Well after saying we weren't going to buy just now and see how the prices went. We've recently had an offer accepted on a house that is just right for us.

I need some advice on the normal procedure as I'm not sure if the EA is trying to do me over or what. We have bought before but it was a sellers market, so last time we didn't bother with any further reports, as there was no way we could knock anything off for remedial work, so we don't know what the usual procedure is.

We've recently had a home buyers survey done on the house (independent to the mortgage valuation) and it has come back with some areas of concern, one which might affect the price we have agreed on depending on the severity of it. I want to arrange to have some specialist to check and quote for any remedial work. After phoning the EA to explain this, they have said to send them a copy of the report and then they will discuss it further with me. Is this the usual procedure? I thought that I would arrange any reports I wanted on the house and then discuss the outcome with the EA, not discuss it before as to whether the reports should be done or not.

EAs are acting for the vendor so want to know if areas for concern are real or YOU are just trying to get money off. They are not the most trusting of people. You decide if you want the reports done. If the vendor or EA refuse be a little suspicious in case there is something to hide but most people are a little touchy about people coming to look for defects so I suppose it's understandable. Try to be sensitive and just say you want to be thorough.

We had this we bought our house. What the estate agents really want is the bit in the surveyors report that says what the market value of the house is. I guess if the surveyor says its worth the amount you're paying for it then you may have difficulty getting money knocked off. If you can, try and talk direct to the vendor.

Hope this helps,

b