Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Should we accept this offeron our flat?? Advice please!

38 replies

cherrysunday · 03/04/2009 11:59

It's our 7th offer and we've only been on the market for a month. It's 11 thousand under the asking price so we would loose 12 thousand.

Our agent is really trying to push us to accept but is that because they might well be a bit desperate?!

It's a lovely flat in very sort after city and we're still having lots of viewings.

Just don't know - we really need a house you see as have 2 boys!

tia

OP posts:

Lizzylou · 03/04/2009 12:58

Honestly, go ack to the Estate Agent and see if they'll go up on the offer, you'd kick yourself if you didn't.

Agree, the Estate Agent just wants his commission quickly, get him working on your behalf.

Lizzylou · 03/04/2009 12:59

back obv!

JimmyMcNulty · 03/04/2009 13:05

I think you will find the process all the more stressful if you let your hackles be raised by negotiations like this. It doesn't sounds to me that - at the moment - your potential buyers are being 'arsey' by saying what they want. They aren't 'demands', are they, when it's you who can choose to accept or reject their offer! It's you who is in control here.

They've put down their reasons for the level of their offer (which at least shows a bit of thought and you should take it as useful feedback), none of which sound all that outrageous to me. Like you, they don't want to pay out more than necessary. Try not to get offended by these things - it's not your children whose flaws they are pointing out (I am sure they don't have any ).

It sounds to me as though you can afford to wait a short time, however, as they sound quite keen at the right price. I'm utterly convinced that plenty more price falls are coming (and I don't think they're wrong to point out the direction of the market), but since you've had plenty of interest in a short time you might as well see what else turns up.

Original poster

cherrysunday · 03/04/2009 13:05

Thanks lizzylou - I forgot to mention, they've already upped their offer from 177,950 to 185,000! Does that mean we really should be grateful?! I don't know whether it's their final offer though - We've said we'll think about it.

But my gut instinct really is that they might be hard work/arsy though?!

OP posts:

Original poster

cherrysunday · 03/04/2009 13:11

I think you've hit the nail on the head jimmymcnulty!

I do feel a bit insulted with their long list of flaws (I know that's stupid!) but I love our flat.
The agent forwarded their email and it was a little ridiculous things like our original sash windows aren't energy efficient!
But you are right we will take it as feedback and get the jobs done.

It's such hard work keeping the place spotless when there's a toddler and a 6 week old!

OP posts:

Original poster

cherrysunday · 03/04/2009 13:12

God, hope they're not mumsnetters!

OP posts:

madeindevon2 · 03/04/2009 13:17

insisting you repaint because of sticky finger marks is totally pointless.
buyers may have totally different taste and want to repaint anyway.
anyone who doesnt buy a property because of the decoration/paintwork alone is not a serious buyer imo.

AllyAlly · 03/04/2009 13:19

I agree with the others, tell the EA what your minimum price is & let him do the hard work. Congrats on the offers you have had in such a short period of time, that is awesome. We've been on the market for 2 months now & have had a fair number of viewings but no offers as they either think it is too small (it is but they can see that from the brochure) or they don't like the parkign situation (fair enough). Good luck!

JimmyMcNulty · 03/04/2009 13:32

If it was me I wouldn't be able to resist responding very straight-facedly to their points in turn, partly to show you are not dismissing them but also to reveal their daftness. i.e. "Point 2a: windows not energy efficient. Windows are original and date from [insert], before advent of double-glazing."

But that may be a tad condescending .

I disagree with madeindevon however that the silly trivia means they aren't serious buyers. They have sat down and thought of every little thing they can to persuade you that theirs is the best offer you can hope for. That says to me they want it.

spiralqueen · 03/04/2009 13:42

I'd certainly hold off if you haven't got a new mortgage arranged yet. As you'll be in negative equity how easy will it be to get a new mortgage and how much will they actually let you borrow? That will have a big influence on what you afford to accept in the way of offers.

I'd check out the mortgage situation before you do anything else.

clam · 03/04/2009 13:59

The estate agent is pushing it by saying he'll help negotiate down the price of anything you want to buy. He is absolutely not in any position to be able to do that. Even if you buy another property through his agency, his loyalty is to get the best price for the vendor, not the purchaser.

madeindevon2 · 03/04/2009 16:29

jimmy - i agree with you(so i dont think you are actually disagreeing with me!)
yes their petty comments about decoration show they are very keen to get the place at a lower price.
however i stand by my first comment - anyone who loves a property and doesnt buy it merely because they dont like the paintwork in a few rooms is nuts!

thisisyesterday · 03/04/2009 19:05

the agent may be legally bound to pass on offers, but that doesn't mean he cannot tell potential buyers that the offer is unlikely to be accepted, or that it has not met your threshold.

as a buyer I was certainly told that a couple of times by different agents when considering cheeky offers! lol

they sound like trouble to me, repainting, probs with sash windows.
prob not worth it IMO. I mean, I would love a place with proper sash windows! even if they aren't that energy efficient.

Flip

1 2