Thanks very much Brendan
Unfortunately the banks we have spoken to will not lend any money on a house with structural issues so we cannot buy it as is.
Would prefer to do that really but it is just not possible. Hard to know what to do.
Sorry editing to say
that yes i do agree in general that coming back with a different price after we have agreed one is not on however in this case I'd like to make the following points.
The structural issues were raised after we agreed the price, we were told that they would be resolved asap, after over 3 months nothing has really happened. We have had to contact the EA every two weeks - he has never got on to us about it.
When the work is complete then we will have to reapply for our mortgage, we have had to rent and will be renting until march or so next year at least.
I think that the agent was not straight with us from the start - i think he knew that there were issues and that the house couldn't be sold as it was so he has benefitted from having us agree a price and then getting the work done after that, as by all accounts prices are still dropping.
I spoke to him and he is very flippant about the whole thing.
SO that is why I'm wondering about renegotaiting the price - had it all went relatively smoothly we would have lived with family for the few weeks and would be in the house by now at the agreed price!!!
thanks