NPR

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:23 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:05 pm
I would tax the fuck out of unoccupied properties tbh. Won’t affect property prices but at least you can get some tax income out of the fuckers.

A fine idea except they are all owned by non dom, non res money launderers. How do you propose to tax them? The only thing that might work is some sort of property surcharge based on value and % of time unoccupied with a recourse to (re)possession for failure to pay.

Reality is politicians are NOT going to shaft their billionaire, foreign cronies.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:27 am Unoccupied properties strikes me as the 'close the tax loopholes' of the housing market. Sure, theoretically it could work, but it won't and it's a distraction from things that might.

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:47 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:23 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:05 pm
I would tax the fuck out of unoccupied properties tbh. Won’t affect property prices but at least you can get some tax income out of the fuckers.

A fine idea except they are all owned by non dom, non res money launderers. How do you propose to tax them? The only thing that might work is some sort of property surcharge based on value and % of time unoccupied with a recourse to (re)possession for failure to pay.

Reality is politicians are NOT going to shaft their billionaire, foreign cronies.

I know. It's one of the many things I would do that these fucking shysters will never contemplate.

Yeeb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:57 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:47 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:23 am

A fine idea except they are all owned by non dom, non res money launderers. How do you propose to tax them? The only thing that might work is some sort of property surcharge based on value and % of time unoccupied with a recourse to (re)possession for failure to pay.

Reality is politicians are NOT going to shaft their billionaire, foreign cronies.

I know. It's one of the many things I would do that these fucking shysters will never contemplate.

I also think some form of taxing this foreign owned ‘landbanking’ should be done. Either rent the places out, or tax them - just having them sit there benefits almost nobody.

Saw this, seems decent idea

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/beta.cp2 ... 93763.html

Yeeb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:57 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:47 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:23 am

A fine idea except they are all owned by non dom, non res money launderers. How do you propose to tax them? The only thing that might work is some sort of property surcharge based on value and % of time unoccupied with a recourse to (re)possession for failure to pay.

Reality is politicians are NOT going to shaft their billionaire, foreign cronies.

I know. It's one of the many things I would do that these fucking shysters will never contemplate.

I also think some form of taxing this foreign owned ‘landbanking’ should be done. Either rent the places out, or tax them - just having them sit there benefits almost nobody.

Saw this, seems decent idea

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/beta.cp2 ... 93763.html

Lobby wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 1:44 pm

Yeeb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:57 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:47 am

I know. It's one of the many things I would do that these fucking shysters will never contemplate.

I also think some form of taxing this foreign owned ‘landbanking’ should be done. Either rent the places out, or tax them - just having them sit there benefits almost nobody.

Saw this, seems decent idea

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/beta.cp2 ... 93763.html

Councils can impose of Council tax premium of up to 100% on properties that have been unoccupied for 2 years or more; this is intended to encourage landlords not to leave properties empty, however, I suspect that for many absentee owners, this represents loose change for them, and so is negligible.

Yeeb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:57 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:47 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:23 am

A fine idea except they are all owned by non dom, non res money launderers. How do you propose to tax them? The only thing that might work is some sort of property surcharge based on value and % of time unoccupied with a recourse to (re)possession for failure to pay.

Reality is politicians are NOT going to shaft their billionaire, foreign cronies.

I know. It's one of the many things I would do that these fucking shysters will never contemplate.

I also think some form of taxing this foreign owned ‘landbanking’ should be done. Either rent the places out, or tax them - just having them sit there benefits almost nobody.

Saw this, seems decent idea

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/beta.cp2 ... 93763.html

Line6 HXFX wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:55 am I reckon we should tax people 15% of their incomes for every spare bedroom they own.
Hey, if it is good enough for the poor, sick and unemployed and unpaid carers and the people at the bottom rung if society, it is good enough for the people who can afford it or who cheered this policy into being.

Your MP voted for the bedroom tax, congratulations, you get the bedroom tax.

Line6 HXFX wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:55 am I reckon we should tax people 15% of their incomes for every spare bedroom they own.
Hey, if it is good enough for the poor, sick and unemployed and unpaid carers and the people at the bottom rung if society, it is good enough for the people who can afford it or who cheered this policy into being.

Your MP voted for the bedroom tax, congratulations, you get the bedroom tax.

Raggs wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 5:09 pm Just had an offer accepted on a flat. First time buyers. Rather exciting, but a long way to go yet!

inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:02 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 5:09 pm Just had an offer accepted on a flat. First time buyers. Rather exciting, but a long way to go yet!

Good luck! I remember getting the keys on our first house and being initially disappointed at how wrecked it was, but very quickly getting excited about what we could turn it to. Without wishing to be Thatcher's Child, I do believe everyone should be encouraged to own their own homes - it puts all the responsibility on you, but gives you the freedom and ability to make it exactly how you want it. No more magnolia walls and polyester carpets. Also puts people less at the mercy of rental property squeezes.

And - assuming you're UK -based? - British Heart Foundation is your friend for second-hand furniture.

Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:05 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:02 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 5:09 pm Just had an offer accepted on a flat. First time buyers. Rather exciting, but a long way to go yet!

Good luck! I remember getting the keys on our first house and being initially disappointed at how wrecked it was, but very quickly getting excited about what we could turn it to. Without wishing to be Thatcher's Child, I do believe everyone should be encouraged to own their own homes - it puts all the responsibility on you, but gives you the freedom and ability to make it exactly how you want it. No more magnolia walls and polyester carpets. Also puts people less at the mercy of rental property squeezes.

And - assuming you're UK -based? - British Heart Foundation is your friend for second-hand furniture.

We'll get there eventually, right now there's a long way (and a lot of expenses) to go.

I'm not sure how much 2nd hand stuff I can get my missus to agree to. It's not that she necessarily minds, it's just if it's not what she wants, she won't agree to it.

inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:40 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:05 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:02 am

Good luck! I remember getting the keys on our first house and being initially disappointed at how wrecked it was, but very quickly getting excited about what we could turn it to. Without wishing to be Thatcher's Child, I do believe everyone should be encouraged to own their own homes - it puts all the responsibility on you, but gives you the freedom and ability to make it exactly how you want it. No more magnolia walls and polyester carpets. Also puts people less at the mercy of rental property squeezes.

And - assuming you're UK -based? - British Heart Foundation is your friend for second-hand furniture.

We'll get there eventually, right now there's a long way (and a lot of expenses) to go.

I'm not sure how much 2nd hand stuff I can get my missus to agree to. It's not that she necessarily minds, it's just if it's not what she wants, she won't agree to it.

If it's any comfort when I've gone through the process it seemed like nothing was happening for a few months and then all of a sudden we had the keys in our hand. The searches take time, and the banks are being a bit arsey with lending, but it does gather momentum. As you're first time it'll be a lot simpler as well.

BHF and the like do sell a fair bit of tat, but there is some incredibly high quality stuff in there - we bought a couple of bookcases that were ex-council (they have regional labels on shelves I've preferred to leave) solid wood and I'd put pre-war, £100 the pair. You'd pay more than that for a single Ikea shelf of equivalent size. The real benefit is it gives a choice of design/style - otherwise it seems to be Ikea, the recently resurgent Ercol style or Oak Furniture Land. We rent out our 1850s converted coachhouse in Bath and when we were living there we picked up a few bits of reproduction furniture made in the 50s, mostly as the more modern stuff from our starter home just didn't fit/look right, they're incredibly well-made compared to current - all tongue and groove, inlaid wood, solid drawers and brass fittings. They're dirt cheap as everyone was going more modern. Essentially, be contrary and you'll get bargains

Also worth noting that John Lewis have brought out a cheaper range - almost as a poke in the eye to Boris and partner.

Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:05 am
I'm not sure how much 2nd hand stuff I can get my missus to agree to. It's not that she necessarily minds, it's just if it's not what she wants, she won't agree to it.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:00 pm

Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:05 am
I'm not sure how much 2nd hand stuff I can get my missus to agree to. It's not that she necessarily minds, it's just if it's not what she wants, she won't agree to it.

Then tell her she can go without.

1st world problems.

Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:07 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:00 pm

Raggs wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:05 am
I'm not sure how much 2nd hand stuff I can get my missus to agree to. It's not that she necessarily minds, it's just if it's not what she wants, she won't agree to it.

Then tell her she can go without.

1st world problems.

It'll be a lot more than 1st world problems then!

In truth, I agree with her. It's a place of our own, why get furniture we don't really want when it's hopefully going to be with us for a long time. I'd love to save some cash whilst I'm at it, and if there's something at BHF she likes (or on facebook marketplaces etc) we'll go for it, but if not, we'll not take something just because it's cheaper.

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:08 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

Shit news - sorry to hear it. Had some friends experience this and it's always been a huge blow to them - house buying is stressful enough without this shit.

inactionman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:16 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

Sorry mate, it's such a frustrating system - still amazed there can't be a pre-contract which prevents withdrawal unless for a specified set of conditions. Otherwise, acceptance means nothing and buyers lose a shedload due to surveys etc being for nothing. We've recently bough tin Scotland and you have to deal exclusively through solicitors and they are legally obliged to stop working for you if you try anything like this, a much better system for preventing gazumping. The only real issue with the Scottish system is that you can't 'chain' offers/contracts so if you've sold but purchase falls through you still have to move - this happened to us and we had to couch surf through covid, not ideal.

In England we had an estate agency look to get us into a bidding war, we gave it up for lost but the higher bidder couldn't eventually raise funds - if the gazumper is paying over asking price they may not be actually able to get funds, so might be worth just saying you'll honour your bid unless and until you find an other flat to offer on?

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:18 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

I'm hearing about this happening a lot raggs. In one case a client who'd arranged for me to do some work immediately after completion was gazumped under 2 days beforehand. You've got to factor in a) how much you want the place b) how competitive is the property market round your way and c) how much have you already sunk in in legal/survey fees. Best of luck.

