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Original poster

Pulling out of house purchase WWYD?

22 replies

soupsong · 19/04/2025 07:41

I was led by my heart and put an offer on a quirky old cottage a month ago.
The seller had loads of interest but my offer was accepted as I’m mortgage free.

hadn’t got to the survey/solicitor stage as the owner was still undecided if he was buying or moving in with partner. It now seems the latter is most likely.

He has been very open with me and pointed out the all the issues that come with buying a 300 year old house (part brick, part lath and plaster). It has been well looked after with modern electrics/plumbing/drainage etc but essentially it is a really old building and any structural survey I know will come back with multiple issues.
I get that modern houses are just as liable to faults but the more I think about it the more anxious I’m becoming.
its right at the top end of my budget and more than I wanted to pay but there is very little other choice round here.
I will be left with nothing left over to make any changes.

I guess I’m just thinking out loud and I feel really awful about having second thoughts. It’s also in the same village where I’m currently renting so of
course that makes things more awkward.
I know I will have to pull out quickly if I’ve made my mind up

OP posts:
Advocodo · 19/04/2025 08:10

Listen to your thoughts. Do you have to move now? You have to do what’s best for you.

HouseofDreams · 19/04/2025 08:21

Can you go round and view again with your head leading this time and look at everything that is worrying you?

I think it’s natural to feel like this, I am also buying a quirky but beautiful house with lack of building regs etc. sometimes I think ‘what am I doing’ but I know it’s my forever home.

whatever you do, don’t delay much longer and pull out if you are going to. This man is making plans for his new life and you are going to pull the rug from under him, so better to do that sooner than later into the process.

Galliano · 19/04/2025 08:23

Have you decided to pull out or are you just debating? It sounds gorgeous to me and unless there was a showstopper on the survey I’d carry on!

CrotchetyQuaver · 19/04/2025 08:37

Go and have another look at the place then make your mind up but do it soon as you can. If he had loads of interest last time, hopefully the same again.

Flubadubba · 19/04/2025 08:43

Probably worth getting a surveyor who specialises in older buildings as they will have an understanding of what actually is an issue.

Original poster
soupsong · 19/04/2025 09:58

i know the survey will come back with an exhaustive list of issues that come with a house which doesn’t comply with modern building regs.

The owner was kind enough to let me have a copy of the survey he had done with a caveat that it was scary.
He’s right! One long list of needs urgent attention.
So I don’t think a new survey 8 years is likely to put my mind at ease.

OP posts:
25a · 19/04/2025 10:25

We bought an old house and I would absolutely recommend doing the same thing if it is structurally sound. Sure, there is lots for us to do (gradually) but the house itself is in amazing condition, the structure is solid and new builds just can't compete with that. Everyone I know who bought a new build regrets it, they've got paper thin walls and floors, and they are just not built to last.

TasWair · 19/04/2025 10:31

My house had a long list of red faults on survey- things like the staircase was too narrow and steep, the windows weren't safety compliant, there's damp in the walls. These things are issues, but not deal-breakers for me. They might be for you though!

elastamum · 19/04/2025 10:33

You have to love old houses to be happy living with all the quirks they bring. We live in an old mill built in 1670. We have been here 17 years and my family grew up here. We love it but we have an endless list of jobs that need doing and I imagine it won't be easy to sell when we get too old to manage it. Surveys can be useful, but if it's been standing that long, chances are it's sound.

Bluevelvetsofa · 19/04/2025 10:41

I think there are things that you want to change/do to the house and the concern is that the essential won’t leave any money for the desirables.

I suppose you have to decide whether your emotional response to the house is strong enough to overcome the practical shortcomings and whether you’d resent spending money on things you have to rather than want to.

Original poster
soupsong · 19/04/2025 11:25

Bluevelvetsofa · 19/04/2025 10:41

I think there are things that you want to change/do to the house and the concern is that the essential won’t leave any money for the desirables.

I suppose you have to decide whether your emotional response to the house is strong enough to overcome the practical shortcomings and whether you’d resent spending money on things you have to rather than want to.

You’re right. If the house was say £20k cheaper I would be less nervous. I’d have a buffer and be able to make a few changes.
my budget was always £20k less which I now feel foolish I went way over.

i do really like the house but my gut is telling me I’ve overstretched myself and could be a money pit

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 19/04/2025 11:40

One of the houses we bought, we intended to alter and update. Then we found that some remedial works, not obvious from the survey needed urgent attention and we had to severely curtail our plans. We never wholly did what we wanted.

iamnotalemon · 19/04/2025 12:40

Can you use the survey to negotiate a lower price? Particularly if it’s been on the market a while.

if you do decide to pull out, you shouldn’t feel bad.

Pieandchips999 · 19/04/2025 12:51

What are the actual problems on the survey and what kind of survey is it? It sounds like a homebuyers if there are categories like needs urgent attention. These often put these on for disclaimers on hold houses or if there are things that need doing. However does this mean there's been nothing done in the 8 years? We own a mid 19th railway workers cottage and had a 1910 one before that. The current one is really sound as the jobs have been kept on top of. The previous one had quite a few issues as the maintenance hadn't been kept up. But the bones of both are solid as they've stood for so long

Namechangetheyarewatching · 19/04/2025 12:51

Can you offer less due to the survey?

Bluevelvetsofa · 19/04/2025 13:51

Except OP has a copy of the previous survey from the owner, who has been transparent bout the issues, so he’s not likely to want to reduce the price, having made it clear that remedial work was needed.

MissMoneyFairy · 19/04/2025 14:05

Ìs it listed , the insurance will be high for a non standard building, what does the survey say needs doing. Has the owner done any of the things that the survey found.

Original poster
soupsong · 19/04/2025 15:30

It’s not listed.
current owner had a substantial soakaway put in about 3 years ago
New boiler 2 years ago.

With the exception of the more recent kitchen, there are no mains lights down stairs as the ceilings are so low. He is reliant on lamps and fairy lights.
Also minimal mains plugs, lots of extension cables

OP posts:
Mumlaplomb · 19/04/2025 17:07

OP if you are having doubts, you don’t have to carry on with the purchase. If it has lots of interest it will sell again.

MissMoneyFairy · 19/04/2025 17:45

What essential,works need doing? Rewire? Can it have wall lights.

Pieandchips999 · 19/04/2025 19:20

Well the good bit is he seems to have worked hard to maintain and improve the house. It's pretty easy to add extra sockets if the wiring is up to it. But it might be outdated. The no ceiling lighting bit is a bit unusual depending on how old the house is. If the lighting is the main issue I would get an electrical survey done and a quote to see how much to upgrade everything. You could then try and negotiate over anything that needs upgrading although obviously the lack of ceiling lights was noticeable on viewing. Probably the best thing is to work out if you've got cold feet because you aren't ready for an old house or you still like it but it's the cost. I would recommend getting a decent level 3 survey from someone recommended locally to you and see if they will include a valuation and estimated costs for the improvement needed.

Original poster
soupsong · 20/04/2025 11:31

Mumlaplomb · 19/04/2025 17:07

OP if you are having doubts, you don’t have to carry on with the purchase. If it has lots of interest it will sell again.

Yes sadly I think it’s this.
It also has a very high maintenance garden which is beautiful but I have neither the time, money or ability to maintain. It would quickly grow out of control

OP posts:
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