Buyer has just died. What to do next?

nell53

A bit of background
Put house on market in April. Got buyer within a week and all proceeding well unto day of exchange [mid June] when buyer's buyer pulled out on the day. After much gnashing of teeth, got another buyer 3 weeks later, [early July]and all has been proceeding s-l-o-w-l-y but surely and exchange imminent....when my [downsizing elderly] buyer dies 10 days ago. More gnashing of teeth. Agreed to go back on market again...third time lucky, perhaps?

So question is ...do I keep the agents board up outside my house advertising the fact it is now, once again, for sale? People seeing it must wonder what on earth is wrong with the place, as it keeps falling through. We're on a road with a fair amount of passing traffic.How much difference does a board makes these days?

Thanks

DVardysShadow

Think it through as though you had never gone on the market and never sold. What do you want to do? If you want to move, then put it back on the market and have another go.

With passing traffic, a board is still a valid marketing tool. If you are not in a hurry, keep the board down till after christmas.

PasturesNew

I'd think there was something wrong with it. Difficult to know what to do, in an ideal world you'd get the estate agent to put in the details "Available again as the bloke who was buying it died", but that'd put people off too

bris

Sales are falling through on a regular basis in this climate, so I would just put it back up straight away. Two buyers in 4 weeks is a good result so looks like you have a sought after property.
If anyone asks just tell the truth, you have nothing to hide.

GavB79

More gnashing of teeth? How inconsiderate of the gentleman to die on you.

brit1234

If you take your solicitor to a seance I'm sure you can complete, or drop the price and look for a more lively buyer

betsie

That is such bad luck but imagine the complications if he had died between exchange and completion - would have been a legal nightmare.

I would just go straight back on - just be honest if viewers ask, it wasn't your fault he died.

Your not selling a bungalow in the north kent area by any chance? trying to get one for my parents.

Philippa36

We've been under offer 3 times - for us (fingers crossed!) it will be third time lucky. We're hoping to exchange this week.

It's very unfortunate that your buyer has died but I'm sure another buyer will come along soon.

kprigg

betsie wrote: »

That is such bad luck but imagine the complications if he had died between exchange and completion - would have been a legal nightmare.

I would just go straight back on - just be honest if viewers ask, it wasn't your fault he died.

Your not selling a bungalow in the north kent area by any chance? trying to get one for my parents.

These are in mid Kent:
http://www.wheresmyproperty.com/towns/townsearch.asp?t=3%20bed%20bungalows%20for%20sale%20in%20Maidstone,%20Kent

nell53

Not sure brit1234 how you managed to get the photo of my solicitor and her conveyancing team at the annual Christmas party...spooky or wot?
Thanks everyone for your replies. I do want to move so I guess I'll just have to put up with the sign staring at me everytime I look out of the window. And no sadly betsie not in north Kent- but ideal if you want your parents living in Somerset - on the other side of the country?

maninthestreet

Not relevant here, but what happens if a buyer dies between exchange and completion??