Buying a house from a couple going though a divorce!!

Kateandgez

Hi,
I am looking for advise/opinions on our current situation.
We are first time buyers and found the house that we fall in love with. After a few offers, we had our final offer accepted and the house change to SSTC ( in March)
Mortgage application completed, searches all complete. We signed the contract a few weeks ago for completion next Friday. Our solicitors rang today to inform us that the "husband" has never even signed and will not complete with out it being agreed they split the funds 50/50. They are currently arguing over this and we do not seem to be getting any answers!
I am so disappointed/ angry that we are only just being told now!
It seems so silly that they are arguing over money that they haven't even got yet.
What advise do people have on how we proceed from here?

Thanks in advance, Katie

kinger101

My advice would be to keep looking for somewhere to live. Do not spend any more fees on this one.

sam3103

My advice is avoid avoid avoid!
We had an offer accepted on a property that was perfect for us. The couple weren't married but had been seperated for some time, had two children. She lived in the house they had bought together.
3 months down the line, once we had already had searches done etc, our solicitors chased theirs for exchange and she said she wasn't selling anymore as she could afford the mortgage on her own. Partner was contacted via the estate agent who was insistent they still sold the house.
After a stressful weekend in limbo we finally were told she was taking the house off the market.
Its not just about the money, it's also the stress and the time spent.
I would look for something else.

Kateandgez

Thank you for your advice.
I am going to start the search again.
I feel sorry for the woman left in the house as she is moving into rented and have been very fast in answering questions we have had etc, so she obviously wants to sell.

Back to square one I think ��

Hoploz

All may not be lost. Their argument will have to be solved in the end.... If they're arguing over who gets what rather than whether or not to sell.

Look elsewhere, but you never know this could suddenly work out.

I bought from a divorcing couple and while the first bit regarding dispute over asking price was awful, with long delays and arguing over who knows what while we waited and waited, they eventually got their act together and so we went ahead and the transaction went through v quickly.

Kateandgez

Hoploz, thank you, that gives me some reassurance.
How long in total did it take?
Thanks, Katie

Floxxie

The solicitor can hold the funds for them until they sort out their argument. Otherwise you could be waiting a very long time - it took 4 1/2 years from my ex first agreeing to actually signing on the house :mad:

AdrianC

Kateandgez wrote: »

I feel sorry for the woman left in the house as she is moving into rented and have been very fast in answering questions we have had etc, so she obviously wants to sell.

Which is lovely, but she isn't selling the house.

THEY are selling the house. And if he doesn't WANT to sell the house...

metamatic

I'll be interested to see how this one pans out.

I've just had an offer accepted on a house owned by a divorcing couple. All ok so far but very early days and only having the survey done next week.

On paper it should be straightforward as I'm still at my mum and dad's and they are both going into rented. However I still have a nagging doubt that things could get messy.

kiddy_guy

Hold on a sec - has exchange happened though? If so surely some form of financial recourse?

AdrianC

kiddy_guy wrote: »

Hold on a sec - has exchange happened though? If so surely some form of financial recourse?

I read it as he's signed the contract, but it's not been exchanged yet.