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Original poster

I did the thing you should never do…

58 replies

NotNowCantYouSeeImBusy · 01/05/2025 12:12

Went back on Rightmove whilst we’re in the middle of a purchase.

We had an offer accepted on a beautiful semi-detached house, top end of our budget, in the middle of March. Everything is proceeding as it should, as far as I know. Searches done, enquiries have just been sent. However, our survey flagged some fairly serious problems (damp, various rots, woodworm, chimney problems) which we’re waiting on costings for before we negotiate. It looked like a turnkey house when we viewed, but there’s actually a fair bit that needs doing.

We haven’t actually seen the house since we offered as we live so far away (looking to move for work) and it all feels very distant, and a massive commitment for something with issues. It would be a massive commitment if it didn’t have issues!

I was worried the cost to fix everything will break our budget, so I went back on Rightmove. There’s a beautiful house just come on for less, but detached and seemingly has a lot more going for it, but in a slightly less nice road. It was stupid of me to look because now I want that one.

I know it’s not daft to pull out of a sale because of a survey, and it’s a lot of money we’d be spending so I need to be sure, but I do feel like an idiot. If we go and see this other house and love it, we’d be right back at the beginning again and it’s a fucking awful process. And what’s to say this other house won’t need all the million hidden fixes needed?

Thanks for reading. This whole house buying thing is a proper headfuck. The idea of starting everything again from scratch is awful.

Has anyone had anything similar happen?

OP posts:
TheWheelOfTime · 01/05/2025 12:19

I haven't experienced this, so no advice on that front, but there's no harm in booking a viewing on the other house, is there? At least you wouldn't always be wondering 'What if?'.

foreverblowingbubbless · 01/05/2025 12:19

I would be wary of buying a house without seeing it unless a brand new off plan. You're very brave!

OrangeCrushes · 01/05/2025 12:22

Slightly different situation. Our seller was insane and unreasonable and had misled us about the extent of issues in the house (which were revealed in the survey).

We withdrew and found another house in a worse location. It was a long and stressful process, but (notwithstanding the annoyance of the worse location), I have no real regrets.

You should act fast! Arrange a viewing of the other house and see if it feels right.

Crazyworldmum · 01/05/2025 12:46

Given the choice I would always go for a detached house , once you live in one there is no way you want to go back to hearing other people . You still have time so go for it

minipie · 01/05/2025 12:51

foreverblowingbubbless · 01/05/2025 12:19

I would be wary of buying a house without seeing it unless a brand new off plan. You're very brave!

She has seen it, just not seen it again since offering.

OP, I’d go and see the other house. No question.

Moonshinerso · 01/05/2025 12:54

Go and see the other house.

Buying a house with more issues than you can cope with with be an even longer more stressful experience.

CoastalCalm · 01/05/2025 12:58

Go and see the other house , if you know someone with building knowledge ask them to go with you to do a visual check on roof etc as much as you can on a viewing

Wahsingday · 01/05/2025 13:04

Go and see both. If you are going to go and view the new one, you may as well go and see the one you have and offer in on at the same time.

A lot of sellers aren’t open to people dropping offers midway through purchases, so if you are going to try and renegotiate then you need to be prepared to lose property 1 and so it will be useful at the least to know what other options are available

kirinm · 01/05/2025 13:06

There are no guarantees with this ridiculous process until exchange so I’d at least go and view it.

rainingsnoring · 01/05/2025 13:20

I don't think you were silly. Lots of people keep an eye on the local market before and during a purchase.

Definitely go and see the detached house and see if you like it.

Even if you don't like it at all, you may choose not to take on the first house because of the amount of expense and work or if the sellers decline to negotiate down to a reasonable figure. You need to make the decision that is best for you.

HappyAsASandboy · 01/05/2025 13:37

Go and see the second house. While the stress and £££ seems a lot now, this is a purchase you’re going to live with for a long time. You really don’t want to be wondering “what if?” every time it gets tough in the first house.

AlmostSummer25 · 01/05/2025 13:41

OrangeCrushes · 01/05/2025 12:22

Slightly different situation. Our seller was insane and unreasonable and had misled us about the extent of issues in the house (which were revealed in the survey).

We withdrew and found another house in a worse location. It was a long and stressful process, but (notwithstanding the annoyance of the worse location), I have no real regrets.

You should act fast! Arrange a viewing of the other house and see if it feels right.

Edited

I agree, you should arrange a viewing of the New option as soon as possible. How soon do you think you'd be able to get to see it?

It's not at all madness to consider backing out of your initial purchase, given all the problems. Maybe you just need to think about pulling out of it irrespective of this new property.?

How soon do you have to move for work? Would it be possible to rent somewhere short-term while you continue to look?

