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Vendors Stalling?

Sorry if this I seem like I'm over reacting but I'm a FTB and think the vendor of the property we're buying is deliberately stalling the purchase (though not sure why!).

We were told when viewing the property the vendors had no chain and wanted to move quickly and we offered slightly higher than we otherwise would have based on this. 5 weeks later after being repeatedly told "it will be with you soon/next week/tomorrow" our solicitor recieved the info they need from the other party, the day after our survey had been done (ie once they knew we had already spent money on the property) saying the vendor would not be able to complete until the end of August (more than 3 months after offer accepted). Not my idea of a quick move and we're going to incur extra rental and removal costs as a result.

Our survey threw up a couple of minor things we'd like checked out which I reckon would cost £150 max, we asked the EA to ask the vendors to pay for these as a gesture of goodwill given they messed us around. We were fully prepared for them to decline in which case we would have done this ourselves. However 2 weeks after this really simple and straight forward request the EA hasn't been able to get an answer from the vendors and our phone calls aren't being returned.

Our current rental property is on the market so time really isn't on our side. Should we walk away from this?

Any advice or guidance on this most welcome, I've really no idea whether we're being taken for a ride or if this is all part and parcel of buying a property.

Thanks
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Comments

  • 3 months definately isn't that long in house buying terms. That said if you were led to believe that they wanted it all to happen in 6 weeks and this has caused a problem, you can always go back to them and say we need to complete by date x or we are going to walk away. It just depends how much you want the property really. FTB are like gold dust at the moment and any seller serious about selling would accomodate you at the moment. The risk of course is that they are really not that bothered and let you walk away.
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    Drop your offer a few thousand, as your current offer was made on the basis of a vendor-requested quick move that has failed to materialise due to delays introduced by the vendor.
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
  • Eric1
    Eric1 Posts: 490 Forumite
    colli wrote: »
    We were told when viewing the property the vendors had no chain and wanted to move quickly and we offered slightly higher than we otherwise would have based on this.
    You shouldn't have.
    IMHO, no need to walk away formally yet. But start viewing other properties with the same EA, as well as others. You may find a much better reason to walk away.
  • Cannon_Fodder
    Cannon_Fodder Posts: 3,980 Forumite
    colli wrote: »
    ..2 weeks after this really simple and straight forward request the EA hasn't been able to get an answer from the vendors and our phone calls aren't being returned.

    Maybe they are on holiday ?
  • colli
    colli Posts: 669 Forumite
    Maybe they are on holiday ?

    Possibly but I don't think so. We were asked by the estate agency if we were planning to go away before likely completion and I assume they were asked the same. Fair enough if they have gone away (we all need a break!) but I would have thought the EA would have know and told us this.

    BTW it's the EA not returning our calls not the vendor!
  • Cannon_Fodder
    Cannon_Fodder Posts: 3,980 Forumite
    colli wrote: »
    Possibly but I don't think so. We were asked by the estate agency if we were planning to go away before likely completion and I assume they were asked the same. Fair enough if they have gone away (we all need a break!) but I would have thought the EA would have know and told us this.

    BTW it's the EA not returning our calls not the vendor!


    Fair enough, if they were asked. Or maybe they were asked when the offer was initially accepted, but now that 5 weeks have passed maybe they thought "we have to fit one in before the schools break-up"...

    I don't think you should scupper a deal because the EA is not returning calls. That's not only unfair on the vendor, but no house deal would ever reach completion if people expected 100% communication from EAs..!
  • mark5
    mark5 Posts: 1,364 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I think part of the problem with house sales is that 1 persons idea of a quick completion is another persons idea of dragging feet.

    When my wife bought her first house in 2002/2003 (no chain) it took close on 7 months, I would say anything upto 12 weeks is normal especially during the summer when ppl go on holiday.

    When I say ppl go on holiday, I mean solicitors, bank staff etc.
  • colli
    colli Posts: 669 Forumite
    Fair enough, if they were asked. Or maybe they were asked when the offer was initially accepted, but now that 5 weeks have passed maybe they thought "we have to fit one in before the schools break-up"...

    I don't think you should scupper a deal because the EA is not returning calls. That's not only unfair on the vendor, but no house deal would ever reach completion if people expected 100% communication from EAs..!

    Nope, one of them is a teacher so unless she's playing hookey she'll be working!

    I really don't expect 100% communication. I work in an environment where I know it's just not realistic to give every client the attention they would like but after no contact for a week, not even a "bear with us we're trying" and no response to an email I've sent outlining how much this is concerning us I'm thinking they know something we don't.
  • mummyfrugal
    mummyfrugal Posts: 314 Forumite
    Hi Colli. I would suggest popping round for a chat with the vendor. We are selling to FTB's and have exchanged phone numbers in case of any problems.

    Sometimes solicitors say stuff to each other and it gets taken the wrong way or is not what the vendor or buyer intentioned. In the past delays have happened to us from solictors being on holiday! And, without mentioning names, there are some national solicitors who act for certain estate agents who are really... really... pants.

    You could pop a note through the door with your telephone number on and arrange to pop round face to face for a chat and explain you envisaged moving in quicker. - At least this way you will know quickly and a more friendlier way what is going on and then take it from there.

    If they are being difficult or will not talk (then you know they arent decent folk) you could contact their estate agent and explain the situation and hint that you might be withdrawing your offer (believe me they want the commission so they will be on the phone badgering them - taking the pressure off you).

    Good luck x
    Logic will get you from A to B but imagination can take you anywhere!
    Being honest may not get get you a lot of friends - but it will get you the right ones.
    Let your past make you better, not bitter.
  • colli
    colli Posts: 669 Forumite
    thanks mummyfrugal. That's an excellent idea.

    I've just spoken to my (local) solicitor and she says the estate agents are very short staffed at the moment. Interestingly, my friend is selling through the same agent and is experiencing an "elusive buyer" in the same way we've got an "elusive vendor". I'm starting to think that maybe there is a stack of messages to call back piling up on the EA's desk.......
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