Slow vendor, or us being impatient

marlasinger

We had an offer accepted on a house on 18th May. We got the survey and mortgage sorted shortly afterward, and notification from our solicitor to advise us that they had received a copy of the draft contract.

About 4 to 5 weeks ago (I didn't keep exact notice of the dates), I spoke with our solicitor who said all the searches were done, and that all they were waiting for was the vendor to answer the solicitor's queries.

Since then, nothing! I have chased our solicitor, who has chased the vendor. I have spoken to the estate agent who has also done some chasing, only to be told that 'these things take time'. Surely a month is long enough to answer some queries?? :mad:

So my questions are: Is this normal waiting time? I have thought maybe that the vendor is drawing things out a bit, so that she can get her purchase fully in place, but surely she can answer the queries, we exchange and set a completion date the suits us both!

Where do I go from here? Do I have to sit tight, or would it backfire to threaten to pull out if the queries aren't answered in a week or so?

Any help appreciated.

Bananamana

what are the queries- if the property has communal areas that are part managed your solicitor may be waiting for replies from a managing agent.

4 weeks is a tad on the long side - find out what the issues are. "these things take time" is a smoke screen - ask the agent to actually chase rather than fob you off

Made_Without

I've had this on previous buying attempts - which always baffled me a bit as I understand people may not know dates, amounts etc. at the tip of their tongue; but surely they file away all property related stuff that should be at hand when they put it on the market!

As all three times I had the misfortune for the sales to fall through; I think the dragging of feet was a sign of them suddenly blowing hot / cold on moving, or waiting to see if a higher offer could be achieved etc.

I dont mean to suggest this is the case for you - they simply may be a bit on the slow side - but keep the pressure on your solicitor and the estate agent for them to nudge-on the vendor


Good luck!

C*F

olly300

Don't you have the vendors details? Often if you talk to them they can tell you what the matter is.

marlasinger

We don't have the vendor's details. Well, we know where she lives (obviously), but don't really feel it would be appropriate to go knocking on her door demanding answers.

We don't know what the queries are; I thought there would be a standard set of queries, but I'm guessing not? The property is freehold, with no communal areas, so it can't be anything relating to that.

On Monday, I will chase the solicitor and estate agent again, asking more specific questions. I shall ask what the queries are, and what the vendor has actually said, when they have chased her. I think I have to be more pushy than I have been. :think: