Put our First Ever House Offer In (Re-wiring query)

Trust me, the estate agent is showing  that house to other people right now, telling them your offer and suggesting they top it. 

Seriously.  There is a word for it.  Gazumping.  It's the most bonkers real estate system in the world.  NO DOUBT. 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gazump

. I am definitely doing the one above the basic lender's survey.

Do note that i'd just check the fine print. Our house had underpinning done so we wanted a more detailed survey but we read the details of the difference between them and went with basic lender's because they weren't going to actually do much more than the basic lenders for a fairly higher price (just the quotes we looked at). The extras it offered werent actually useful to us as the fine print said they'd not do any "disruptive" work to check foundations, etc. Also, while it advised we get electrics checked (they seem to state this for every house so, dont panic if you see it), they cant check themselves (maybe your surveyor can though, so - again - id check the fine print). If i were you, id pay an independent electrician to check the house before you exchange.

Definitely buyers market down here. Its really bad so definitely has my view about offering full price warped lol.

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In Scotland, all homes have to have a Home Report (which is a survey, energy assessment, and property questionnaire) and they give valuations too, all done within the last 12 weeks.

So, pretty much,you're not paying less than the valuation on the home report ,unless it's really not shifting, area sucks , etc.  No gazumping either. Much more civilised up here. 

Seriously.  There is a word for it.  Gazumping.  It's the most bonkers real estate system in the world.  NO DOUBT. 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gazump

And the estate agent works for the seller not the buyer and has the advantage that they know (roughly, at least) the scope of your budget and will advise the buyer whether or not they should take your offer or counter. 

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In Scotland, all homes have to have a Home Report (which is a survey, energy assessment, and property questionnaire) and they give valuations too, all done within the last 12 weeks.

So, pretty much,you're not paying less than the valuation on the home report ,unless it's really not shifting, area sucks , etc.  No gazumping either. Much more civilised up here.

Honestly, somebody needs to do somethibg down here. Even in a buyers market its BAD.

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Oh crazy buyer's market in the southeast.  People can't give their houses away!

Scotland does SO many things better than us!!

Seriously.  There is a word for it.  Gazumping.  It's the most bonkers real estate system in the world.  NO DOUBT. 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gazump

I was aware of this and i asked two friends to express interest in a viewing. The agents cancelled their viewings with no opportunity for any viewings until a potential fall through from our side. It gives me confidence that we're solely working on buying the house. Nothing others coming in and blindly offering more, however.

Do note that i'd just check the fine print. Our house had underpinning done so we wanted a more detailed survey but we read the details of the difference between them and went with basic lender's because they weren't going to actually do much more than the basic lenders for a fairly higher price (just the quotes we looked at). The extras it offered werent actually useful to us as the fine print said they'd not do any "disruptive" work to check foundations, etc. Also, while it advised we get electrics checked (they seem to state this for every house so, dont panic if you see it), they cant check themselves (maybe your surveyor can though, so - again - id check the fine print). If i were you, id pay an independent electrician to check the house before you exchange.

Definitely buyers market down here. Its really bad so definitely has my view about offering full price warped lol.

I fully intend on getting an independent evaluation of the electrics. Where safety is concerned I am not messing around. However, if something is flagged we have extra leverage as their first estate agent expressed a likely rewire potential. Even though he is incompetent he's still representing the estate agent.

I fully intend on getting an independent evaluation of the electrics. Where safety is concerned I am not messing around. However, if something is flagged we have extra leverage as their first estate agent expressed a likely rewire potential. Even though he is incompetent he's still representing the estate agent.

If anything flags, you might actually request the seller pay for the independent survey...just a thought

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If anything flags, you might actually request the seller pay for the independent survey...just a thought

The thing is, what's stopping them just saying no? Where do I go from there?

*cough*  Ben is British.  His wife is the American.  *cough*

Sorry Ben, no offense intended! 

The thing is, what's stopping them just saying no? Where do I go from there?

Nothing....but dont ask, dont get. You ask, they say no, you say "okay" and find somebody to do it and pay for it yourself. Why not even try? You arent being cheeky. People do this regularly and youd have justification as to why. Theyve accepted your offer. They arent going to back out because you asked them to present an electrical report.

Just trying to save you money because the more money in the bank, the better. You mentioned having about 3 more years on the boiler. Some of the money you could save could go into savings for when your boiler plays up. Honestly, ive just moved into our 3rd house (only having gone through thr buying process myself twice) and this would not be an all that uncommon question under this context and i wish i had done a lot different with out purchases so we could have at least tried to save ourselves more money (as thats more to go to renovations or a "rainy day").


I'll leave it at that but ultimately iust do whatever feels right to you. Just concerned youre going to give up a lot more than you should/need to but thats just my natural negative/overly cautious approach for myself. Everything will work out

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The thing is, what's stopping them just saying no? Where do I go from there?

Well, if they say no, you're no worse off than if you didn't ask.  And then you can decide if you want to pay for one, or withdraw your offer, or what you want to do.

As for finding a good solicitor, word of mouth is very useful.  People have opinions about solicitors and they will be happy to express them.

All very good points! Any of you Americans want a negotiating job??

In Scotland, all homes have to have a Home Report (which is a survey, energy assessment, and property questionnaire) and they give valuations too, all done within the last 12 weeks.

So, pretty much,you're not paying less than the valuation on the home report ,unless it's really not shifting, area sucks , etc.  No gazumping either. Much more civilised up here.

It has been easier buying a home here than opening a bank account or getting an appointment with my GP.

We should be closing in 9 days. We only just viewed the house for the first time on 3 September!  The mortgage broker and solicitors have made this process extremely easy.

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