Help close to exchange but want to view another house!

ognum

tyllwyd wrote: »

The two houses are in the same terrace - it seems perfectly possible that the two vendors would know each other. If I was the second vendor, and I knew the other couple thought that you were going to buy their house and you were potentially going to let them down at the very last moment, I think I would probably refuse to let you come and view. If nothing else, if you did offer on the other house I would be worried that you were unreliable buyers and might do the same another time.

And if I was selling house number 1 and discovered my EA had arranged a viewing on house number 2 without telling me, no matter what the legal rights or wrongs of it, I'd be hopping mad.

Thanks for your reply I agree it is very difficult, but if it was you would you want to check out you were making the right decision? These are £400,000 + houses so a lot of money!

Horizon81

Exactly! This is a close to half a million pound business deal. I can see why people might get a bit upset but there's really no need for emotional or personal issues to come into the equation.

firsttimetom

You should be the one in the driving seat. Buyers are scarse at the moment, cash buyers at that level are like Hens teeth. You could not be in a better position and the EA knows this.

If it were me, I would inform the EA that you will not be exchanging until you have at least seen the other house. No viewing on house 2, means no sale on house 1. If they refuse then the EA loses their commission and neither neighbour gets a sale, so they won't refuse - as long as you TELL them you are viewing the new house.

tyllwyd

Horizon81 wrote: »

Exactly! This is a close to half a million pound business deal. I can see why people might get a bit upset but there's really no need for emotional or personal issues to come into the equation.

This isn't a business deal - it is a personal sale from one private individual to another. That's not to say that you can't disregard emotional or personal issues if that's how you want to handle it, but it isn't fair to say that they don't play a part in it. The OP has promised to buy the first house, and the vendors have invested time, money and emotional energy in this move on the back of that promise. If he isn't sure and wants to back out at the last moment, that's entirely his right, but don't pretend that it won't have an impact on the vendor.

sooz

We had similar situation when selling.Ours was house 2.

We rejected their offer, on the basis that in considering pulling out so close to exchange, we did not trust them not to do the same to us.

ILW

tyllwyd wrote: »

This isn't a business deal - it is a personal sale from one private individual to another. That's not to say that you can't disregard emotional or personal issues if that's how you want to handle it, but it isn't fair to say that they don't play a part in it. The OP has promised to buy the first house, and the vendors have invested time, money and emotional energy in this move on the back of that promise. If he isn't sure and wants to back out at the last moment, that's entirely his right, but don't pretend that it won't have an impact on the vendor.

OP could spend the next 20 years looking at the other (possibly better) house and regretting buying what could be an inferior home just to save putting someones nose out of joint.

harrup

ognum wrote: »

Apparently he claims he explained the situation to them and they said they did not want us to view!!
The pressure is on to exchange today, my husband is keen to think things over.

What beastly timing - for everybody.

Still, the other house IS for sale, your sale has NOT be finalized and that is the risk any vendor takes - that another house comes on the market which the buyer prefers.

If those vendors were such great mates - why would the second vendor not wait another week prior to marketing his house? Knock on their door or put a polite message through the letterbox explaining the situation and stating that you would greatly appreciate viewing their house. If they say "no" - well - that's up to that vendor. Just be prepared that your OTHER ( existing) vendor may well take the hump and insist on re-marketing their house. I would.

I'd advise against viewing the other house as an "accompanying friend". It lacks integrity and courage. Just tell the EA that you will not commit yourself to the purchase until you've ruled out the house 2 doors down. It's your money and YOUR home.

tyllwyd

ILW wrote: »

OP could spend the next 20 years looking at the other (possibly better) house and regretting buying what could be an inferior home just to save putting someones nose out of joint.

I'd say it was more than just putting someone's nose out of joint - is the OP willing to reimburse money spent on solicitors etc by the other party if he pulls out?

Its the OP's decision, but it would be a messy situation and I can understand why the vendors of house number 2 mightn't want to get involved.

Seanymph

what did you decide?

geoffky

Its your bloody money do what you will with it.