It sounds as though the property you're in the middle of purchasing has turned out to be a bit of an expensive lemon?? be careful you're not biting off more than you can chew irrespective of this new property.

Advocodo · 01/05/2025 13:51

Go and see this house. You are spending a lot of money and it has to be right for you and your family.

orangegato · 01/05/2025 13:55

Daft to pull out sorry. Those issues picked up on a survey clearly not that severe if the occupants have lived in it and not addressed them?

FabulouslyFab · 01/05/2025 13:57

We hadn’t got as far as you but were on the point of making an offer (we’ll ring the agent when we get home) on a ‘doer upper’ when up popped the same house two doors down that was already ‘done up’ for just a few grand more!
We went to see the second house the next day and had agreed the purchase by day 3!
you have to do what’s right for you - go see the second house!

Nettleskeins · 01/05/2025 13:58

I do think a turnkey house can still have problems with damp, chimneys and woodworm. Most old houses do!!!! Damp is over estimated by most surveyors unless it's bubbling out of the walls...damp meters are notoriously poor way of determining damp. It's most likely to be stuff outside, cheap things like gutters or airbricks clearing out rather than replastering etc that is needed.
Unused chimney stacks tend to accumulate damp they need to breathe - you won't get many period houses with no stacks.
I suppose fancy floors could have laid over rotten joists and you wouldn't know but unless someone is actively going out of their way to cut corners there is no reason to believe someone would refurbish a house or live in it for ages with hidden nasties left untouched. Maybe a flipper.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 01/05/2025 13:59

orangegato · 01/05/2025 13:55

Daft to pull out sorry. Those issues picked up on a survey clearly not that severe if the occupants have lived in it and not addressed them?

??? We bought a house that was so damp that the wallpaper was held up with blutak because wallpaper paste wouldn't have dried. The family had lived there for decades. Other houses we viewed were in a terrible state, also family homes. What you are saying makes no sense.

Nettleskeins · 01/05/2025 14:04

It might be worth talking to the owner about some of the survey findings. We for example were told twenty seven years ago there was evidence of "old" woodworm in cupboard under stairs (ie the stair timbers) but it's not active and wasn't at time of survey and there is no new woodworm since that date...we've done nothing.
Even decorating and installing a kitchen or bathroom is incredibly expensive and time-consuming so if that's been done already you are already saving pots of heartache unless you are a diyer.
Again lots of this house was already done when we moved in 27 years ago and we haven't had to change the plumbing or bathrooms since then...perhaps a few tiles but otherwise things do last and save long-term money stress decision fatigue etc.

user3879208717 · 01/05/2025 14:08

The semi-detached v detached would be more than enough reason for me! Ring the EA now would be my advice…

Doris86 · 01/05/2025 14:09

orangegato · 01/05/2025 13:55

Daft to pull out sorry. Those issues picked up on a survey clearly not that severe if the occupants have lived in it and not addressed them?

It’s not daft to pull out if there is a seemingly
better and cheaper house available.

OP - go and view the new house you have found. You’d be mad not to consider it. Even without the survey issues, it sounds like it might be a better house.

Nettleskeins · 01/05/2025 14:11

Yes, people live in houses that are deteriorating all around them. Yes, that happens. But people don't tend to spend a lot on refitting a kitchen without rewiring it to current standards or putting in a bathroom that leaks...the leaks are going to show on the brand-new ceiling downstairs quite quickly.
Maybe a completely new house is more of a gamble where no one has used anything and you don't even know the shiny sink is not connected properly behind the cabinet door. But if someone is living has lived in that brand-new house it's less of a gamble ?

verycloakanddaggers · 01/05/2025 14:12

I do feel like an idiot. I don't understand why you're saying this.

You have had a negative survey, you're considering your options, you may have found something better.

Go to view the new house.

Nettleskeins · 01/05/2025 14:14

Definitely look at detached house before committing

MolkosTeenageAngst · 01/05/2025 14:15

You probably shouldn’t have looked, but you did and maybe the reason you were compelled to look is in part because you already had doubts or concerns? This is a huge purchase and just because you’ve invested time and money doesn’t mean you have to continue with the purchase, you’ll invest a lot more time and money if you move in and hate it and have to change everything or feel like you want to look to move again as soon as you get there. If the house you’re interested in is nearby the house you’ve put an offer on could you go and view it and arrange a second viewing on the offered property at the same time? Things might feel clearer if you can view the two side by side.

Icanttakethisanymore · 01/05/2025 14:19

Go and see the one you've just found and also ask to view the one you are purchasing again.

It's easy to lose enthusiasm when all you are hearing about is problems and the memory of what you like about it is fading.

If you prefer the new one, you need to buy that instead.