is this unusual?

housebuyer2

Hi All

I am in the process of selling my house. I dont yet have an exchange and completion date, though I have signed and returned the contract - aiming to exchange this week and complete next week.

The buyer has now requested to be let in to measure up, and it seems, wont confirm any exchange date until they have measured up.

Obviously I dont have any problem with them measuring up (as its been nearly 3 months since they last saw it), but just wanted to understand if this was a normal request at this stage? as it feels a little bit like they are ransoming me by saying they wont agree any dates until they have measured up?

I guess they have all the power, and like I say I dont have any problem with letting them in, its just dont see why they cant exchange now?

Would you recommend being in attendance? The agent performed all the viewings (I wasnt there), but I guess now it has got to this stage I am keen to be there.

Thanks

arbrighton

It is common for buyer to be advised to visit property for one last check before exchange where they are legally committed to proceed regardless of condition of property, especially if they haven't seen it in some months. Would you really think it wise to commit to spending several hundred thousand pounds, and tie yourself into a long financial commitment such as a mortgage, without checking what you were buying one last time?
Surely it is not worth being stubborn about this and risking them moving away? Exchange will not occur unless they instruct their conveyancer that they are happy to do so, and by the sounds of it, you will quickly reach an impasse. Don't shoot yourself in the foot.....

Better_Days

Yes, I would agree to this, it is a reasonable request. How are the buyers to know there hasn't been any material changes to the property over the past few months?

Just to add, as a buyer I would be very worried if a request such as this was refused and would wonder if there was something that the vendor was hiding. Not sure I would pull out, but it would certainly consider it.

May be an idea for you to be there too, you can answer any queries that they have about the property.

Hope it all goes smoothly.

michelle2008

I agree it is perfectly normal for them to want to see the house again. It is strange that the request has come with a thinly disguised threat about not signing. It is as if they expect you to be unreasonable.

However they may be inexperienced or have had a bad experience! The builder I bought from refused to let me in the house after the first viewing! He was an odd man.

BitterAndTwisted

It's a perfectly reasonable request although phrased badly. As has been explained, aside from measuring up they need to satisfy themselves that there have been no material changes to the property since they last viewed.

martinsurrey

Its also worth looking at the time from exchange to completion, its 10days.

If they dont get in now to have a good measure, before they agree to the completion date, they wont have a chance to get anything sorted before they move in.

who is pushing for the short time between exchange and legal completion?

housebuyer2

Thanks guys - reassuring to hear its a very normal request (its not something I had considered before but it does make sense).

I certainly wont refuse them and am even being very flexible to make sure they can view it when it suits them.