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Gezumped on charity property

Recently put in an offer for 305k on a house that was accepted! Status was changed to 'SOLD' and everything was ready to start moving, but got a call from the estate agent saying some had put in a higher offer even though our offer had been accepted.

So this property has been empty for three years and is being sold on behalf of charitie(s). We are first time buyers, and have over 25% and can move in straight away, but worried what would happen next. Do people think the charities will go back on their offer or are likely to change?
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Comments

  • sulphate
    sulphate Posts: 1,235 Forumite
    It is bad practice IMO to allow more viewers once you have accepted an offer but the EAs work for the sellers, not for you. Unless you are prepared to match/put a higher offer in than your original, I would start looking for another house. What a disappointment for you. :(
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,084 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Charities are not known for their refusal to accept more money, so they may well be tempted by a higher offer. Or it could be that the EA is trying to get you to pay more by using underhand tactics.

    You can either play along and offer more or hold tight.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • sparky130a
    sparky130a Posts: 660 Forumite
    The fact it is a charity is utterly irrelevant.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sparky130a wrote: »
    The fact it is a charity is utterly irrelevant.
    Not entirely irrelevant, as they may feel they have a legal duty to get the best possible return, even if that involves gazumping.
  • Having bought from a charity, they are amongst the worst. Their sole objective is to get as much money as possible. It can be done but put any notion that they will behave better as they are a good cause out of your head. Treat them, and expect them to behave as a business.
  • tiny_tim
    tiny_tim Posts: 7 Forumite
    Well, I got the call the day after the offer was accepted. Though the EA said they refused to allow another viewing of the property and said they the offer was agreed, the bidder had viewed the property a long time previously was 'underhanded' and sent an offer by email, which they are 'obliged to pass on by law'. I don't trust the estate agent but don't know what else I can do, I refused to budge and just said I'm ready to move and have a big deposit, that's all I can do. Thanks for the replies.
  • Surrey_EA
    Surrey_EA Posts: 2,048 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    tiny_tim wrote: »
    Well, I got the call the day after the offer was accepted. Though the EA said they refused to allow another viewing of the property and said they the offer was agreed, the bidder had viewed the property a long time previously was 'underhanded' and sent an offer by email, which they are 'obliged to pass on by law'. I don't trust the estate agent but don't know what else I can do, I refused to budge and just said I'm ready to move and have a big deposit, that's all I can do. Thanks for the replies.

    This is indeed the case. Irrespective of when an offer is received, even after another offer has been accepted, the EA must pass on all offers to the seller. Unless the sellers have given prior written instructions to the EA not to pass on offers below a certain level.

    Presumably there are other factors involved that mean you do not trust the estate agent? From your post the EA does not seem to have done anything wrong or acted improperly.
  • tiny_tim
    tiny_tim Posts: 7 Forumite
    I never said they did, but it is not exactly fun when you think you have finally come to the end of your hard work to find that it has been snatched out from under you. I am naturally inclined to distrust someone who works on the behalf of the seller.
  • 3mph
    3mph Posts: 247 Forumite
    The other problem is that those acting for a Charity will feel obliged to get the most possible irrespective because "they are working for a good cause" so they may well have no qualms about gazumping.
  • cloo
    cloo Posts: 1,291 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    TBH, if I were you I'd just be glad you got the call the day after your offer was accepted and not the day before you were due to exchange contracts. Yes, it's unfair but at least you've not spent money on the transaction.
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