Can we get a non-refundable buyers' deposit?/We want to get 'eco grant' for two properties

Can we get a non-refundable buyers' deposit?

Q We have been through a harrowing year trying to sell our house. Two different "Sale agreeds" fell through twice - the last time was particularly unpleasant as the buyer came back with a much lower price after we had agreed a price. We have taken the house off the market and will be putting it back on in September, with a different agent, a lower asking price and after a bit of sprucing up. Our question is: can we get a buyer to give us a non-refundable deposit? The present system whereby a buyer can walk away even after the sale is agreed is madness and a non-refundable deposit - like in an auction - would stop that.

AYou could try — but it would be unusual and you'd have to accept that the buyer would be asking themselves "what's in it for me"? The answer is nothing - unless you are giving an incentive, such as a major reduction (although you may feel you have reduced the price enough!) On the other hand, a buyer who absolutely wants the house may have no problem signing such a pre-purchase contract, especially if there is a short closing, i.e. a short period of time between the handing over of the non-refundable deposit and the actual closing.

Gazundering and sales falling through are features of all uncertain property markets and to some extent you'll just have to accept it (gazundering here isn't illegal).

However there are some steps you can take to try to make things go smoother. Don't go sale agreed to a buyer who has to sell his or her own place before they can close on yours. Ask your agent to suss out the financial situation of any buyer (as much as they can) by finding out if they have mortgage approval etc; and make sure there are no impediments on your side to a sale, i.e. have all your legals in place and remedy any defects in the house that might be a deal breaker.

We want to get 'eco grant' for two properties

Q This year I plan on upgrading our heating system - most likely with a wood pellet boiler and I will be applying for the Government eco grant. I also have a holiday cottage that could do with similar upgrading. Can I apply for both?

ABy eco grant we assume you mean the Greener Homes Scheme administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland. According to their information you can apply for a grant on more than one property, so long as you are the owner of each house and you make a separate application for each grant. Make sure you do your research about the technology, the approved installers and suppliers and the grant aid procedure which is quite exacting. www.sei.ie Your questions

Send your queries to Property questions, The Irish Times, The Irish Times Building, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or email propertyquestions@irish-times.ie.

Unfortunately it is not possible to respond to all questions. The above is a representative sample of queries received.

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