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Post by Clinton Cool on Jul 8, 2020 7:34:09 GMT
Went over to Abermaw (Barmouth) today to view 3 houses. The one I referred to on this thread is potentially very nice, but needs a lot of work. I haven't ruled it out but the one I really like is a tiny 1 bed 220 year old place built into the rock above the town. Most would walk it's so small but the floor area is around 4 times that in my boat so to me it's not really an issue. The main downside to the lack of space is that there isn't anywhere to put a washing machine so it would have to be one of those small travel ones, stored under the bed (which I'll raise for storage) when not in use. Anyway: I've tended to be a bit cavalier when it comes to surveys. I didn't bother with the last 3 houses I've bought, nor my boat. I'm tending to not bother with one on this occasion as well, and put a cash offer in tomorrow. But then, part of me wonders if I'm being an idiot? As I said it's small, stone built end terrace, walls about a foot thick. Flooring downstairs is quarry tiles. No signs of cracks anywhere, the roof looks to be in good condition. No stains on ceilings or signs (or smells) of damp. Structural beams look straight. Windows wood, they have to be, it's grade 2 listed, all openers did what they should and there was no sign of rot. Bedroom is in the attic, no signs of water ingress or rot in the beams. I didn't check any electrics but the consumer unit looked modern as did the wiring coming from it. The gas boiler worked. So what to do, put an offer with no survey? I'm thinking 9% under the asking price. Or an offer subject to survey? but if I have one, unless I get a really expensive one, will they check much more than I've already checked? All opinions welcome, even if it's only to say that I'm a twat So what to do? Put an offer in I paid for a survey on Horror House which did not flag up any of the issues I found I paid for a survey here which did not flag up the rising damp My sister paid for a survey on the property she brought which did not flag up.... She also had a gas cert issued by the last owners which did not flag up gas leak and subsequent condemning of boiler (3 days after her daughter moved in with 3 small children).. nun said.. ref Horror House I cannot believe they didn't clock any of that You will prob have some damp...I use those crystals as I'm not paying out on the rising damp yet... Patty I've heard you mention 'horror house' on a number of occasions but missed you giving out any detail. Was it a basic 'homebuyer' type survey you've had done? It seems that this type is largely a waste of money, wouldn't highlight any issues the average person would notice and is mostly to enable a mortgage. If I was going to have one it would be a structural one, probably £1000 or so. I'm still thinking about it, but probably won't bother.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jul 8, 2020 7:44:14 GMT
Ref Ruskins Cottage..much prefer it to the other as I think the other would prove bottomless pit of expense. This one u could live in. Good luck with what ever you decide The other one has loads of potential, a fair bit of land with it and the former shop that's included is big, would make a fantastic workshop and storage area. It's 10K less and I have a feeling the owner is open to a significantly lower offer. What puts me off is the former bakery round the back. This would be ideal for converting into a kitchen leaving the existing kitchen as a utility/ storage area. Problem is the bakery looks like it's close to collapsing and given that it's attached to the house that makes me nervous. I don't mind a challenge but this is perhaps a bit more than this. If I can't get Ruskins for a fair price, I'm not paying the asking price, I might offer a straight £105K for Arosfa then pay for a structural report along with advice for development. If all that worked out I'd be happy to spend up to £40K getting it very nice, which it could be.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2020 7:52:24 GMT
Two thoughts.
Grade 2 listed... make sure you are fully aware of the costs and restrictions that apply to the cottage, cost of any essential repairs could go through the roof...
Built into the rock - don't know much about what this statement means but if the 'rock' is part of the structural support of the building then seek expert advice on it, even just to confirm the cottage would be remortgage-able in the future.
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Post by Telemachus on Jul 8, 2020 9:22:50 GMT
Two thoughts.
Grade 2 listed... make sure you are fully aware of the costs and restrictions that apply to the cottage, cost of any essential repairs could go through the roof...
Built into the rock - don't know much about what this statement means but if the 'rock' is part of the structural support of the building then seek expert advice on it, even just to confirm the cottage would be remortgage-able in the future.
Built into the rock ... I’ve always envisaged Ricco as a bit of a caveman so it sounds ideal!
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Post by peterboat on Jul 8, 2020 9:34:58 GMT
Two thoughts.
Grade 2 listed... make sure you are fully aware of the costs and restrictions that apply to the cottage, cost of any essential repairs could go through the roof...
Built into the rock - don't know much about what this statement means but if the 'rock' is part of the structural support of the building then seek expert advice on it, even just to confirm the cottage would be remortgage-able in the future.
It reminds me of Trevor McDonalds Med adventure last night of a hotel built into caves Very nice they were, however you are right, however he could easily extend in secret by digging deeper................................
