How to get seller to move on? Any ideas?

stevie_wonder

Hi all,
We are in a frustrating situation - which is just brought on the onset of grey hairs and I need some new ideas.
We are currently renting and put an offer on a large old house, currently owned by a old widow. Offer accepted, we had survey, agreed price, mortgage all sorted, deposit in place ready to move.
The old dear was moving into a sheltered housing complex that she knew of however the first place there fell through due to a problem around her being offered something different from the place she'd viewed originally. We thought she has sourced a bungalow there as a replacement but it now transpires that the bungalow has planning permission against it, where it once approved will replace the bungalow with 6 flats, meaning she won't be in the place she bought (leasehold you understand). Also naively she hadnt considered the service charges either (she hasnt bought a house for 30 years and it was probably her dead husband who did it then!).

We're now back to square one, or maybe square 2. We have everything in place to buy her house, the only problem is getting her out or her finding something else.

I've thought that renting might be a better/cheaper option for her (depending on how long she lives..) but that depends on available properties and her inclination.

Do you have any suggestions for ways around this situation or how to move it on? The way I see it, she's been a bit slow/naive about it and that has slowed things up; and the EA hasn't been very proactive in monitoring her (or maybe lazy as there is no chain just us and her)

princessamy86

This is a tough one! The EA is probably being a bit cautious around her as she probably doesn't really want to move, it's more likely that she can no longer manage the big house and needs something smaller. Has she any children the EA can get in touch with? A lot of elderly vendors nominate a capable son or daughter to handle things, so they might be a good bet for the EA to speak to. You could set her a time limit, but I think this might have the effect of making her think "Well, I don't really want to move anywhere anyway so fine, someone else will be along to buy at some point", she might feel overly pressured and just pull out. How many weeks into the sale are you?

mlz1413

The old lady is looking at places to move to but I guess her market is limited and she is not going to think of all the questions to ask as she hasn't be exposed to the housing market for 30 years and never sheltered housing - actually I'm not sure I would know the questions to ask either!

Are there any family members that can help she make decisions?
I can see your frustration but you are the one with the most to lose, having paid for the survey and solicitors on a house you actually do want. I think a time limit maybe the best way forward but do be careful about backing yourself into a corner.

stevie_wonder

princessamy86 wrote: »

This is a tough one! The EA is probably being a bit cautious around her as she probably doesn't really want to move, it's more likely that she can no longer manage the big house and needs something smaller. Has she any children the EA can get in touch with? A lot of elderly vendors nominate a capable son or daughter to handle things, so they might be a good bet for the EA to speak to. QUOTE]

The house is too big for her - 5 bedrooms, 3 storey. She can't manage the stairs and can't afford to install a stair lift.
Re: the children. She has none that are nearby or that have taken an interest in helping so that is out of the window.
She has told the EA that she will consider other places than this sheltered accomodation, including houses,flats and then install stair lift if needed. Sounds like she will be flexible but it is back to her starting all over again!
We made our initial offer back in October survey done in November. Really expected to be moved by now, especially considering no chain:mad:

princessamy86

Bear in mind the EA will want their fee from this sale, and sooner rather than later. What do they suggest? They know her and how pro-active she is being with regards to looking for properties, has she viewed any in the last few weeks?

stevie_wonder

mlz1413 wrote: »

The old lady is looking at places to move to but I guess her market is limited and she is not going to think of all the questions to ask as she hasn't be exposed to the housing market for 30 years and never sheltered housing - actually I'm not sure I would know the questions to ask either!
.

I do have some sympathy for her as no one seems to have taken the time to explain things to her, and thats not really her fault, because who really knows all the questions to ask? (except all you MSE'ers!) Especially an old dear with no access to internet!
I don't think the time limit thing will really work either as we may feel different if it was close a day after the deadline, and I think we should keep our options open on it. As you say we would be backed into a corner.

All that's left as I see it, is to wait for her to move out or find somewhere else? Is this right?:eek:

stevie_wonder

princessamy86 wrote: »

Bear in mind the EA will want their fee from this sale, and sooner rather than later. What do they suggest? They know her and how pro-active she is being with regards to looking for properties, has she viewed any in the last few weeks?

She had her heart set on this particular sheltered accomodation site, I think due to friends/recommendations. So she's not been viewing anything else. The EA is going to trawl through the interweb for her to identify suitable places. I'll chat with the OH tonight and see what she says. (we are in a small 3 bed at the moment - me, OH, 4 girls and 2 cats )

princessamy86

There's not much else can be done unfortunately! If you want this house then it looks like you might have to wait, otherwise you'll lose all your survey fees etc. It's not a good situation but there doesn't seem to be many other options unless you want to walk away.

stevie_wonder

Well, the vendor got another house in the end -without us pressurising!
We exchanged on 8th, and are completing on 23rd!!! Woo Hoo!

princessamy86

That's brilliant stevie!

LittleMissKitty

Fantastic news! Bet you can't wait. Hope everything's worked out well for the old lady too.

Kitty x