Home Staging

I’m just at the signing contract stage of buying a house, but the vendor has now – after 6 weeks, decided she wants to buy a house (she previously was planning on renting) & wants to tie it all in…meaning my move in date will be delayed. I’m living temporarily with a friend after giving up my rented accom & am trapped in a nightmare! Should I threaten to pull out? Though I don’t actually want to! Is there any way of hurrying her along? Would really appreciate some advice! Thanks

I am an agent and this does happen quite regularly. Legally there is nothing that you can do….The Vendor is reliant on your cash for her onward purchase tho, so technically you hold the cards. I would explain your position to the agent and make it clear that this was not the agreement and that you cannot wait a possible 2-3 months longer. You may have to threaten to pull out, but beware if the property is saleable and she knows this, she may call your bluff and try for a new flexible purchaser!

If you are referring to scaffolding to be able to work safely on heights then you can call your local rent-all centre…they will deliver for you.

Our agent says we are priced below our comps and that we get a lot of traffic on the internet and at open houses. Our house has been on the market for 38 days and we have has a total of 2 viewings apart from our open houses. Our house is nicely staged and it looks like a model home. What gives? What should we be asking of our agent? We basically have about $25,000 wiggle room in the price and we were hoping to use that as a "haggling" cushion. Should we shave the price now? Our house is a 1928 tudor in a neighborhood where comps are really difficult as no 2 properties are alike. Is it too early for me to freak out? Should I be concerned about lack of showings if we’re doing well with open houses and on the web as far as hits? Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can impart!
Also our next door neighbor is our agent and friend so it’s a lot more of a sensitive issue –so we can’t go all Rambo on our agent
Oooooo—good point, Angie! I didn’t really think about that. Do you think there’s a conflict of interest here?

How long is the contract with your realitor? Conflict of interest or not – it is is not selling, list it with someone else or try it on your own for say 30 days.

Offer seller concessions of up to 6 percent of the closing costs may help. Offer to pay the appriasal. Print up flyers to hospitals, factories, businesses, grocery stores, with the picture of your home. Listing price, selling price, give up some equity in the home if need be. Good Luck to you. (ok)

I have discovered that the house I live in has a manhole in the living room – the living room is in an extension that was built at a different stage to when the house was built.

Now, do you know if this means the house is not fit for rental and should therefore have never been rented out? If so, can I sue the landlord and get my money back? I’ve been in the house for 4 years, but only found out recently when a neighbour renovating his house asked me if he could have access to the manhole in my living room to unblock the drain.

what do you suggest I do? I’m renting with foxtons, in clapham
thanks for all your answers! I’ll contact the citizens advice bureau to find out more, but your comments have all ben extremely helpful!

You need to go to the CAB these will tell you your rights.

What do you do and how do you do it? I have a list of houses in various stages of foreclosure, now what?

Your first opportunity comes in the "pre-foreclosure" stage, when owners have already defaulted on their mortgage payments but actual foreclosure hasn’t happened yet. To find out about houses in default, visit the local courthouse where defaults are registered. You can then make offers directly to the defaulting homeowner. However, few pre-foreclosure bargains exist among the most desirable homes. Many of those will sell for near their appraised values. Properties that sell at a 20 percent to 40 percent discount usually need repair or are in undesirable communities. At this stage you have about 90 days to act after the default notice is posted and another 21 to 25 days after auction sale date is published. If a property doesn’t sell in pre-foreclosure, and the home owner actually defaults on his mortgage, the home goes to public auction. During this stage you can find the best bargains, but it is fraught with difficulties. Properties are sold "as is," without warranties. Sellers needn’t disclose problems. Buyers may find themselves with unexpected — and expensive repairs. etc. etc.
Hope this helps.