House put back on market after offer accepted

ashp_2

We put in an offer on a house that was accepted a couple of weeks ago. We instructed our solicitors to proceed once the offer was accepted. We now also have a mortgage offer in place. We have also payed search fees and had the valuation done on the house.

I was annoyed to see the house put back up on rightmove without SSC. I phoned the estate agents and they said they are within their rights to do this once they have sent out the memo of sale to us. They have said they will not accept any more viewings on the property but it will remain on rightmove.

Any suggestions?

agrinnall

If you're not prepared to walk away and bear the costs that you've already incurred then other than registering your displeasure there's not a lot you can do. Early exchange, if you're in a position to do so, would be the only way to prevent gazumping.

Silvertabby

Bit naughty of Rightmove. Perhaps they think that if someone asks to view your property, they will get away with saying "sorry, that's sold, but let me show you some other houses........."


I've just had a look at sis-in-law's current and future houses on Rightmove - both are correctly shown as SSTC.

moneyistooshorttomention

ashp wrote: »

they said they are within their rights to do this once they have sent out the memo of sale to us.

I'm not quite sure how to interpret that sentence???

********

In the event - I found my current house was still up there on the EA's website and looking like it hadnt been sold yet (ie no "sold STC" statement on it or anything to indicate it was now unavailable). All available evidence was that they were still taking viewings.

I rang up the EA and positively blew my top and made it plain it was my house now and that my offer had been made and accepted and viewings most definitely had better stop right now. During this conversation - I told them that my 2nd choice house was still available and made it plain I was quite prepared to drop this house and go with my 2nd choice one instead if they were still making it look like my house was available to view.

It stopped right now:D and I proceeded to continue with buying the house.

Perhaps it would be as well for you to do the same?

It might depend, to some extent, how slow or fast-moving the area is. Certainly with my current area - it is rather on the slow side normally. Hence they didnt want to lose their "bird in the hand" for the sake of a possible "bird in the bush" so to say.

EDIT; Re my last house - I hadnt said a word to my EA - but they slapped up the "sold STC" banner across my house details the very day I'd accepted an offer on my house. and told me there would be no further viewings unless my buyer let me down. If anyone had then expressed an interest in my house - they would have been told "Sorry - its sold. But we will take your details in case the sale doesnt go through for some reason".

ashp_2

I'm prepared to walk away if necessary I havnt stumped up that much yet. It just irritated me that it was showing as SSTC and then they put it back up like it was still for sale. They told me they won't take viewing and told me I could "mystery shop" them if I wanted to prove it!

We are waiting on Solicitors for exchange date....

I have a feeling as the sellers are desperate to move they don't want to take it off yet + it was up for 325k and we only offered 290k which they accepted

JigglyPug

If they're that desperate to move, then they won't want to lose your offer. It sounds to me like they're holding out hope that someone will see it and offer higher.

If this was me, i'd go back and say your offer is conditional on it being listed as SSTC and that you will not proceed any further until that is done.. otherwise you have no guarantee that they're not showing it behind your back, all the while you're paying out for searches!

moneyistooshorttomention

Think I might be inclined to take up that suggestion and "mystery shop" them then to check - in case they're double-bluffing.

But then - I mystery-shopped my last house when I was selling it. To see if it was being well-marketed:D

TrickyDicky101

I would be inclined to drop a message through the vendor's door stating unless it is listed as SSTC on Rightmove within XXX days you will not proceed any further with the sale.

armchaireconomist

Mine went from under offer, SSTC, normal listing, under offer and finally SSTC 2 days after completion.


Good job it was overpriced and I negotiated a ridiculous markdown for quick sale.

AdrianC

ashp wrote: »

We put in an offer on a house that was accepted a couple of weeks ago. We instructed our solicitors to proceed once the offer was accepted. We now also have a mortgage offer in place. We have also payed search fees and had the valuation done on the house.

I was annoyed to see the house put back up on rightmove without SSC. I phoned the estate agents and they said they are within their rights to do this once they have sent out the memo of sale to us. They have said they will not accept any more viewings on the property but it will remain on rightmove.

Any suggestions?

Ignore it. The RM flag means nothing very much. When we bought this place, it stayed without any flag right up until it disappeared completely about a fortnight after completion.

If you're worried that they might still be accepting viewings, get a friend to ring up and ask about it. "Mystery shopper"...

ashp_2

Thanks all I think I will give them a call and ask for a "viewing"