Infuriating, illogical reason for not wanting to exchange contracts

G_M

outdoorcjc wrote: »

...
If you pull pout (even if caused by someone elses actions) you may find you have to cover more then £250.

Indeed. Pouting rarely solves anything.

G_M

SnooksNJ wrote: »

About 3 years ago someone else had a similar problem. Do you happen to own a camper and does the vendor have a big driveway?

This could well be the solution to your dilemma:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2943078

artbaron

You can tell the OP is a FTB. If the only inconvenience I'd had was someone going on holiday I'd have been on my knees praising God, and I don't even believe in Him. Amongst the numerous chain breaks and countless delays on my last sale (three delays due to holidays, including the solicitor's) there was some humour, though. When the people at the bottom of the chain (at the bottom of the foodchain too, they were chav ars3holes) pulled out for the second time they cited the reason as they had gone for a second viewing and seen the vendor had kicked a hole in their living room door, allegedly causing the chavs to speculate that the house might hold other horrors. Ironically enough, the vendor had kicked that hole in a rage when the buyers had pulled out the first time. You couldn't make it up.

CKhalvashi

G_M wrote: »

This could well be the solution to your dilemma:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2943078

Absolutely brilliant! :eek::T

CK

wolvesman89

Yes, you can tell I'm a FTB. I'm guessing you all think I'm naive to think that the whole thing is unreasonable. Like I've said, I'm going on holiday at exactly the same time as them and its over 3 weeks after our intended completion date. I don't see how this holiday could factor into any discussion surrounding this date? Can someone please enlighten me in a way that seems logical to me as to why this would cause a problem?

Better_Days

wolvesman89 wrote: »

Yes, you can tell I'm a FTB. I'm guessing you all think I'm naive to think that the whole thing is unreasonable. Like I've said, I'm going on holiday at exactly the same time as them and its over 3 weeks after our intended completion date. I don't see how this holiday could factor into any discussion surrounding this date? Can someone please enlighten me in a way that seems logical to me as to why this would cause a problem?

I think our chain of 7 would not have exchanged if there had been a FTB involved, and for that I am grateful despite the delays.

For the sake of your sanity and your blood pressure you would be advised to take the long view (although I admit that I did 'meltdown' at one point through sheer frustration)

Still, I would advise you not to waste energy looking for logic or common sense. Both go out of the window when it comes to house buying and selling. What seems perfectly reasonable to some people seems bonkers to others - different people have different priorities. Have a look at this programme on 4OD for some insight http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-property-chain/4od#3466040 Concentrate on securing the chain and locking up the sale by exchanging asap.

Ivana_Tinkle

The true reason for the delay might not be the holiday. It's more likely a problem with someone's survey, or mortgage, or something else they don't want to tell you about.

Either it will sort itself out (eventually) or it won't, but there's little to nothing you can do about it. Just try to relax and not get hung up on a particular date - then if it keeps slipping you won't be tearing your hair out.

I had a similar thing last summer - I reckon I was on the verge of exchange for about 3 months, off and on! - and it drove me absolutely nuts and I'm nowhere near a FTB! All you can do is try to find a way to deal with the stress (yoga, wine, shouting...)

mrginge

wolvesman89 wrote: »

Yes, you can tell I'm a FTB. I'm guessing you all think I'm naive to think that the whole thing is unreasonable. Like I've said, I'm going on holiday at exactly the same time as them and its over 3 weeks after our intended completion date. I don't see how this holiday could factor into any discussion surrounding this date? Can someone please enlighten me in a way that seems logical to me as to why this would cause a problem?

It may very well be unreasonable. These people may be complete morons. They may be delaying on purpose. Someone else in the chain may have annoyed them. A solicitor may have asked some questions that wound them up. A mortgage lender might have found some additional info out and rejected an application. A search may have shown up a mineshaft that was not declared. They may be arguing over some fixtures and fittings....etc

You're not naive, you are just expecting a logical and structured progression to your purchase, which you would have if you bought anything other than a none-new house.

House buying rarely works that way, and it equally usually involves additional costs at some stage. If you have costed this purchase to the penny and fixed your dates you have made a mistake. If you cant accept that then ring up your vendor on monday and demand completion by x date.

totallybored

wolvesman89 wrote: »

Just to add to my previous posts and in response, all parties had already agreed 24th was the date. I'm now wondering if the best way is to just bite the bullet and agree a date of our choosing in July on the proviso that contracts are exchanged straight away? Any thoughts?

I'd go for this option. When I bought my present house our offer was accepted at the end of March, I had a first time buyer and the people I was buying from we're moving into their parents temporarily. Should have been easy and we all agreed on an end of June completion. My selfish vendors decided they then wanted to stay longer, refused to budge on this as they suddenly had relatives from abroad visiting for the entire bleedin summer and we ended up completing the day before the holiday I'd gone and booked at the start of September which they knew about. We ended up with six weeks between exchange and completion and our FTB had to sleep on friends sofas as she'd handed her notice in on her rented flat as my vendors led us both to believe everything was ok right until exchange when they sprang the relatives visit on us.

Similar thing happened on my first flat, vendor decided at exchange it was too near Xmas to move (like no one knows Xmas happens the same time every year!!).

It's annoying and stressful and I've learnt to never trust anyone when it comes to buying and selling but I'd just concentrate on exchanging. Once that's done it'll be less stressful.