Is this normal?

NightOwl67

Hello, we viewed a property on 1st March and put in an offer on the 2nd which was accepted, however we have not really heard any more from the person we're buying from, we've done the forms for fixtures and fittings (did it straight way) and the people who are coming to ours had their survey done about six weeks ago. The chap we're buying from hasn't done the fixtures form so we've no idea what is staying or going at the house and he won't allow a survey until he's found somewhere, is this normal as I've never bought/sold a house before? It's very frustrating as I just want to move (going back to my home town).

Guest101

NightOwl67 wrote: »

Hello, we viewed a property on 1st March and put in an offer on the 2nd which was accepted, however we have not really heard any more from the person we're buying from, we've done the forms for fixtures and fittings (did it straight way) and the people who are coming to ours had their survey done about six weeks ago. The chap we're buying from hasn't done the fixtures form so we've no idea what is staying or going at the house and he won't allow a survey until he's found somewhere, is this normal as I've never bought/sold a house before? It's very frustrating as I just want to move (going back to my home town).

Find somewhere else. This is going to be a nightmare

sparky130a

NightOwl67 wrote: »

Hello, we viewed a property on 1st March and put in an offer on the 2nd which was accepted, however we have not really heard any more from the person we're buying from, we've done the forms for fixtures and fittings (did it straight way) and the people who are coming to ours had their survey done about six weeks ago. The chap we're buying from hasn't done the fixtures form so we've no idea what is staying or going at the house and he won't allow a survey until he's found somewhere, is this normal as I've never bought/sold a house before? It's very frustrating as I just want to move (going back to my home town).

Sounds like a reluctant/cautious vendor.

I'd tread carefully and not expect quick movement.

Surrey_EA

At this point the chain is not complete, as the person you wish to buy from has yet to find a suitable property to move to. It is impossible to say how long it will take for the vendor to find a suitable property.

Until such time as the chain is complete it is probably wise that you don't spend any money on surveys, or legal work.

If your sale is progressing, which it sounds like it might be, and the vendor you hope to buy from hasn't found somewhere after 6 weeks, I would suggest that it's time for you to begin looking for other options.

ellie27

Your offer was accepted 3 months ago??? The houses we have bought/sold we have moved into/out of within 6-8 weeks of having offer accepted.

Have you asked your solicitor?

I wouldnt have given him 3 months to find somewhere, I would have given 2-3 weeks max and if he still had not found something I would have withdrawn my offer and found another.

Good luck,

NightOwl67

Thanks for the replies. What I'm really asking is is this normal to take so long to move? A friend of my fianc! had to wait a year from when they found their house to when they moved in, we thought we'd be in by this summer now we're wondering if we'll be in by Christmas!


The people who have bought our house bought it the same week, ie, first week in March, they are first time buyers living with one of their parents, they really love our house as much as we really love the place we've bought! Looking elsewhere for us is not an option as it is absolutely perfect in every way, even just a ten minute walk to work for my fianc!, which in 28 years of working he's never been able to do.


We had a second viewing six weeks ago when we met the vendor, he seemed genuine and is looking to downsize, he did find somewhere he loved early on then the people pulled out and he's had to start again. He's also been waiting for a letter from his pension people to see how much more money he'd have available to buy somewhere, this letter was due to arrive about a month ago. I've also spoken to the estate agent and she had left messages for him and said she'd contact me when she heard anything, this was over a week ago now.


Seems like we'll just have to sit tight and wait, however frustrating it is!

csgohan4

walk, sounds like vendor is not serious about moving, 3 months is too long

DumbMuscle

The person you are buying from has taken 3 months to get to *the first stage* of the purchase. You will be waiting for several other things from him during the purchase, and even if you are going to be that patient, your buyer probably won't be (I'm currently almost ready to exchange on a property, but waiting on updates from further up the chain. If I found out this was happening, I'd be very likely to pull out even at at this stage).

Look at other properties - if you don't find anything, then you've just lost some time. But you might find a house you love just as much, being sold by someone capable of getting the purchase moving.

Surrey_EA

There is no 'normal' when it come to moving home, every situation is slightly different. Some will take 12 weeks some will take 12 months, it varies.

If you are completely set on the house you have found, are your buyers equally happy to wait until such time as vendor finds something suitable to buy? You mention they have had a survey done - have they also had a mortgage valuation carried out (assuming they need a mortgage) If they have a mortgage offer will likely have been issued, and this will have an expiry date on it.

From the information you have given you might well be in for a long wait.

Surrey_EA

csgohan4 wrote: »

walk, sounds like vendor is not serious about moving, 3 months is too long

It depends.

Some vendors take longer to find than others. It might be that in this case the house really is good enough to wait until the vendor finds. I have had more than one case over the past year where it's taken the vendor 6 - 8 months to identify something suitable.

Just like this situation these were people downsizing, and they probably aren't going to move again, so want to get it right. If the buyer cannot wait any longer, so be it, they'll just find another buyer. The sellers may be quite serious, but do not wish to buy something unsuitable just to keep the rest of the chain happy.

csgohan4

Surrey_EA wrote: »

It depends.

Some vendors take longer to find than others. It might be that in this case the house really is good enough to wait until the vendor finds. I have had more than one case over the past year where it's taken the vendor 6 - 8 months to identify something suitable.

Just like this situation these were people downsizing, and they probably aren't going to move again, so want to get it right. If the buyer cannot wait any longer, so be it, they'll just find another buyer. The sellers may be quite serious, but do not wish to buy something unsuitable just to keep the rest of the chain happy.

Move to rented if they were serious perhaps