Can I be cheeky and invoice them back??...

gemstars

If the survey has come back at your offer then they'll not get anyone going any higher, unless they get a cash buyer who is prepared to pay much more than the house is worth which is highly unlikely. I suspect they'll get back in touch with you saying they've changed their minds, if they do - drop your offer.

00ec25

with an offer in hand the vendor has probably now gone house hunting themselves, found a place they like but its 17K more than they have so they have tried to get it from their buyer.

as has been said the buyer has no rights to seek their survey fees cost from the vendor, that is just one of the risks you run as a buyer and as has been said the vendor can incur costs they can't recover when buyers drop out too, eg. abortive legal fees

dottiepeas

Thanks for the advice everyone! Just find it alittle hard to take, when we thought it was done and dusted and looking forward to getting a move date sorted!

Even if the sellers do come back to us, I would be very reluctant to buy from them, as they have shown themselves to be dishonest! What if they did the same thing afew more weeks down the line!!! Never again with Mr and Mrs XXXX!

Hope we will be able to find a nicer place! (before our mortgage offer expires aswell!!!)

ALIBOBSY

I would write to the pointing out the costs you have incurred and you are disappointed but you will not be increasing your price. Tell the an offer is on the table (use the offer less any costs you have incurred or even less if you want) and you will be looking for other properties.

Then leave it, if they really want the sale they will come back to you. If not look on it as fate, you may just find the house of your dreams next time.

ali x

becky_rtw

Well the reduced the price by £14k from when it went on in November 2008 - cant see why they suddenly want more when they've reduced the price tbh...

Poor you!

dottiepeas

I know!! I noticed when I was looking that this house had been reduced before- maybe even twice??..so I thought they were keen to sell!

The agent did say the sellers had not found anywhere else to move to (though they said they wouldn't mind renting first if needed!)......So maybe you're right, they noticed they couldn't get much for their budget, and now needs the extra to fund a new place? All sounds reasonable- BUT! it's a totally wrong way of doing things! They should have done their research into the costs of the places they want, before accepting our offer!...

SallyCinnamon

Just want to say I really feel for you, it's shameful behaviour from the vendors. The EA must have been embarrassed to tell you too.

Jomo

Maybe they did it so you would pull out, change of circumstances on their part. Nevertheless, an underhand way of doing it...

JonathanA

If they change their minds and come back to you, personally I wouldn't entertain it - they've done the dirty once, they could do it again. But, if it is the house of your dreams, then you could consider putting in a lower than your original offer...

Hope your search for a new place goes well, let's wish that the next place you see has vendors who are true to their word.

reef

Out of interest, what was the offer that you had accepted?

If they're after £17k more, then it sounds like they're after close to what it originally went up for in October.