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Post by patty on Jul 8, 2020 11:26:29 GMT
I paid for a survey on Horror House which did not flag up any of the issues I found I paid for a survey here which did not flag up the rising damp My sister paid for a survey on the property she brought which did not flag up.... She also had a gas cert issued by the last owners which did not flag up gas leak and subsequent condemning of boiler (3 days after her daughter moved in with 3 small children).. nun said.. ref Horror House I cannot believe they didn't clock any of that You will prob have some damp...I use those crystals as I'm not paying out on the rising damp yet... Patty I've heard you mention 'horror house' on a number of occasions but missed you giving out any detail. Was it a basic 'homebuyer' type survey you've had done? It seems that this type is largely a waste of money, wouldn't highlight any issues the average person would notice and is mostly to enable a mortgage. If I was going to have one it would be a structural one, probably £1000 or so. I'm still thinking about it, but probably won't bother. Not the basic survey..it was structural ..in addition I had one done on the surrounding land and another ref coal mines/flooding risk etc... Had lots and they were a waste of money..the only one I didn't and I wish I had was the septic tank one..I would definately have pulled out if the faults had been highlighted(humongous fat deposits/cracked drainage pipes) ..still one learns by what u fail to do. I spent probably well over 120k(I stopped tallying up at 100k) renovating which inc cost of garden/bank issues
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2020 13:52:10 GMT
.still one learns by what u fail to do. That's an interesting way of looking at it. I always thought one learned by ones mistakes (things you did do) and this allows one to be better at making mistakes in future. A "practice makes perfect" sort of thing.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jul 8, 2020 14:23:44 GMT
Two thoughts.
Grade 2 listed... make sure you are fully aware of the costs and restrictions that apply to the cottage, cost of any essential repairs could go through the roof...
Built into the rock - don't know much about what this statement means but if the 'rock' is part of the structural support of the building then seek expert advice on it, even just to confirm the cottage would be remortgage-able in the future.
Built into the rock ... I’ve always envisaged Ricco as a bit of a caveman so it sounds ideal! You're a half decent judge of character. As long as I get my club out from time to time I'm a happy caveman. As for it being built into the rock I think I had a blindfold on yesterday as regards the back of the house. Cavemen and blindfolds don't mix. There's some clearance between the back of the house and the rock, just enough to store stepladders, surfboard etc.
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Post by patty on Jul 8, 2020 15:05:04 GMT
.still one learns by what u fail to do. That's an interesting way of looking at it. I always thought one learned by ones mistakes (things you did do) and this allows one to be better at making mistakes in future. A "practice makes perfect" sort of thing. Well guess you learn by your mistakes as well..lets face it living life is to continually learn...those with blindfolds on could be destined for 6ft under sooner rather than later or maybe not cos theres some right ignorant swine about.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jul 9, 2020 7:05:00 GMT
Well my offer, £12K below the asking price was swiftly dismissed. "It was lovely to meet you, I'm sure you'll enjoy living in Barmouth if you find somewhere suitable, and make lots of friends" Oops. Seems the low offer caused a tad of offense. I do want to buy this place. If I needed to pay the full asking price I could, but I don't want to. I'm thinking of leaving it for a day or two then increase my offer by £7K, that's £5K under the asking price. Alternative strategies welcomed!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 7:34:45 GMT
Offer the asking price ... take it off the market.
Vendor and purchaser are happy.
I'm not sure what 'strategies' are intended to achieve ... the vendors clearly don't wish to slash the price.
Rog
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jul 9, 2020 7:41:31 GMT
Offer the asking price ... take it off the market. Vendor and purchaser are happy. I'm not sure what 'strategies' are intended to achieve ... the vendors clearly don't wish to slash the price. Rog Makes sense. Thing is she did say she was prepared to negotiate so it's whether I can get it £1K under the asking price, £5K, or somewhere in between.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 9:05:29 GMT
If you REALLY don't want to pay the full asking price, perhaps decide what you are prepared to pay and make that a final offer left on the table.
Personally, if I'd decided I wanted to live there, I'd make the asking price on condition there were no more viewings or offers.
Best of luck either way, if it's what you want I hope you get it.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2020 9:12:54 GMT
Are you dealing with an Estate Agent or direct with the owner?
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jul 9, 2020 9:17:33 GMT
Are you dealing with an Estate Agent or direct with the owner? With the owner. It's a strange one. It was with an agent but she pulled it 3 weeks ago. Asked her why, she said the estate agent was closed. Suspect she may have generated enough interest to believe she could sell it without the agent, trying to avoid their fees.
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