Neighbour maybe doesn't realise house is concrete WWYD?

[lineylines]

My neighbour has put their house on the market. It's a normal ad.

However, their house is concrete construction. Definitely - not only is ours, and the houses look the same, but theirs in a semi and the one next door (that it's atttached to - effectively the other side of the same house) sold last year, and the ad clearly said "cash buyers only as concrete construction".

The price they're asking is normal for a standard construction house round here, but they're not going to get nearly that for a conrete house. The one next door sold for £75K less than they're asking.

I'm trying to work out whether I should say something to them.

If they already know it's concrete I guess it's none of my business really. It's very unlikely a buyer won't find out as the houses on this road are flagged as "possibly concrete construction" and it will be hard to get a mortage. Unless someone buys cash, I guess?

But if they don't know, then it's going to be a nasty shock - they may find out once they've offered on a new place and then their buyer's mortgage falls through when the lender finds out it's concrete.

Lots of people here don't realise about the concrete I think as this is an ex council estate and some of the houses were bought ages ago and passed down families.

I don't know them well, they keep themselves to themselves.

Should I say something to be neighbourly? Or stay out of it? WWYD?

You talk about the weather, of course!

Maybe tell them she thinks they are asking too much, and explain how much she thinks their house is worth to them,, good quesruin, I’m curious too/

No next move. If they do know, what they do with that knowledge is up to them.

Yes, exactly this 😁

They DO know already! As soon as they drilled a curtain rail or fitted a new kitchen. And definitely as their attached neighbors just sold.

OK, so you know all of my neighbours do you?

The ones I do chat with who didn't realise their houses were concrete are just lying about it are they?

Why are you so invested in this thread anyway?!

I mean if it's nothing to do with me, it's certainly nothing to do with you! 😂

I understand your view @lineylines

I think there should be something in the listing that gives any prospective buyer the information. Factual about the construction.

I tried to buy a large Victorian house, aware that I needed to look carefully and ask the seller lots of questions.

I did. Including about any previous subsidence.

Paid for the full survey and turns out much of the information and replies from the seller were untrue!

£3,000 later we pulled out. If the seller had been honest we wouldn't have instructed a sureveyor.

It’s also really important for any potential buyer to know as you have restrictions when it comes to extending these type of properties

What? The op asked for opinions. She didn't say only those who agree with her could reply.
In real life most people would be confused as to why "Noreen from number 18" thinks she knows better than the EA, and what business it is of hers.
I said myob that's all as have several others.
I managed to buy my property without estate agents or @lineylines input.

I understand where you are coming from. You got caught out and you don’t want the same to happen to someone else.

Pop into or call the estate agent. Say you are interested in the house on Park Street but you thought they were concrete. It might be that they are fully aware but are only planning on telling people once they are interested.

I think it is because people are trying to save OP from herself. She is proposing to go up to her neighbours and basically tell them that they have overpriced their house and she thinks that they should in fact get far less money for it. She thinks she will be doing some good and they will be grateful for this piece of info, but they will only dislike her for it. They will probably think she is implying that they are somehow trying to con buyers and be quite offended by it.

Agree. I can’t even fathom how the convo will go

hi, do you know your house is made of concrete
yes, of course.why.
oh just saying. Scurries away

hi. Saw your advert, do you know your house is made of concrete.
no, so?
well generally it means it’s worth less and folks can’t get a mortgage sometimes.
ok. So, you saying my house is over priced in your view.
um..scurries away

Op you sound like a nice person trying to help out a neighbour. No idea why 80% of Mumsnet posters want to get angry at others, no matter the topic. You sadly see it on most posts nowadays.

I'd bring it up casually if you can. If I was the neighbour I'd be grateful to know and if I already did know I wouldn't be offended you thought I might not.

It's startling to many of you, clearly, but done people actually care about others and help them when they can.
OP wants to help her neighbours. It's really not that odd.

Some

How about:

Do you know your house is made of concrete?
Yes I do, why?
Ah great, I didn't realise mine was so just checking, it can be easy to miss on these houses
That makes sense, thanks for checking, have a nice day!

Do you know your house is made of concrete?
No I didn't, what makes you say that
Reasons op has explained
Ah ok what does that mean?
I'm not an expert but I didn't realise so wanted to mention it because I notice you are selling and it can be something that shows up later in surveys
Oh brilliant thanks for mentioning it, we will look into that more.

Not all people are prickly or looking for a fight.

@ArminTamzerian I know we are not neighbours but let me help you.....
When you make an error in your comment you can amend it by using the edit button, it works for up to five minutes . You don't need to write a new comment .
See I do care for others

😂

Anyone stupid enough to buy a house without a survey deserves what they get.

Do people really have this much spare energy and time?
Could you use that time to volunteer at the local food bank or library or CAB etc instead?

But they must know. The estate agent must know. Do you think they’re stupid?

Why 'must' they know?

Lots of people live in homes and are unaware they are non standard construction.

And lots of inexperienced EAs valuing houses and have no idea what they're looking at.

Then that's between the potential buyers and the estate agents.

Why "must" the op get involved? @Notthisapple

You’re the definition of a nosy overbearing neighbour…I wonder why your neighbours are moving.

I can’t imagine having this much spare time and energy on my hands to get involved in something which is absolutely nothing to do with me, must be lovely!