Pushy sales office - New build - Advice

ajstephe

Developer: Charles Church (CC)

So back at the end of October beginning of December we put a deposit down on a new build house with Charles Church.

We are in a chain and are at the top. There are 3 people below us. CC originally on the paperwork wanted a competition date on the 22nd of December but unfortunately due to the chain and some outstanding searches and enquiries it looks like we are going to miss this date.

I have spoken to our conveyancers who state that it may be possible to exchange by the 22nd/23rd but there isn't much hope for a competition before then and besides there's not enough time to book the movers etc.

Since then we have had a pushy sales person calling and calling and calling from CC to drive the sale for the 22nd despite our conveyancers telling their solicitors that there is a delay.

My question is would CC be able to impose any penalties on us if we haven't exchanged and completed in the time frame they have specified? I am acutely aware that given the time of year, if we haven't had any exchange by Xmas then most places will be closed until the New Year. It is likely that the exchange and completion will happen but there will be a delay from anywhere between a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the holidays.

Can anyone advise about the pushy developer and their rights vs our rights? I appreciate they want to sell their houses but the constant phone calls is leaving a bit of a sour taste.

I know that the tactic with developers is for them to say infer that they have cash buyers waiting but given how close we are it is unlikely that if they start anything with a new buyer they would complete any quicker.

Surrey_EA

Theoretically they can do what they like, including pull out of the whole deal, until such point as exchange of contracts take place. You are also free to withdraw. (There may well be some sort of penalty clause in any reservation document you've signed, and there is the possobility you may lose any deposit you've paid).

In reality, the chances of them doing anything when you're so close to exchanging is pretty slim.

ajstephe

Thanks for the reply. I know that nobody is bound until contracts have been exchanged. It is rather frustrating for us as we'd also like to move as soon as possible but the sales office keep calling despite being in contact with their own solicitors who already know the score!

Surrey_EA

In my experience new homes sales people are frequently worse than estate agents!

ajstephe

This is the first time I'm buying brand new every time I've bought, others in the chain have been quite accommodating and patient, not so in this case it would seem. Speaking to the EA they seem to think that everything in the chain is progressing as it should so there should be no cause for concern, I just don't know how ruthless developers are.

AlexMac

The sales person wants his Christmas bonus for good end- year sales figures... Which isn't your problem, as long as you can withstand the hassle pressure!

Surrey_EA

AlexMac wrote: »

The sales person wants his Christmas bonus for good end- year sales figures... Which isn't your problem, as long as you can withstand the hassle pressure!

I bet it's a her!

ajstephe

It is indeed a her - not that it makes any difference.

I'd have thought better of them to be honest seeing as they see houses for a living they must know about chains and delays and should, to a certain extent expect delays to come up.

What makes me laugh is that the conveyancers I use are online and they update all actions straight onto the account so I can see that she called the conveyancers before calling me. And on the call to me asked if I had any update from the conveyancers! The bloody cheek

DaftyDuck

ajstephe wrote: »

.... I just don't know how ruthless developers are.

Think Zombie Vampire Stalin, simultaneously overdosed on PCP, Meth and Desomorphine, expecting to spend Christmas with several bickering in-laws and children, all wailing and criticising their small, sweaty house, cheap, tacky presents and plastic tasteless food, owing to the lack of bonus (s)he achieved in the last week!

Think Michael Gove! :eek:

Ruthless! No "how"; just plain, undiluted and pitiless unrelenting evil ambition ....

Remember, they do this day in and day out, year in and year on, soulless creatures of the newbuild office, no spirit, body warmth or breath, just a deal to close, a hope to crush. They live, like pallid wraiths, feeding on your sorrow, tears and despair.

Just my opinion, and I've never bought from one, just hand-held a friend and passed him a wooden stake and mallet!

ajstephe

DaftyDuck wrote: »

Think Zombie Vampire Stalin, simultaneously overdosed on PCP, Meth and Desomorphine, expecting to spend Christmas with several bickering in-laws and children, all wailing and criticising their small, sweaty house, cheap, tacky presents and plastic tasteless food, owing to the lack of bonus (s)he achieved in the last week!

Think Michael Gove! :eek:

Ruthless! No "how"; just plain, undiluted and pitiless unrelenting evil ambition ....

Remember, they do this day in and day out, year in and year on, soulless creatures of the newbuild office, no spirit, body warmth or breath, just a deal to close, a hope to crush. They live, like pallid wraiths, feeding on your sorrow, tears and despair.

Just my opinion, and I've never bought from one, just hand-held a friend and passed him a wooden stake and mallet!

No don't hold back, say what you really feel

marksoton

ajstephe wrote: »

I'd have thought better of them to be honest seeing as they see houses for a living they must know about chains and delays and should, to a certain extent expect delays to come up.

I've been on courses with these people. Trust me they are cretinous sales people and that's it.

They have no expertise in construction, building or the house process. They care about nothing but their sales figures and bonus ( or not!) thereafter.