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FTB Issues

11 replies

Jadeleigh2021 · 06/08/2025 14:16

Advice needed

We viewed a house listed for 175k which we loved but felt might be a little overpriced so offered under value which was £160k. Estates agents said seller wouldn’t move from £175k so if we wanted the house it would have to be full asking. We decided we loved the house and we are fortunate enough to have a MIP that goes beyond £175k so offered full asking which was accepted. We submitted our mortgage application and a valuation was arranged which down valued the house to £150k. Obviously both us and the sellers were upset with this but we were told the seller wouldn’t renegotiate. We appealed the valuation through the mortgage company twice but the valuation stood at £150k. The estate agents then said that the sellers would rather take the house off the market and rent it out rather than sell for under £175k. We are not in a position nor comfortable to overpay £25k plus the deposit so formally withdrew our offer. The estate agents said they would inform the seller and come back to us if there was anything else.

We then viewed another house a few days later which we equally loved and it is larger than the first property but would need the cellar converting for a playroom. This house was on for 185k but we offered £180k and were accepted. We amended our mortgage application and resent it through our broker for processing.

The first estate agents have now come back to us and said the seller is willing to renegotiate down to £160k. We are in a position to put down the extra £10k on top of the deposit.

Am i wrong for feeling like saying to the first house you’ve made your bed so lay in it? We spent 3 weeks waiting for the appeals heartbroken at the thought of losing the home whilst being told it was either find the difference or it won’t be yours. Yet now we’ve formally withdrawn theres room to negotiate?

Advice welcome on how we go from here!

Thank you

OP posts:
Fibrous · 06/08/2025 14:22

Take your emotions out of the decision as best you can. Which house would you prefer?

heldinadream · 06/08/2025 15:27

Doesn't really matter how the vendors have behaved. Which house do you want? If you want the first one, withdraw your offer on the second one and buy the first one. If you want the second one just say that you've moved on and are no longer interested.
But maybe you're now not sure about either of them?

Beebumble2 · 06/08/2025 15:57

Unfortunately buying a house is fraught with dirty tricks. In the past we’ve had just about all of them done to us, both by buyers and sellers.
put your armour on and go for the one you like best!

Twiglets1 · 06/08/2025 18:03

I agree you should take emotions out of it re seller behaviour.

Just proceed with whichever house you like best. It really is that simple.

If you prefer house I then buy it at 160k and see that as a positive thing not a negative thing.

DrySherry · 07/08/2025 06:49

I think your in a strong position to get the first house at the value of £150k. I would tell the agent you would pay the full valuation of £150k but that the homes market value is your max. You might get lucky or get a counter offer of 155k. Definitely worth trying if that first house still ticks your boxes. I suspect the vendor was always aware they were overpricing it and the agent is doing his/her job for them by trying to push it above valuation.

Twiglets1 · 07/08/2025 07:11

DrySherry · 07/08/2025 06:49

I think your in a strong position to get the first house at the value of £150k. I would tell the agent you would pay the full valuation of £150k but that the homes market value is your max. You might get lucky or get a counter offer of 155k. Definitely worth trying if that first house still ticks your boxes. I suspect the vendor was always aware they were overpricing it and the agent is doing his/her job for them by trying to push it above valuation.

Edited

Strongly disagree with that and expect the sellers have done a lot of soul searching to come to the decision to accept the 160k previously on offer, and reducing it to 150k will be the final straw that makes them take the house off the market.

Completely up to @Jadeleigh2021 though... and it's unclear whether house 1 is even their preferred option at this stage. If it is though, I would just pay the 160k rather than play games and potentially lose it over 10k they can afford.

Lighteningstrikes · 07/08/2025 07:20

@DrySherry
Agreed.
It’s a buyer’s market.

Use your instincts and keep a cool head.

Which one do you prefer?

LoveWine123 · 07/08/2025 12:44

Which house do you want? Forget sticking it to the vendors and think about which house is better for your family. It sounds like you found an even bigger property so why not stick with that? Also, how sure are you that the sellers of the first house will not change their mind again further down the line and decide not to sell? They sound unreliable.

BeepBoopBop · 07/08/2025 12:50

Buy the house you prefer but, I would only offer £155,000 on first house - subject to survey and get exchanged asap as these are the type of vendors who will dump you if they get a better offer.
Out of interest, what have other properties on the street sold at recently?

BeepBoopBop · 07/08/2025 12:54

Another thought - which house in the best location, has more potential and better parking?

BlackSheepThisYear · 07/08/2025 13:00

Why is it only valued at £150k? Is it an issue that could affect when you want to sell?

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