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Original poster

Worrying survey - want to revise offer

34 replies

Glitterbaby17 · 30/10/2024 19:44

Please be kind - single mama purchasing for the first time on my own after a tough couple of years. I put an offer in on a property that was accepted for £20k below offering. Property had been on for 6 months and already reduced. I could see possible damp at ceiling and in a back room.

Survey came back with 2 pages of urgent issues, including major roof issues, possible shifting due to surface water problems, crack in garage wall, rising damp etc so I have had a couple of tradesmen/builders in for a quote. Main takeaway was there were issues that weren't typical of a property of this type and age.

The roof needs taking off and elements replacing (most tiles can then be reused), more down pipes are used as that's causing some of the leakage, ceilings need completely re boarding upstairs, damp course on ground floor needs sorting, leaking pipe under shower downstairs is partly responsible for damp floor - and needs to be taken out in order to be fixed, place needs re wiring and to sort surface water issues a new sink away or two are needed and some levelling in garden.

It's going to be £50-60k work before you allow for the subsequent decorating etc. I'm intimidated and a bit scared as am not a DIY queen.

Am I terrible to reduce offer by 40k (thinking it may end up at 30 less). It's a probate sale, and I'm also chain free as ex buying me out. Feeling overwhelmed so advice would be welcome.

OP posts:
WinWhenTheyreSinging · 30/10/2024 19:47

I’d just pull out. Sounds as if they’ve taken no care of the place, and there are only likely to be more issues. All well and good if you’re up for a project and able to make a profit on it, but that doesn’t sound like it’s the case.

NeckolasCage · 30/10/2024 19:47

My god I would run a mile.

Buy an easier house!!

Gekko21 · 30/10/2024 19:52

I think factors to consider are:

  • What are the aspects you couldn't have noticed during the viewings? I don't think it's reasonable to negotiate on anything in plain sight that you overlooked
  • Are these things genuine red flags or just the surveyor covering their arse? If you moved into the property, would you really need to do them from day 1? When we bought our house, the roof was red flagged but we lived with it for 10 years before changing it and only did so as we were doing a loft conversion
  • You got £20K off so factor that in to any remaining costs
  • How much do you want to the sale to go through? If you try and negotiate a big discount, you might piss off the vendor and they might not be able to afford their onward property, which could collapse the chain
Chowtime · 30/10/2024 19:53

Yeah I'd pull out of that one

shellyleppard · 30/10/2024 19:55

I would pull out, it's got too much work needs doing imho

RandomMess · 30/10/2024 19:56

Pull out!

Get around all the estate agents and ask what have they got in your price bracket that you are a motivated buyer and want to move fast.

Ilikewinter · 30/10/2024 19:58

Main takeaway was there were issues that weren't typical of a property of this type and age.

If this has come from builders/tradesmen then I'd seriously be considering pulling out. Who knows what you'll uncover once the work starts.

MrsKwazi · 30/10/2024 19:58

Just pull out OP.

I hope this doesn’t come across as unkind but repairs and renovation come with a huge mental load and is pretty much a bottomless pit where money is concerned. If you’re a single mum you probably already have A LOT on your plate. Other properties are out there. Wait for spring.

Hibiscussed · 30/10/2024 20:00

Pass it by. I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.

Melroses · 30/10/2024 20:00

If you have had a recent break-up and you are not experienced in renovating houses, I would pull out and go for something a little easier.

Morven7 · 30/10/2024 20:14

Walk away

HellofromJohnCraven · 30/10/2024 20:21

Sod that for a game of soldiers.
Each one of these is telling you not to buy.

Original poster
Glitterbaby17 · 30/10/2024 20:23

Gekko21 · 30/10/2024 19:52

I think factors to consider are:

  • What are the aspects you couldn't have noticed during the viewings? I don't think it's reasonable to negotiate on anything in plain sight that you overlooked
  • Are these things genuine red flags or just the surveyor covering their arse? If you moved into the property, would you really need to do them from day 1? When we bought our house, the roof was red flagged but we lived with it for 10 years before changing it and only did so as we were doing a loft conversion
  • You got £20K off so factor that in to any remaining costs
  • How much do you want to the sale to go through? If you try and negotiate a big discount, you might piss off the vendor and they might not be able to afford their onward property, which could collapse the chain

I could see a couple of spots on top floor where water had come through roof - but as carpets weren't wet etc assumed it was a roof repair needed - not the whole thing to come off.

