Hi there,
Dont be overly keen on the property when you are viewing....
Ask how long on the market, why is it on the market, are there many people viewing....
Be very thorough in viewing the house, i.e. - note any new paint jobs - are they hiding black mould, (I say that as it happened with us!) , ask to see the attic - check the insulation... Is there any?
Check windows - note any black around them - note if they are single/double glazed...
Check the type of light fittings, radiators ... the house may have to be rewired/replumbed....
The reason I suggest this is you are in a great position given the current situation... We bought 2 years ago and have to put in about €20K into the house to get it damp proofed and such...
People selling houses had a captive market and did make use of it...
It is possible that you could get the cost of the above off the asking price....
One tack I did with respect to bidding, we had put in a bid on our current place the evening we viewed it, the EA had informed us that the vendors needed a quick sale and would take the house off the market if they got an offer of €5k above the asking price.....
We put in their requested offer told us to concider the house off the market....
The next day, he phoned me to say someone had put in an offer the same as us and would we up our price!!!!!!
I politely informed him of what he had said the previous night, and told him I was withdrawing our offer as it was obvious he was not a man of his word and to inform the vendor...
We got the house!!!!!
IMO and I don't want to appear as though I am speculating, I think you are buying at a gr8 time if this is a home you are buying....
All the very best, pm me if you need other advice....