over to have a look at the work they’ve done on the outbuilding in the garden whilst they were away. I walked round there with my son and whilst we were there, what sounded like a large dog (Doberman) barked the entire time. To the point where even my son said mummy whose dog is that? As we were leaving my husband walked past the house directly next door (attached to the house) as a couple were outside it talking, to say hello. To his surprise the woman at the house is someone we have had issues with previously. An incident occurred where they were both driving through the village but it was my husbands right of way yet she continued to drive. She would not let him go and he had tonnes of cars behind him. It escalated quickly, to which she then knocked on my door at 8am in the morning shouting and swearing about my rude husband. So needless to say, seeing her next door was a shock. She told him that she bought next door at auction (needs completely gutting) and will be living there whilst renovating (adding extension). My husband kindly tried to smooth over what happened before and she was extremely cold, refusing to apologise and whenever I said anything would smirk to her partner. Just to add to make things more confusing, after agreeing to sell to us at 375, the sellers have put it on the market for 325 so a 50k reduction. My husband feels this is dishonest and said we have been ‘mugged off’.

so my question is - knowing all of this and potentially having someone live next door who not only has been difficult, but who will be doing tonnes of building work AND has a large Doberman that doesn’t stop barking (we planned to get chickens and the back of both gardens could be accessed from either house) would you let it get in the way and look elsewhere or stand firm and continue with the purchase?

well done if you got this far!!!

OP posts:
Doingmybest12 · 24/08/2024 08:29

It wouldn't be my dream house any more and the sellers seem flaky. There will be another house.

patchworkbear · 24/08/2024 08:30

No no no. All the red flags are there.

fortheveryfirsttime · 24/08/2024 08:38

I wouldn't buy it. Having shit neighbours is awful so I'd never knowingly put myself in that situation.

Eddielizzard · 24/08/2024 08:45

Absolutely no way. What a nightmare. And listing at 50k lower makes absolutely no sense unless they know you have no intention of buying.

Bettyboughtabitofbitterbutter · 24/08/2024 08:47

Don't walk, run away.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 24/08/2024 08:50

They're unlikely to be able to get put if the estate agents fees if it's already been on the market with them.

I've seen it happen several times. Even if the sellers use a different agent, the originals will want a split.

But I wouldn't buy it. The neighbour is likely to be spiteful and inconsiderate just because.

Trebol · 24/08/2024 09:28

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request

Bettyboughtabitofbitterbutter · 24/08/2024 09:28

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the poster's request

Probably because they didn't feel the OP was going to go through with it.

DangerPigeon · 24/08/2024 09:33

Nope

DangerPigeon · 24/08/2024 09:34

The fact that you've posted also suggests it's turned into a no from you

Wrennyjenwren · 24/08/2024 09:37

I wouldn't.
Bad neighbours are not worth it, even if the house was given for free.
We have some new neighbours behind and they're a nightmare. They haven't really done anything to us personally, but even just loud conversations outside their front door at silly hours of the night and cars constantly zooming in and out of the cul-de-sac are enough to give us the rage almost daily.

DeeplyMovingExperience · 24/08/2024 09:39

Trust me - this is NOT your dream house if it includes a nightmare neighbour.

Walk away and put this one down to experience.

sadabouti · 24/08/2024 10:37

I think you know the answer but needed the affirmation provided by the thread. It's okay to walk from this one. It was a dream that hasn't survived first contact with reality.

sleekcat · 24/08/2024 11:05

No, I would not buy it. Also, why is it on the market if you've agreed a private sale? Aside from that, it is not going to be a dream house because you will not feel relaxed. You know you will never be able to ask them for anything or have any reasonable conversations. A better house is out there!

TemuSpecialBuy · 24/08/2024 11:11

There is no way I would buy it.
it just would not be worth it… also I’d consider myself lucky…imagine if you bought it it THEN nightmare neighbour moved in!!! 😵‍💫

TheFormidableMrsC · 24/08/2024 11:26

This house is not for you. I too am curious as to why the sellers have put the house on for 50k less when you've agreed the sale. Are they presuming you're going to pull out? I have had awful neighbours who thankfully moved, it was a horrible time and it's the one thing that worries me about moving again. There is nothing worse. I'd keep looking if I were you, this one doesn't sound good.

iloveyoubutilovememore · 24/08/2024 11:50

Sorry I think I missed out a key bit of info in the original post.

After the encounter with the angry woman we messaged them to say we are not sure we want to go ahead. They were understanding and then a few days later it went on right move for 325. My guess is that they know the building works next door will prove difficult for whoever moves in, OR they’re dealing with it themselves and want a quick sale?

thank you all for the reassurance I knew it wouldn’t be a good move! Sad though.

OP posts:
pictoosh · 24/08/2024 12:00

It's just one of those random things isn't it? Not everything we encounter in life comes to a neat, satisfactory conclusion. In this case it really is a shame but everyone here is right...it's no longer the dream house.
Bah.

MaxandMoritz · 24/08/2024 12:01

OP, just be thankful you've found out about the awful neighbour before you bought the house.

You've had a very lucky escape.

CoffeeIsBetterThanTea · 24/08/2024 12:13

I’d consider it but also, there are many alarm bells telling you this isn’t ’the one’.

I’m not too sure if this is still true (or ever has been!). But from memory, if the estate agent registers your interest in the house and you viewed it with them, then your still legally bound to go through them for the sale, even if it’s been taken of the market - as they are still owed the commission. It might be different if you’re not in England however.

BettyBardMacDonald · 24/08/2024 12:14

I had hostile, hateful and obnoxious neighbors for 7 years. It affected my mental health. Thankfully they moved a year ago.

Do you think the people building the extension will sell or continue living there?

velvetcoat · 24/08/2024 14:39

They were understanding and then a few days later it went on right move for 325

This is telling. The fact they were understanding means they've had bad experiences with her too- if they hadn't they'd be like "oh no! she's lovely- always been friendly to us, just get to know her" etc. In fact, I wonder now if they are moving because of her....

Arconialiving · 24/08/2024 15:32

Agree with the others - lucky escape Op!

Feellikeafailurenow · 24/08/2024 16:11

No way would i buy it with neighbours like that! Nevermind with price reduction online

WallaceinAnderland · 24/08/2024 16:30

Lucky escape OP. Imagine if awful neighbours had been out when you viewed 😱