Is it dodgy?

mchu6am4

Chill out 'Worried'

Doozergirl

Congratulations

I'm glad you tried lower, at least you know they definately wouldn't accept it, lol!

Exclusivity is good for two weeks to give you time to sort. If vendor is twitchy sort then keep phoning EA with updates when you've put application in, had it accepted etc, it shows willing and that you're proactive

I think the other offer was probably unproceedable (ie the hadn't actually sold) and that the vendor just wanted that matched by someone who could actually move, otherwise they would hold out for the others, iyswim.

shelly

I'm glad your offer has been accepted. I'd definately ask that it is taken off the market for good or at least a couple of weeks. IMO if they won't take it off the market they either don't want to sell or are looking for a better offer. Either way I'd be very wary about actually paying out for survey.

When we accepted the offer of full asking price our house was taken off market immediately, even though we did get offered 2K over the asking price a couple of days later from a previous viewer, we declined it.

When we had our offer accepted on the house we are buying it was on the condition that it was taken off the market and no other viewings booked. Hubby called the EA a few days later enquiring about the house just to make sure

franklee

You are clearly worried that something isn't right. As for the other "buyer" was their "offer" ever accepted. It sounds like it was as the problem was a delay in booking the valuation. This means either the other buyer was fake or the vendor/EA accepted their offer and then pulled the plug on them after a week. Well a week isn't long to book a valuation depending on the lender and how busy they are. So it smacks of underhand dealing either way. I don't see why you would be treated any better. I wouldn't be happy either, there is the risk that you get dumped too, unless the other buyer was fake in which case you've been played.

Worried

The agent won't suspend marketing. They say this is their policy. They say this will happen when survey is booked, but that there should be no probs if we get mortgage applied for asap. When I spoke to the IFA he said if we drop application he gave us and supporting documents in on mon. He will process first thing mon pm. He said valuation will be booked in within 48 hrs. It will be no problem. As he works closely with the EA he will keep them informed of progress and because of thier close relationship, they will wait for us. It's not satisfactory, but I've had this 'off the market when survey is booked' arrangement before when I was buying a flat last year (fell through) and no matter how much I asserted myself, they wouldn't budge. I'm not that assertive though, but I really did try. I guess we just have to proceed and risk the £330 valuation fee.

mchu6am4

Its seems like the more you talk to them, the more its becoming obvious that there are no other buyers - hence telling you not to worry etc.

I've seen the above done - I don't know why EA is insistent - Its generally up to vendor who decides.

Tiger_greeneyes

Worried wrote: »

The agent won't suspend marketing. They say this is their policy.

:mad: It's not down to the agents to decide when to stop marketing!!! How dare they fob you off like that? It's actually for the vendors to decide, it's their house and they're paying the agent to sell it for them, not make their decisions for them.

You're quite within your rights to go back to the agent and be more insistent - get them to call the vendor while you're there, and ask them if they are willing to suspend marketing for a few days. If they refuse then I'd be tempted to put it in writing that although you've requested the marketing be suspended for a few days so you can get your survey booked, you're aware they [the agent] has refused to contact the vendor for their instructions and will keep actively marketing the property. I'd send a copy of the letter to the vendors, too.

What you can do is when you find out when the survey is booked for, you can call the agents the afternoon before and ask them if any further offers have been put forwards. If the vendor has accepted another offer you can cancel the survey and get your money back.

Worried

I've tried the EA again to ask to suspend marketing, again they say this is the way it works, all offers are subject to survey now and they don't take off market until then. I said isn't it vendors decision and they said yes, so they are going to ask for me but said it's doubtful that they will suspend marketing because of the other offer on the table.

Doozergirl

Because of the other offer on the table?

I don't like the sound of this. You have either had an offer accepted or you have not. If they are continuing to market they are not showing any signs of commitment to you, nor does it appear have they shown signs to the other people who, for all you know, are simply waiting for a survey date themselves.

There are some people here who would advise people to continue marketing even after they have accepted an offer, but I really believe that it gets people off on the wrong foot because a vendor that continues marketing is actively seeking other offers and I believe it shows them to be untrustworthy. I've sold quite a lot of houses now(!) and I like to make sure the EA checks a buyer's status as best they can and then give 10 days to organise survey, but in reality, enough communication to prove that things are moving along is enough for me.

An offer being 'subject to survey' normally means that the offer that the purchaser makes is subject to the survey not pulling up major faults in the house. The EA is warping this often used phrase somewhat to make it sound normal to you; I don't think it is at all!

BettiePage

The ea and/or vendor is trying it on. You need to toughen up. If they want your money, they have to play by your rules or you walk away. Play them at their own game.