My bf has just called EA to find out how to organise getting quotes for some bits of work that the property needs that were highlighted in our homebuyers report. Just to be on the safe side!
But EA says he needs a copy of the HBR. This sets off alarm bells in my head. Am I being paranoid?
We needed to get some quotes as well for work done, and what we did was go down to the library and get a copy of just the two pages at the back that give the summary.
I can understand why he wants to see it. When I was buying my house at this stage I communicated with the vendors direct along with my solicitor/their solicitor so this wasn't an issue.
If you are still involving your EA in these issues then, yes, he will want to see it - as it may come into some negotiation on price or the actual carrying out of work.
*It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them. -- Pierre De Beaumarchais
That's probably best thing to do. I would also enquire whether the vendors are okay speaking direct to you now that things are well under way. Exchange phone numbers if it suits them and you so that you don't have to be going through a third party with every little thing?
Not saying they would want to but it certainly worked for me.
*It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them. -- Pierre De Beaumarchais
Cehck your Report. Mine stated that it was for my eyes only... I needed permission to show it to anyone other than my Solicitor (ie. the EA / Vendor).
If there is something in there that could result in a price reduction then you could choose to share that section with the EA.
If there are a few standard bits of work, then I wonder why you are asking the EA to arrange quotes at all? Why are you not checking out the likely prices yourself?
If you are unsure about any stage of the house buying process, give your Solicitor a bell. Mine was very helpful in explaining to me what I should and should not be doing / asking.
Ary.
-------------------------------------- ***Do not, I repeat Do NOT feed the Trolls! *** *** All Hail the mighty hamsters! ***
That's why I said about the exchanging phone numbers business, because it sounds to me like Jakkijax is asking the EA as he is the 'go between', from them to the vendor. At the moment, the closest point of contact to the vendor as any quotes would have to be done with the permission of the vendor and they would most probably have to be available and present for any tradesmen visiting to do the quotes.
It's so much easier if you can sort this stuff out between you and like Aryldi says, your solicitor can advise.
When I bought the EA was purely the one who introduced the property and passed on my offers until we agreed on the price. After that I had no more contact with the EA.
*It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them. -- Pierre De Beaumarchais
Originally posted by Aryldi: If there are a few standard bits of work, then I wonder why you are asking the EA to arrange quotes at all? Why are you not checking out the likely prices yourself?
We are getting quotes ourselves (see earlier mention of paranoia!), but the vendors want to deal through the EA's so we have no choice but to use them as a go-between. Very time consuming and annoying!
Originally posted by Aryldi: Cehck your Report. Mine stated that it was for my eyes only... I needed permission to show it to anyone other than my Solicitor (ie. the EA / Vendor).
Who did you have to ask for permission? You paid for it so it's your report.
quote:
If there are a few standard bits of work, then I wonder why you are asking the EA to arrange quotes at all? Why are you not checking out the likely prices yourself?
They can't get a quote without having access to the property.
So pretty much all of you have decided that it's not the business of the seller or their agent to see the independant conclusion to the condition of the property. Yet you all think it totally reasonable that the seller should take your word for it that there is a problem!!!!!! Can I ask you would any of you take my word ( a complete stranger with no knowledge of building construction) that your home is falling down cos that's what your asking
If you paid for it its your report and you are not obliged to let them see it. Says Irate Bob
Cehck your Report. Mine stated that it was for my eyes only... I needed permission to show it to anyone other than my Solicitor (ie. the EA / Vendor). Says Aryldi
Let them have a copy - if they pay for it otherwise its nothing to do with them. Says Karen1
"The greatest trick the Devil played, was convincing us all that he did not exist"
Why not show the EA the relavent points of the survey and if the EA agree's you have a fair case for asking for a reduction then it is his job to point out to the Vendor the reasons why negotiations on the selling price may be considered. Mel.
But before you share the report, check how much you are looking at for the work concerned... if it's not a lot, then there's not a lot of point in getting into deciding whose responsibility it is for the cost.
The Vendors only need to get involved if you actually want the work done before you move in or money off the property. If your quotes come in low then there is no need to worry, now is there?
Ary.
-------------------------------------- ***Do not, I repeat Do NOT feed the Trolls! *** *** All Hail the mighty hamsters! ***
Can I ask you would any of you take my word ( a complete stranger with no knowledge of building construction) that your home is falling down cos that's what your asking
Originally posted by MELBOY: I'm with immy on this one!
Why not show the EA the relavent points of the survey and if the EA agree's you have a fair case for asking for a reduction then it is his job to point out to the Vendor the reasons why negotiations on the selling price may be considered. Mel.
Yes show them, if necessary but don't give them a copy of the report.
I sent the EA the summary page which listed the two main things we need to get quotes for, and a covering letter which briefly mentioned a few other things - which the seller had said he would get sorted when we viewed.
I didn't include anything more detailed, or the valuation part, becuase I found out that their solicitors haven't sent any information through to ours yet (we accepted the offer on March 11!) and I'm afraid they are keeping their options open. I don't want the EA to be able to say to another seller 'oh we have a copy of the survey, and everythings pretty much fine..'
We don't really want a reduction unless the work proves to be REALLY costly (unlikely). Just want to do things properly - this is a big investment, after all!
I would just tell the EA what areas require work, and which of those areas you want to get quotes for. He can then pass this info on to the vendor.
I can understand in a way the vendor wanting to have the EA as the middle man, I suppose they feel they are paying all this commission so they should do more than advertise the house, introduce a buyer and confirm offers. However, they are making the procedure far more long winded than is necessary, if Jakkijax wants to send a builder, for example, in to do a quote on something then she has to contact the builder to see if he can go and have a look, then she has to ask the EA to ask the vendor if X date and time is okay, the EA has to go the vendor, then go back to Jakkijax who then has to go back to the builder. That's long winded enough - imagine that with a few different tradesmen and times and dates not being convenient first off?
When all is said and done there is no harm in showing the EA the summary of work required. I presume that this has not affected your mortgage offer in any way? But you do need to get those quotes in just in case something turns into a bigger job than you thought it would be.
*It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them. -- Pierre De Beaumarchais
no, it hasn't affected our mortgage offer at all, so it's not a huge hige problem.
You're right though, it's incredibly annoying and frustrating trying to get these quote set up. Especially when builders seem so reluctant to answer their phone!!
All Hail the mighty hamsters! 
