We are very interested in a property in France which has been valued. The pool needs a new liner and is 5M by 10M. Does a valuation usually reflect the state of a pool? Would it be reasonable to ask for a contribution toward the cost of a new liner?
Maybe not. Certainly not if it’s Jane you are buying from. 
A pool would probably be considered an optional feature, and thus outside of any negotiation around a drop in price, let alone asking the seller to contribute to its repair. A valuation usually reflects the entire property, warts and all. You could always offer less and say why you think it is worth less.
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This what I was thinking.
What are the chances of the structure underneath the pool being affected adversely if water has been allowed to penetrate the lining over a long period? I’m told the level doesn’t drop apart from that expected from evaporation.
An existing pool that needed work would most certainly be in the scope of negotiation if I was the buyer. It’s not really an optional feature if you have a lumping big hole in the ground that’s supposed to hold water but doesn’t do so successfully. If anything, it’s highly detrimental to the price in my view.
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If a property is advertised as having a functioning pool the seller should expect any defects to be an issue when negotiating the selling price.
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You don’t know until you ask.
A: You make an offer for what you would be willing to pay for the place/what you think it’s worth taking into account the cost of a new pool liner. Which you can cite if queried.
B: or, you make a full asking price offer conditional on the liner being replaced.
And then see what happens.
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I have seen people offer less because they want to change a perfectly acceptable kitchen and install air conditioning etc.
Just bid what you want to pay. Don’t negotiate on specific details. You would end up bartering over the colour of the paint in bedroom 3
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Why? It’s your own judgemet. They can take it or leave it. Explaining why youre not offering the asking is neither h nor t.
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Yup. Their prerogative. Not sensible in my view. Keep those cards close to chest. Bid what you’re prepared to pay, knowing what you know.
If the sales details have bigged up the pool but it’s duff …
Building rapport can smooth negotiations. Behaving like a brick wall won’t.
I agree. When we last bought, we were firm but fair in our negotiations, and we did them directly with the seller rather than through any agent. We compromised on one aspect as did the seller on others. It was an amicable outcome and we got what we wanted in the end.
I don’t recommend ‘brick wall’. I think it’s good business practice to be most attentive to what the other side has to say but be ‘economical’ with one’s own thoughts. An amiable discussion does not have to include all one’s thoughts on the matter.
Negotiating for a property is not a tea party. One is not trying to be pals with the sellers. One may become so. A bonus.
I had years of experience, as a interested [+%] spectator, of berth holders at my boatyard selling their boats. Some of these were pricier than a FR cottage. The end result was,. to me, confirmation of one of M.Thatcher’s ‘bon mot’. "You cannot buck the market’.
The sellers of my house found that and I have no doubt it will hold good for me.
Thanks for suggestions
Our target area and type of property limits our options. No more old houses with character for us. We want a new(ish) rather boring but easy to heat and maintain bungalow. Not in abundance.
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Thats why I had one built two years ago, not a slave any more to keeping a big old character house in a good state, heating it and not having to lug and store wood either. Lifes too short now for all that work and no upstairs to navigate any more either. Perhaps you could find a plot and build???
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My dream…. When I win the lottery I want something like this.
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I’m unable to pursuade my wife to take on a build. We did speak to a salesman working for Ami-Bois and went to look around a showhouse. They are prefabricated wooden houses - excellent insulation and decent build quality. We also looked at potential plots. Wasn’t to be sadly.