Man of Honour
Sorry I didn't just mean to contact you, I meant about what you were viewing, what you've bid on, etc.
Buying a house, Warnings from other estate agents
- Thread starter Woogie
- Start date
Sorry I didn't just mean to contact you, I meant about what you were viewing, what you've bid on, etc.
Ah yeah there's no way they knew that information (well the first anyway) The second may have known as we have spoken to there in house mortgage adviser so she will have passed the info along (So much for that being private)
Soldato
Estate agents all talk to each other, whether officially or not.
They are vermin and are just hoping you pull out in order that they may get a sale.
Fact is though, I would be very wary of that property.
They are vermin and are just hoping you pull out in order that they may get a sale.
Fact is though, I would be very wary of that property.
Soldato
Woogie: What about the outside wall of the garage, definitely concerned about it's footings would definitely have a look at it from the neighbours side.
I would be looking at a retaining wall for the garage as well.
Does that existing single wall run the length of the rear garden as well?
Also as the driveway as settled, any problem with the sewage system, broken pipes,etc.
I have a bad habit when viewing houses,I always make a point of lift manhole covers to have a look, can tell you many things.
I would be looking at a retaining wall for the garage as well.
Does that existing single wall run the length of the rear garden as well?
Also as the driveway as settled, any problem with the sewage system, broken pipes,etc.
I have a bad habit when viewing houses,I always make a point of lift manhole covers to have a look, can tell you many things.
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Why? Some further explanation would be appreciated
The right hand wall of the Garage appears to be actually Asbestos (White not blue) or a similar looking material and the wall runs the length of the house and garden (Garden is done slightly differently) I removed the cover that you can see on the drive way and everything down there appears to be perfect, No bulges in the wall and the pipe looked clear and unbroken. We are actually looking at having the garage pulled down in the next few years and proper footings put in if they do not exist in preparation for an extension on the house so a bigger retaining wall would be built at this point for the house.
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Soldato
I put in an offer on a house last year, but then found out that a previous buyer got spooked and pulled out. I later found out that they had obtained a full structural survey and whilst I was not able to see it, it was enough for me to pull out.
I still do not know what the problem was (there was nothing visible), but if someone does that, there is a serious underlying issue.
I did not want to pay for my own survey to find out the same thing so moved on to other properties, one of which I ended up buying and move into next week.
My other point is that estate agents talk to each other. They even go out socially sometimes, as they like to share gossip and problem purchasers etc. I have no doubt that they discuss problem properties as well which is why you may (or may not) have received those calls. Ultimately they want a sale from you as they know you are in the market so they may well just be giving you a wink there may be an underlying problem.
The previous buyer were aware of the issues right until the day of exchanging contracts then did not turn up. They would have been aware of any major structural issues for weeks prior to this.
We have already paid for the higher of the 2 surveys (21 page document) but I do not believe this is a full structural survey
We have had the full report and will hear back within a week with regards to it all. The house itself is fine as it has proper footings but the drive does not hence the slippage and only had single brick retaining wall. If you look at the Picture below you can see the wall on the right is leaning ever so slightly.
Nice looking house, being a bit cautious I wonder about that wall - looks like it might fall (eventually) and possibly be quite an expensive claim from the neighbours / injured kids etc.
The wall is one of our 2 concerns with regards to the house and is being budgeted to be fixed the moment we move in, although the Vendor have apparently come forward and said they are willing to either have it fixed or give a fixed amount towards it being fixed.
Soldato
I would be looking to get whole wall replaced as far as length of garage,not just the section which supports driveway.
Your lucky that the side wall of garage is asbestos, so considerably less weight & stress against that section of wall, but still some risk of it collapsing.
Your lucky that the side wall of garage is asbestos, so considerably less weight & stress against that section of wall, but still some risk of it collapsing.
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I'm not surprised that wall is falling over, there must be 6ft of earth held back by single skin blockwork.
The house at the back of my Mother's house had a drop to the side like that, I knew the house would crack down the middle eventually, but it did take 10 years before it went.
But if you intend fixing that issue with new foundations, then no problem.
The house at the back of my Mother's house had a drop to the side like that, I knew the house would crack down the middle eventually, but it did take 10 years before it went.
But if you intend fixing that issue with new foundations, then no problem.
where I moved to recently must be black listed because I've been getting loads of letters for the previous tenant that were obviously from debt collectors so I opened them
Had no problem getting any services as they all went on my previous address for credit checks and virgin said I was a 5
Soldato
I'd be weary of buying a house in Luton too 
MW
MW
I wonder if the ones contacting you are trying make sure it doesn't sell with the current agent so they can contact the seller saying 'we could sell it for you, let us list it'? Just a thought I really don't know anything about buying a house as I've always rented.
Soldato
I'd be weary of buying a house in Luton too
MW
Oi! Luton is not that bad.
@op, are u from Luton or just moved in? and in what part of Luton is the house?
Kind of looks like the Stokingstone road area to me, but i am probably wrong.
Also i know a good driveway installer and builder if u ever need one
We have had confirmation that this is the case, Over the last week the current owners have had 5 other estate agents call them asking to sell through them as they have a buyer lined up
Oi! Luton is not that bad.
@op, are u from Luton or just moved in? and in what part of Luton is the house?
Kind of looks like the Stokingstone road area to me, but i am probably wrong.
Also i know a good driveway installer and builder if u ever need one
Originally from Birmingham but moved to St Albans nearly 2 years ago, moved out of there to Houghton Regis last year and now moving into Luton. Girlfriend works in Luton and its too expensive to buy in St Albans and we have friends who live in the area we are buying so know its nice.
Spot on with the location Just off the old bedford road where it meets Stockingstone. May very well be interested in that thanks
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Soldato
We have had confirmation that this is the case, Over the last week the current owners have had 5 other estate agents call them asking to sell through them as they have a buyer lined up
Originally from Birmingham but moved to St Albans nearly 2 years ago, moved out of there to Houghton Regis last year and now moving into Luton. Girlfriend works in Luton and its too expensive to buy in St Albans and we have friends who live in the area we are buying so know its nice.
Spot on with the location Just off the old bedford road where it meets Stockingstone. May very well be interested in that thanks
Small world, i live near Morrisons (formely Netto's) in Houghton.
That area is quite good, so you shouldnt have any neighbours from hell around there
Caporegime
Check for an Indian burial ground in the basement.
Small world, i live near Morrisons (formely Netto's) in Houghton.
That area is quite good, so you shouldnt have any neighbours from hell around there
Really is a small world, I live by the Total garage opposite the Crown... See anyone on a Blue Kawasaki, Blue and White helmet and bright Orange back pack flying around the area its me