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Buyer wants another survey. Chancer?

7 replies

Hedjwitch · 05/10/2024 16:37

Mother died in April and her house went on the market. A 3 bed bungalow large rooms private garden, but no off street parking which put some folk off.
It went on for £175K which we all felt was too much given it is an old house,lived in by an old lady, and needed some work. Finally got an interested buyer who pointed out that as the house has had problems with damp in the past( this was in our sellers report so not hiding anything) he wanted 25K off the price. We agreed 20K reduction as fair and accepted at this price. He set a fairly long move in date as had his own house to sell,and we agreed October 18th.
On Friday he contacted solicitor asking for entry to conduct an independent survey on the house re the damp. 2 weeks before we close.
He has ample time to do this,and has visited the house several times. We have turned down two notes of interest while we have been under offer. He has been aware of the co dition of the house from day 1. I feel this is a ploy to suddenly produce a report exaggerating the damp issue and demanding another price reduction,so close to our agreed final date.
What would you do? Stand firm and call his bluff or reduce again?

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 05/10/2024 17:06

I would allow him access to get his survey.

But not negotiate on price since you had interest from others & have already reduced by 20k to compensate for the condition of the property.

standardmum · 05/10/2024 17:09

Hedjwitch · 05/10/2024 16:37

Mother died in April and her house went on the market. A 3 bed bungalow large rooms private garden, but no off street parking which put some folk off.
It went on for £175K which we all felt was too much given it is an old house,lived in by an old lady, and needed some work. Finally got an interested buyer who pointed out that as the house has had problems with damp in the past( this was in our sellers report so not hiding anything) he wanted 25K off the price. We agreed 20K reduction as fair and accepted at this price. He set a fairly long move in date as had his own house to sell,and we agreed October 18th.
On Friday he contacted solicitor asking for entry to conduct an independent survey on the house re the damp. 2 weeks before we close.
He has ample time to do this,and has visited the house several times. We have turned down two notes of interest while we have been under offer. He has been aware of the co dition of the house from day 1. I feel this is a ploy to suddenly produce a report exaggerating the damp issue and demanding another price reduction,so close to our agreed final date.
What would you do? Stand firm and call his bluff or reduce again?

Sounds like a chancer or at best getting cold feet as he realises costs of work needed. Is the price realistic for the area, factoring in condition of property and lack of parking? I'd get the agent to have words letting him know there have been other interested parties and that you will put it back in the market if necessary. Good luck, What a nightmare!

Dotto · 05/10/2024 17:10

Allow access but also consider putting it back on the market. It's far too late for pre-contract enquiries now..

MotiRoller · 05/10/2024 17:16

We had similar. Let him have the survey but be very clear - through the agent and the solicitors - that you will not be negotiating on price. Be prepared to put it back on the market - see if the agent can get back in touch with the others who expressed interest.

pantomanto · 05/10/2024 17:57

Tell him you will allow access no problem however in the meantime you will all be looking to remarket the house to try and grt
some new interest before Christmas. He might walk away but if he does he’s
mucking you around.

pilates · 05/10/2024 18:34

Just make it clear via the agents that he can have a survey but there will be no renegotiation on the price.

Hedjwitch · 06/10/2024 09:30

Thanks all.

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