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Original poster

should we reduce our (already accepted) offer?

60 replies

MamaChris · 22/09/2008 15:53

we have had an offer accepted on a house we want to buy, but had to go very close to the asking price. Silly that we didn't ask explicitly, but just assumed the washing machine/dryer would be included (as ours are). But they plan to take them with.

We're maxed out financially on this. Can we reduce our offer by, say, £650 to pay for the cost of buying new, or is that just cheeky? And if we were to reduce our offer, would we do it through solicitor or estate agent?

OP posts:
ImnotMamaGbutsheLovesMe · 22/09/2008 16:23

Sorry, but I think it is silly to reduce.

We sold out last house for £3000 under the asking price as "they would need to redecorate." We were happy with the £3000 below and wouldn't expect a reason as that amount below is reasonable, but now think, what a cheek, why should we pay for them to repaint.

Marina · 22/09/2008 16:23

I am with Soupdragon on this. You want some slack cut because you are having to borrow from family - they might feel the same way because it is a distress sale on the back of a divorce.
You should have checked the terms of the sale before making the offer IMO.
They may well agree to throw in the appliances if you do ask, but they and their agents will think less of you for it IME.

conniedescending · 22/09/2008 16:23

is it too late to take yours with you??

Swedes · 22/09/2008 16:27

MamaChris - They are being silly aren't they. Phone the agent and tell him you assumed it was included. If they come back saying it is not included, offer them £280,050.00 for it to be included in the sale (so £50 for the washer/drier).

AmIWhatAndWhy · 22/09/2008 16:28

If you are buying a £280'000 house but splitting hairs and 'can't afford' a new washer dryer then I think you are the silly ones.

more · 22/09/2008 16:31

I would be mighty p.o.'ed if you wanted to reduce your offer after it had been accepted, simply because you had not done your research to be quite honest. Very unfair and unprofessional.

You can always try, but beware that they might just put the house back on the market depending on how desperate they are to sell.

Swedes · 22/09/2008 16:31

Marina - Would it be OK if the vendors decided to remain in the house and not get divorced after all and took the house off the market, leaving the OP out of pocket?

lalalonglegs · 22/09/2008 16:32

This is the sort of situation where estate agents I have known have gone out and bought a flaming washing machine to avoid the whole sale falling apart. For what it's worth, I think the vendors can afford to be a little bit flexible and throw in a couple of second hand appliances for £280,000. If you are paying close to asking price, these will probably be most expensive white goods you have ever bought.

Original poster
MamaChris · 22/09/2008 16:38

we've told our buyers we'll leave ours, and as they've have haggled over every last detail we can't go back to them, too scared they're going to pull out as it is.

I know we should have checked, in hindsight. But we didn't. I know we've been silly. But not by buying this house - we will be able to afford it once new job starts, but we're on a tight tight budget until that.

I think it can't hurt to ask. As they're moving into rented, I suspect they're selling anything they can get money for. They might reduce, or they might offer to leave them, or even sell to us for 50 quid (good idea, Swedes).

Don't care what they think less of us I think we'd be nasty if we dropped offer at last minute, but a polite question isn't nasty, so I won't think less of us.

OP posts:
more · 22/09/2008 16:41

If they are moving into rented accommodation after having sold a house filled with their own stuff, then I think the reason for them not leaving it behind is that they actually need it, as they are more than likely moving into an unfurnished flat.

They are probably just as unlikely to want to move somewhere without these appliances as you are.

eekamoose · 22/09/2008 16:43

Why are the vendors being silly Swedes??? You keep saying this.

They are as yet unaware that the OP is even considering reducing her offer. Its not as though they have made the reduced offer and the vendors have said no and put the house back on the market.

Or am I missing something here? The vendors don't even KNOW that there is an issue with the washer/dryer.