Had no idea on the wiring.

I could see floor on ground floor was bad condition but thought age and due to damp in back room - not major plumbing issue.

I thought back room needed damp treating and factored in a couple of k to do it and replaster but hadn't realised was due to surface water and sink away issues etc.

Basically I'd factored in 10k of work - not 50+ and major structural stuff. Oh and builder says there's asbestos so that needs an extra specialist survey and encapsulating or removing too 😬

I think those saying to pull out are probably right - but a bit sad as has a good 'feel' and natural light and location. And was up for some repairs and decorating etc but all of this feels overwhelming

OP posts:
Original poster
Glitterbaby17 · 30/10/2024 20:25

Ilikewinter · 30/10/2024 19:58

Main takeaway was there were issues that weren't typical of a property of this type and age.

If this has come from builders/tradesmen then I'd seriously be considering pulling out. Who knows what you'll uncover once the work starts.

This is what worries me - survey and builder are both local with good reps and both concerned problems not typical. It's a mid terrace and both have 'seen' others in same road and are concerned about this one. Pictures of up in roof you can see daylight in a couple of places etc - hence all ceilings needing reboarding as they are wet

OP posts:
Original poster
Glitterbaby17 · 30/10/2024 20:26

Thanks all - you've given my head a good wobble. Not what I need with two littlies (one of whom is neurodiverse) and my concern is cost will blow out. Is just a shame

OP posts:
rainingsnoring · 30/10/2024 20:27

I agree with everyone else. Just pull out. It sounds as if there are a lot of problems and, no doubt, more would be uncovered once work started because that always happens. I really wouldn't want to take on a mass of work and expense at all if I had split with my partner and was a single mum. I'm sure you have had enough recent stress to deal with already!

rainingsnoring · 30/10/2024 20:28

Glitterbaby17 · 30/10/2024 20:26

Thanks all - you've given my head a good wobble. Not what I need with two littlies (one of whom is neurodiverse) and my concern is cost will blow out. Is just a shame

I don't think you will regret letting this one pass by. Find somewhere less expensive and easier for you to manage in your situation.

Spacecowboys · 30/10/2024 20:29

I’d run a mile. Far too much work needs done. Additional problems will become apparent - over and above what has been identified so far.

Gekko21 · 30/10/2024 20:32

Glitterbaby17 · 30/10/2024 20:26

Thanks all - you've given my head a good wobble. Not what I need with two littlies (one of whom is neurodiverse) and my concern is cost will blow out. Is just a shame

Sounds like you've considered it from all angles and come to the right conclusion. Good luck with your house search. I'm sure the perfect property is just around the corner.

FrequentlyAskedQuestion · 30/10/2024 20:33

It would be hell living through that work. Let alone as a solo parent of small children with additional needs.

And the cost sounds conservative.

Bullet dodged.

CutthroatDruTheViolent · 30/10/2024 20:45

Is the house even mortgageable with the current survey?

And yes, you would be foolish to offer £30k less when the survey says £50-60 to fix.

BeerForMyHorses · 30/10/2024 20:46

Pull out !!!!

This will be an absolute disaster

Helpisonitswaydear · 30/10/2024 20:55

1000% pull out and don't look back!!!!

ForPearlViper · 30/10/2024 22:11

Was your offer subject to survey? Has your mortgage lender reviewed the survey - with that amount of work I would expect them to reduce the amount they were prepared to lend which would give you a negotiating tool.

Have you got a proper quote from a roofer/builder for all the work?

If you have you're in a good position to negotiate on the price especially if you are prepared to plug. Make them a silly offer and see what happens. Or you could ask that a lot of the work is made good before exchange.

But, if you're not in a position to got through with the stress of the work, which is completely understandable, walk away.

Mischance · 30/10/2024 22:13

There will be another home for you. This one is not the one.