Moving house advice

[E10EU]

Word of advice regarding solicitors: my estate agent offered contacts for a few with whom they have favourable arrangements. I had no problem with that in principle. So I chose a solicitor with office in Walthamstow but it turned out that it is no longer in existence. The door is locked and the letterbox is taped shut. The solicitor supposed to be based there now is online only. Wouldn't have instructed her if I had known that.

[Dunners]

Seems that this was largely due to them not understanding that the length of the lease is irrelevant when you are buying a share of the freehold.

Not meaning to call anyone out, but this is simply not correct.

The lease remains the product, and the remaining years (the term) are the asset. Being a leaseholder and being a shareholder in the freehold management company are two separate legal realities with dual rights and responsibilities.

Shares in the freehold company do not immediately entitle you to free or cheaper lease extensions. It's just that the directors of the company usually fail to appreciate their fiducary duties and grant an additional term without realising the true commercial value.

So the prospective assignee in this scenario was right to be cautious.

[Long slender neck]

The buyer of our house had a survey but now wants a bunch of further ' specialist' surveys or quotes done, with a view to knocking down the price i presume. They sent a roofer round who didnt really even know why he'd been sent. Should I allow this?

[Dunners]

Entirely up to you. But anyone buying a home should undertake all necessary due diligence and take all appropriate professional advice to satisfy themselves that it's a sound acquisition.

If the vendor should do anything to obstruct that then it would be a red flag in my book. You must be trying to hide some proper dodgy defects in your gaff.

[E10EU]

The buyer of our house had a survey but now wants a bunch of further ' specialist' surveys or quotes done, with a view to knocking down the price i presume. They sent a roofer round who didnt really even know why he'd been sent. Should I allow this?

I don't think you can really refuse as that would signal "there must be something adverse to hide"-
The impressions I gained from my experience of selling a property: as more and more regulations are made (all for good reasons), that then offers an opportunity for 'experts' to develop a market for their service. Solicitors for the buyers request all these to fulfill their obligations on paper.
And they may have preferred experts whom they choose to instruct! I don't think that the buyers of my flat really read the 30 page reports.
A bit like the energy efficiency assessment now always required. Which buyer really takes notice of them?

[Long slender neck]

So what do i do? Allow the extra surveys, hope they don't find anything and then what?

[E10EU]

So what do i do? Allow the extra surveys, hope they don't find anything and then what?

Simple answer: yes. Unless you have another possible buyer as a back up - and who is to say that the back up won't also request the same survey?
Don't be so defensive. If a possible issue is identified, discuss and negotiate.

[Long slender neck]

You're right, i just needed to calm down a bit i think.

Its just irritating because I don't believe any problems have actually been found, its all arse covering maybes and commonly found type stuff.

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

It’s all just part and parcel of it, and is best just sucked up.

[Hoover Attack]

They’re also more committed once they’ve had these surveys done (unless there are any major issues).

Don’t forget to message Heymessy your new address mate, save him trying to find it out.

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

Just realised you have my address. And you never even sent me anything after I sent you the Jobi pic. Have you been passing my details on to OFF?

[Hoover Attack]

Awkward….

Was genuinely going to get you a bottle of Jamaican rum as a thank you but then you started banging on about being tee-total so ruined that idea.

Ill probably just wait for my kid to grow out of their Star Wars toys and bag them up for you.

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

Not a fan of rum anyway so probably for the best
Bagged up Star Wars toys when your kids grow out of them (when they’re around 50 based on when the people I know grow out of them) will do nicely.
As long as the address doesn’t end up in the hands of Rev, OFF or that lady boxer we’re good

[Rich Tea Wellin]

You're right, i just needed to calm down a bit i think.

Its just irritating because I don't believe any problems have actually been found, its all arse covering maybes and commonly found type stuff.

It is well annoying but you’ve also got to think that the buyers are making a huge commitment and they don’t know anything about the house that you do. Just ensure that no checks are invasive I.e. cutting holes in the wall to check things as they can pull out and leave you with maintenance fix it.

Wait until you get to the back and forth as to who’s going to pay for a £15 indemnity insurance for a random pipe

[Proposition Joe]

Who's the lady boxer?

[ContrifibulatoryFred]

I am enjoying this thread

[Hoover Attack]

Wasn't there like a barrister/boxer on here once upon a time? Is that them?

[CEB2ElectricBoogaloo]

Who's the lady boxer?

The one who will sue me if I don’t think she’s a lady

[Proposition Joe]

Oh.

I got propositioned by a lady boxer once. Well, I say lady, she was 16. Definitely female though as she was very, very pregnant. I met her while doing a home visit after her parents were kicking her out and her Dad went OFF about how she'd "ruined her life" while showing me all her boxing trophies and bemoaning the fact she'd "never be a champion now".

Somehow I resisted the offer of seeing her again in a non-professional capacity.

[Proposition Joe]

Wasn't there like a barrister/boxer on here once upon a time? Is that them?

Mickeykas now only wishes to be known as Minniekas.

[Monkey Boy]

So what do i do? Allow the extra surveys, hope they don't find anything and then what?

Simple answer: yes. Unless you have another possible buyer as a back up - and who is to say that the back up won't also request the same survey?
Don't be so defensive. If a possible issue is identified, discuss and negotiate.

Good advice, I presume you have an estate agent they should be able to advise you and the buyer, they get paid well for doing very little so I would use there services more and get them to represent you,as a good agent deals with this every day, you don’t.

[Long slender neck]

Agent doesnt seem to do much except pass messages on.

[Max B Gold]

You're right, i just needed to calm down a bit i think.

Its just irritating because I don't believe any problems have actually been found, its all arse covering maybes and commonly found type stuff.

They're wining against you. They have got inside your head and are making you anxious and wanting it all to end ASAP.

Take back control. Set a deadline. What is their best offer. Are they in or are they out? Remember it's a buyers market.

[BoniO]

Agent doesnt seem to do much except pass messages on.

Well, er, tell them to get their finger out or you’ll move to another agent and they’ll lose their nice fat commission. Der….

[Monkey Boy]

Agent doesnt seem to do much except pass messages on.

Yes that’s what some do, unfortunately LSN you have to pester them as you do with solicitors, because your wonder why they get so much for so little,get on the phone every day make them earn there money. I know you shouldn’t have to but