G77

We have our first house viewing on Weds (after 6 weeks on the market) - do we tell them the truth about moving to Canada? Do we also offer furniture etc into the deal to try and tempt an offer? We're probably not going to ship furniture anyway as it's mostly Ikea stuff that would cost nearly as much to ship than to replace....

On the other hand, is this likely to encourage them to take the pee if they think we're desperate (which we are)?

iaink

I wouldnt mention it, they will try and lowball you given the state of the market.

G77

Will they ask where we're going? Seeing as it's "no chain" they might be curious.... What do I say? Moving away with work (which we are )?

What about offering furniture etc - is that alarm bells for leaving the country?

destinationnovascotia

There have been examples of people emigrating who have got agreed sales, booked the shipping, given up jobs etc and then just before exchange of contracts the buyers reduce their offer when they think that you are committed.

Personally I would not say anything. If they ask about furniture just say it's negotiable. If you have an offer and you accept it you can always say that you are getting new stuff in your new house and ask if they want to buy anything.

destinationnovascotia

When we are asked we just say we are moving out of the area. If they persist we say we want to live on the coast, we just don't say which coast

G77

Could have told them you wanted to live on the north shore

happylandings

Hi G77,

We'll be in the same position soon. Know how you feel. I personally think it's better not to say you're going overseas. Just say you're moving on somewhere, 'not their business, or the estate agents'. (Just my view).

Heard cases of buyers agent / lawyer calling for price reductions just before completion, with the knowledge that you 'have booked flights to leave the country etc.'

By the way, how was HIPS to arrange? Was it smooth? We're just treading into the choppy world of house selling....

All The Best, whatever you decide.

HL

Elaine B.

You could always say you're moving into a smaller place (that's a rental) and so need to get rid of some of the furniture.

destinationnovascotia

G77

Estate agent did it for £230 inc VAT, which was reasonable..... however, with hindsight, think I should have waited till we had an offer - don't think you need to do it upfront, just before completion. If we end up renting it out now instead, that £230 will be wasted. On the brightside, if we do get an offer, it will let us complete quickly and we can move ASAP (have a job waiting for me!)

destinationnovascotia

You have to commission your HIP before you are legally allowed to even market your house for sale so you only spent money you had to.

G77

Oh - didn't know that, makes me feel a bit better then..... (even if it is a waste of money)

Surrey Expat

If you go out and let the agent earn their chips you don't need to say anything. Much better to let the agent do the showing and the seller keep out of the way. Far too much emotion goes into house buying and selling. Making up stories and coming up with schemes makes everything so unnecessarily complicated.

Maybe have their own furniture and may not be interested in what you have. Perhaps tell the agent you might be willing do this rather than reduce the price. Could always have lots of garage sales though. Unless furniture is really good quality, so many people have different tastes that it is unlikely to make much difference except to first time buyers.

G77

These are first time buyers - so furniture could be a bonus to them if it's included.

Agent can't do the showing, as it's at 7pm :curse:

destinationnovascotia

And what a waste of money. Ours gives statements about things like the insulation quality and then qualifies each statement with either "not verified" or "assumed" in brackets.

What good is that to a potential buyer anyway.