(BTW I think it is not only unreasonable but morally suspect when purchasers do this in a buyer's market). Its like holding the vendors to ransom.

missingtheaction · 22/09/2008 16:43

legally you can reduce or withdraw your offer any time up to exchange of contracts and don't need any reason to do so

The estate agents details usually say if the appliances are included or not - if they are mentioned in the details they are included, if they are not then generally they are not. It does sound as if it's your mistake. (the last house but one I bought they took the fitted carpets )

If you don't get the appliances with the house will you have to pull out of the purchase? I would definitely do the estate agent thing - get the agents to ask if they can be included. Is there anything you can offer in return - a quick exchange of contracts or something?

Swedes · 22/09/2008 16:44

Offers are not legally binding. So I don't see why the OP is being lambasted for making a genuine mistake about a washer/drier (she is leaving her washer/drier in her house after all and it's therefore a reaosnable presumption). Everything before exchange of contracts is a thrashing out of facts that will form part of the agreement - new things often come to light that alter the price.

Original poster
MamaChris · 22/09/2008 16:44

oh. hadn't realised rented accomodation came without washing machine - all the flats I ever rented had them.

OP posts:
Swedes · 22/09/2008 16:45

I mean it would be silly of them to make a second hand washer drier a sticking point to a sale. I don't think they will.

Marina · 22/09/2008 16:46

Probably not Swedes - I certainly didn't think so when the same was done to us some years ago, I was bitterly angry
Which is why I don't really like goalposts being moved, in principle, in property transactions

AmIWhatAndWhy · 22/09/2008 16:47

I agree eekamoose, my family is having a nightmare at the moment trying to sell my grandparents house, they both passed away within a month of each other earlier this year and everyone in the family just wants it over and done with as soon as possible.

They have however been messed around three times so far, and two of the times by people who live locally and know he situation that were just trying to push it (the last couple dropped their offer by £10k the day before exchange was due to happen)

Why give anyone undue stress, just buy your overpriced house and get an overpiced credit deal on a washer dryer.

Original poster
MamaChris · 22/09/2008 16:52

AmI, I am not proposing to drop the offer by 10k the day before exchange. I am asking whether it is reasonable to ask a question about £600 and admitting a mistake I made. Despite the mix of views here, I think I will ask. But politely and not the day before exchange.

OP posts:
Swedes · 22/09/2008 16:54

Marina - I'm sorry to hear that, that's a horrible thing to have happen. I agree with you. But this is not a moved goalpost, it's a mistake by a genuine buyer. All the stuff up to exchange of contracts is just making sure that the price you are paying is actually buying what you think you are buying.

ruty · 22/09/2008 16:56

well our buyers offered a low offer which we accepted because of the market and needing to move because of new baby. they then reduced it by 5k, which we accepted, then pulled out on day of exchange, after many reassurances that they were going ahead right up to day of exchange. I have fantasises about doing very bad things to them I'm afraid. This is different and pretty reasonable IMO.

Original poster
MamaChris · 22/09/2008 16:58

ruty - sounds awful. and exactly what we're scared our buyers will do!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 22/09/2008 17:02

You can't expect them to effectively buy you a new washing machine & drier though - which is what you're trying to get them to do by reducing your offer by the cost of new appliances.

Offering a sensible price to buy the appliances is more how it usually works.

Marina · 22/09/2008 17:11

Well, good luck with it MamaChris, I truly hope your buyers/vendors don't wreck your happiness and your budget as Ruty's and ours did (Ruty, I still hate them too)
I think my response to your dilemma are heavily coloured by the fact that their treachery started with small, reasonable requests for x y and z - and culminated in utter carnage from our perspective.
It has made me irrationally jumpy in subsequent property deals when people start asking for little favours like bundling in appliances etc after a price has been agreed

goldenpeach · 22/09/2008 19:24

In my opinion if you are so financially strapped you cannot buy new appliances you should not be buying. The market is pretty dead so I would have not offered the full asking price anyway. An estate agent on TV said they now value houses 30 per cent over knowing buyers negotiate 30 per cent off. That said we left our appliances behind as removal men charge extra for them and it is not worth it. We went down to Comet and bought better ones for much less. There are great offers in shop now. I'm not trying to be unkind, I think you should have some reserve money after buying.

Swedes · 22/09/2008 19:41

goldenpeach -