Vendors stil haven't instructed a solicitor

scoobiesnacks

I put in an offer on a house 3 weeks ago, which was accepted I've had the survey done and everything seems fine. I've just heard from the EA that the vendors haven't instructed a solicitor yet. The problem is that I have to have the deal done by 1st September. Assuming they are serious and instruct a lawyer pronto, can the deal be done in 5 weeks?

cattie

Are the vendors living in the property & buying another house? If not then the deal could be done in 5weeks but you will have to keep pushing your solicitor to stay on top of things.

Has the EA given you any reason for the vendors not yet instructing a solicitor? Only one would assume he should be urging them to get a move on as they have a proceedable buyer in you, who is looking for a quick transaction.

huglebear

My vendors didn't instruct until all my searches were complete (despite me asking EA to chase them on this, repeatedly). The reason was that although they'd moved out of the house I'm buying, they hadn't told their solicitor this, so all mail and phone calls were directed to that property. Duh. Rhe process from them instructing their solicitor to us being in a position to exchange has taken 3 weeks and would have taken 10 days if they were organised and responded to their solicitor promptly. It would be worth asking your solicitor if they have any outstanding queries to take up with the vendor, because that is what can hold it up (other than vendor seeking to find a new place of course). Drafting contracts seemed to take no time at all. The vendor may be being cautious but if you think they just aren't on the ball take the initiative and keep on at the EA and your sol. It doesn't do a lot of good but makes you feel better:rolleyes:

scoobiesnacks

The story goes that they are moving area and are hoping to buy, but are prepared to rent in order to make the deal go through, so in theory there is no chain.
The EA is typically vague whenever I chase him up. I may be being overly anxious but I just get the impression they're not serious about selling. Either that or they're living in cloud cuckoo land and they don't know how long these things take.

huglebear

TBH, the only thing that worked for me was explaining I had to move by end of July and couldn't afford the deposit on the new place if that didn't work out. The EA will give that info to the vendor in a less-watered-down fashion than the solicitor would. In retrospect, I should have pushed for exchange 2 weeks before I wanted to complete (we're now set for same week exchange and completion :eek: ) because then you can pin them down to a completion date. If I were you I'd push for exchange around 10th August with a completion date in late Aug. That's the info to give to the EA now, don't allow them to sidetrack you into speculation about why they haven't yet instructed a solicitor, just give them your date for exchange.

scoobiesnacks

huglebear wrote:

TBH, the only thing that worked for me was explaining I had to move by end of July and couldn't afford the deposit on the new place if that didn't work out. The EA will give that info to the vendor in a less-watered-down fashion than the solicitor would. In retrospect, I should have pushed for exchange 2 weeks before I wanted to complete (we're now set for same week exchange and completion :eek: ) because then you can pin them down to a completion date. If I were you I'd push for exchange around 10th August with a completion date in late Aug. That's the info to give to the EA now, don't allow them to sidetrack you into speculation about why they haven't yet instructed a solicitor, just give them your date for exchange.

Good advice, I'll do that.
Ta!

Jorgan_2

Persoanlly I would question how serious they are about moving. If you, as a buyer, had taken 3 weeks to instruct a solicitor the EA would be putting pressure on you & the seller would probably be doubting you as a buyer.

Are the sellers aware of your timescale to complete? Was it made as a condition of the offer?

AndrewSmith

I agree with Jorgan,

If the role was reversed they would be all over you like a rash.

I think it may be time for you to begin playing hardball.

Andy

lilyann1

When we put the offer in to the house we're buying we were told by the EA's to get a solicitor first and they wanted to know the details.I would be putting lots of pressure on them through the EA's and your solicitors