A few of the more ethical agents around here (using the term loosely here) are moving towards sealed bids.

Oh, and globus, being outbid at auction is in no way the same as being gazumped.

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:18 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

I'm hearing about this happening a lot raggs. In one case a client who'd arranged for me to do some work immediately after completion was gazumped under 2 days beforehand. You've got to factor in a) how much you want the place b) how competitive is the property market round your way and c) how much have you already sunk in in legal/survey fees. Best of luck.

A few of the more ethical agents around here (using the term loosely here) are moving towards sealed bids.

Oh, and globus, being outbid at auction is in no way the same as being gazumped.

inactionman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:22 am

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:18 am

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:01 am Fucking fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

Just got a call from the estate agent to say we've been gazumped. Someone who'd had an offer turned down before (I guess the same time ours was accepted), has now put in an offer more than £10k over the asking price. Not sure we're in a position to compete, or if we want to try, just to get further down the line again and have them do the same thing to us.

Wife is going to be pissed. I'm pissed off too.

I'm hearing about this happening a lot raggs. In one case a client who'd arranged for me to do some work immediately after completion was gazumped under 2 days beforehand. You've got to factor in a) how much you want the place b) how competitive is the property market round your way and c) how much have you already sunk in in legal/survey fees. Best of luck.

A few of the more ethical agents around here (using the term loosely here) are moving towards sealed bids.

Oh, and globus, being outbid at auction is in no way the same as being gazumped.

I'm wondering if any given estate agent may be more honourable than others? I'd avoid Hoxtons etc like the plague, although beggars can't necessarily be choosers. Seeing as they're on commission of usually a percent or so, 10k difference is only £100 so surprised agents will run with it (noting the agent can take place off market and not communicate any further bids, in most cases they're complicit in gazumping).

Raggs wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:23 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:22 am

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:18 am

I'm hearing about this happening a lot raggs. In one case a client who'd arranged for me to do some work immediately after completion was gazumped under 2 days beforehand. You've got to factor in a) how much you want the place b) how competitive is the property market round your way and c) how much have you already sunk in in legal/survey fees. Best of luck.

A few of the more ethical agents around here (using the term loosely here) are moving towards sealed bids.

Oh, and globus, being outbid at auction is in no way the same as being gazumped.

I'm wondering if any given estate agent may be more honourable than others? I'd avoid Hoxtons etc like the plague, although beggars can't necessarily be choosers. Seeing as they're on commission of usually a percent or so, 10k difference is only £100 so surprised agents will run with it (noting the agent can take place off market and not communicate any further bids, in most cases they're complicit in gazumping).

I believe agents are legally obliged to tell sellers about higher bids, even when it's STC. They can remove it from market websites etc, but if an offer is made (say someone who'd seen it previously) they have to pass it along.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:42 am UK property market is worse than a Banana Republic during coup season. It’s a national embarrassment and should be overhauled completely.

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:45 am

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:42 am UK property market is worse than a Banana Republic during coup season. It’s a national embarrassment and should be overhauled completely.

Indeed. It needs tearing down and rebuilding on so many levels.

Globus, you may have felt gazumped, but you weren't. You know how to use language well enough to understand this.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:42 am UK property market is worse than a Banana Republic during coup season. It’s a national embarrassment and should be overhauled completely.

Globus wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:50 am

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:45 am

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:42 am UK property market is worse than a Banana Republic during coup season. It’s a national embarrassment and should be overhauled completely.

Indeed. It needs tearing down and rebuilding on so many levels.

Globus, you may have felt gazumped, but you weren't. You know how to use language well enough to understand this.

I understand the observation and I'm talking about the emotion rather than the literal definition.

I bought a nice house in Hemingford Abbots with a river view and a landing stage.

inactionman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:54 pm

Globus wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:50 am

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:45 am

Indeed. It needs tearing down and rebuilding on so many levels.

Globus, you may have felt gazumped, but you weren't. You know how to use language well enough to understand this.

I understand the observation and I'm talking about the emotion rather than the literal definition.

I bought a nice house in Hemingford Abbots with a river view and a landing stage.

The emotion is one having though the bid was accepted and the deal was complete, in good faith and usually involving considerable blood, sweat, tears and treasure to conclude, and then having the buyer/seller totally recant with further implications for significant blood, sweat, tears and treasure.

Losing an auction is the exact same thing - literally - as not having a bid accepted.

inactionman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:54 pm

Globus wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:50 am

Happyhooker wrote: ↑Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:45 am

Indeed. It needs tearing down and rebuilding on so many levels.

Globus, you may have felt gazumped, but you weren't. You know how to use language well enough to understand this.

I understand the observation and I'm talking about the emotion rather than the literal definition.

I bought a nice house in Hemingford Abbots with a river view and a landing stage.

The emotion is one having though the bid was accepted and the deal was complete, in good faith and usually involving considerable blood, sweat, tears and treasure to conclude, and then having the buyer/seller totally recant with further implications for significant blood, sweat, tears and treasure.

Losing an auction is the exact same thing - literally - as not having a bid accepted.