How much should we offer?

[underwaterrhymes]

We've put down an offer on a house that was accepted. Provided the inspection goes well (and we have no reason to think it won't) the house is ours.

The owners are including a ton of stuff including the fridge, the washer / dryer, the snow blower, the lawn mower, the grill, the garden tools, some exercise equipment including an elliptical, a stationary bike, a treadmill, and some free weights, as well some miscellaneous furniture they're willing to throw in if we want it (including two Lazy Boy chairs).

There is a very nice desk and credenza they're also willing to sell. I work from home and would love love love those pieces, but have no idea what to offer. I'm guessing the set was at least $2,000 or $3,000 new. What would you offer?

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2015 15:19:00 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

I don't know if I am offbase or what but I would offer anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2. It might be less money but if we're talking about big pieces of furniture here it's less stuff for them to move.

They are huge. And quality. It's definitely not particle board.

[themoneytree]

Can you ask them to throw out a number?

[snipsnsnails]

$800

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2015 15:23:39 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

I'd pay about 4k for all of it including the desk/credenza. And pay cash, don't include it in the mortgage.

All of that is free except the desk and credenza.

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2015 15:23:16 GMT -5 themoneytree said:

Can you ask them to throw out a number?

They've asked us to make an offer. I don't want to insult them, especially when they've been so generous.

[zoomzoom]

I can't remember why, but our realtor advised against doing this. We wanted to sell our treadmill with the house b/c we didn't want to move it. In the end, we just left it behind. I would maybe check with your realtor to get their opinion. He also advised against us trying to buy pieces from the people we bought our new house from. Then again, our realtor was a fucking toolshed so take that with a grain of salt. The owners ended up having an estate sale so we were able to get what we wanted that way. Estate sales are so weird.

[um]

$1000

[underwaterrhymes]

I don't know the brand of the desk and credenza, but I imagine we could find out.

I just want to be clear that they've said everything is ours at no charge; but they are hoping to sell the desk and credenza. If we don't want it, I'm sure someone else will. And it would be useful to me as we have away my nice desk when we moved. I only mentioned the other stuff because I feel that although they're undoubtedly leaving it behind because they don't want to be bothered, it's all stuff that is really high quality that we want. So we are jazzed and want to be fair in our offer for the desk and credenza.

[underwaterrhymes]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[Gato]

Provided they are in excellent condition, I'd offer $1200.

ETA: Oh, and congratulations!!

[themoneytree]

Mar 3, 2015 15:25:58 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mar 3, 2015 15:23:16 GMT -5 themoneytree said:

Can you ask them to throw out a number?

They've asked us to make an offer. I don't want to insult them, especially when they've been so generous.

Darn. What would you pay for them if you found them on Craigslist? I would start there and round up a little. I'm thinking an offer of $850 if that's in your budget. $500 if you're tight on cash. They can only say no.

Good luck!

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2015 15:31:38 GMT -5 Gato said:

Provided they are in excellent condition, I'd offer $1200.

ETA: Oh, and congratulations!!

They're in beautiful condition.

[underwaterrhymes]

This is the desk.

[Deleted]

I'd offer $1,000 and be willing to go up to $1,250.

[snipsnsnails]

I'd still go with $800. Though it's a nice piece, it's a pain to move and would take a very specific buyer (both for the hassle of transport and the space needed for it) to sell it.

[Deleted]

I would offer $1000.

[Deleted]

Mar 3, 2015 15:25:58 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mar 3, 2015 15:23:16 GMT -5 themoneytree said:

Can you ask them to throw out a number?

They've asked us to make an offer. I don't want to insult them, especially when they've been so generous.

$1500 cash

[Deleted]

I was going to say $500 until I saw the picture. They are gorgeous.

If they paid $2500 new, I think $850 is reasonable. Plus you save them the hassle of moving it, which looks like it could be a big PITA based on their size.

ETA- Throw in an extra $50 and ask for the lamp too! That looks like a dream home office.

[underwaterrhymes]

Okay, cool. I think we'll offer $1,000 or $1,200 and see what they say.

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2015 16:07:06 GMT -5 @lorelaireadsagain said:

I was going to say $500 until I saw the picture. They are gorgeous.

If they paid $2500 new, I think $850 is reasonable. Plus you save them the hassle of moving it, which looks like it could be a big PITA based on their size.

ETA- Throw in an extra $50 and ask for the lamp too! That looks like a dream home office.

The whole house is beautiful. It's so well-cared for.

[demelza]

Wow that is a nice desk! I'd offer $1200.

[shopgirl07]

Moving that would be a giant pain in the ass. And it's very taste specific, so even though it's nice it probably doesn't have a huge market. I think $1k is too much. I'd start with $500-$700. I would definitely negotiate.

[riffraff]

Mar 3, 2015 15:26:46 GMT -5 zoomzoom said:

I can't remember why, but our realtor advised against doing this. We wanted to sell our treadmill with the house b/c we didn't want to move it. In the end, we just left it behind. I would maybe check with your realtor to get their opinion. He also advised against us trying to buy pieces from the people we bought our new house from. Then again, our realtor was a fucking toolshed so take that with a grain of salt. The owners ended up having an estate sale so we were able to get what we wanted that way. Estate sales are so weird.

That is strange, it is very common practice where I live.

I have had two friends buy houses recently, and once of them basically bought all the furniture in the house.

[zoomzoom]

I can't remember the reason he gave. But, like I said, he was an idiot. I *think* it had something to do with keeping it separate from the mortgage. I also think he was just plain lazy and didn't want to deal with it.

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2015 16:53:09 GMT -5 zoomzoom said:

I can't remember the reason he gave. But, like I said, he was an idiot. I *think* it had something to do with keeping it separate from the mortgage. I also think he was just plain lazy and didn't want to deal with it.

We would pay cash, completely separate from the mortgage.

[riffraff]

Mar 3, 2015 16:53:09 GMT -5 zoomzoom said:

I can't remember the reason he gave. But, like I said, he was an idiot. I *think* it had something to do with keeping it separate from the mortgage. I also think he was just plain lazy and didn't want to deal with it.

I guess with the mortgage it would have to be appraised? who knows

[EmilieMadison]

Mar 3, 2015 15:25:58 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mar 3, 2015 15:23:16 GMT -5 themoneytree said:

Can you ask them to throw out a number?

They've asked us to make an offer. I don't want to insult them, especially when they've been so generous.

Honestly, it sounds like they're downsizing and it would be to their benefit to leave all of these things behind, either because they dont have room or because it will be too much hassle to move them. I'd offer $500. If they are like "OMG no! We were thinking more like $2K!" then you'll know. 

[dojo]

I almost never make the first offer but I understand your predicament if they have asked you to make a first offer. I think $800 is a low but not unfair price for both pieces. Chances are they don't want to move them. If you're willing to go up to $1000.00 I would start with $800.00.

[sewpinkgal]

The sellers for our current house offered us several pieces before they moved, all at 50% of what they paid. They were in great condition and were perfect for our needs. We offered a bit less for buying several pieces and they happily agreed. We just paid them cash on the day we picked up the keys.

Starting at $1000 or $1200 sounds completely reasonable to me.

When do you guys move in?