What's normal?

Jaffapig

We're first time buyers so a bit clueless as to what is normal.

Had our offer accepted on a property 2 months ago. Vendors were and still are looking for a property. No indication they have put any offers in.

So far we have been sporadically getting updates on the (lack of) progress from EA, but now EA cannot get vendors to return any calls (they have a telephone screening system in their home).

We are loosing faith and have asked solicitor to contact them for an update and an idea of timescales.

How concerned should I be that vendors have made themselves unreachable to the EA? I kind of had it in my head since the chain wasn't in place yet we'd sit tight until we heard from EA that they were ready to proceed and then stick to communication by solicitors from then on. Don't really know what is 'normal' though.

It is a real shame because we love this house, it is as close to everything we wanted as we could possibly have hoped for. We've failed to have offers accepted on two previous properties, neither as good as this (this one is considerably more expensive by comparison). We haven't stopped our casual rightmove searches and nothing better or even as good has come along. However this all means nothing if they aren't actually committed to moving!

- I should note they (and we) are looking for houses in just a single town. So I can understand it takes time, but we need good communication.

G_M

Contact the EA and ask for a viewing of another similar property. And let them know you are doing viewings with other EAs too.


That will focus the EA's mind on thefact that this sale (and hence his commission) is at risk.

walwyn1978

What GM said. Also, I know you've fallen in love with that house, but try to fall out of love with it again - sellers who don't seem particularly active in looking and stop talking to the EA may well be changing their mind a little about wanting to sell. People who aren't committed to their ongoing move for whatever reason don't see your need for clarity, for progress - they only see their own concerns and worries. I know this probably isn't what you wAnt to hear but I think you have to be realistic.

hazyjo

Agree with above. I would tell EA you still love it and hope to still buy it but say you have to be realistic and that you're going to start checking out the market again.

csgohan4

If their not bothered, why should you be?, goes both ways a sale in a chain

Thrugelmir

Jaffapig wrote: »

but now EA cannot get vendors to return any calls

For how long?

Had our offer accepted on a property 2 months ago.

When did you receive your mortgage offer?

Jaffapig

Thrugelmir wrote: »

For how long?



When did you receive your mortgage offer?

It's been a number of weeks now, 2 to 3, with very patchy contact prior to that.

We had our agreement in principle months ago, have not planned to apply for the full mortgage yet until chain is in place. The fees are huge and I'm not willing to invest money until we're in a position where we can realistically move forward.

Jaffapig

walwyn1978 wrote: »

What GM said. Also, I know you've fallen in love with that house, but try to fall out of love with it again - sellers who don't seem particularly active in looking and stop talking to the EA may well be changing their mind a little about wanting to sell. People who aren't committed to their ongoing move for whatever reason don't see your need for clarity, for progress - they only see their own concerns and worries. I know this probably isn't what you wAnt to hear but I think you have to be realistic.

Yeah I have been trying to detach from it as I'm not getting any positive feelings about the direction this is headed.

We're going to view another house with a different EA on Monday. It's not the dream house but it is a lot cheaper and does have it's perks.

Jaffapig

hazyjo wrote: »

Agree with above. I would tell EA you still love it and hope to still buy it but say you have to be realistic and that you're going to start checking out the market again.

Thanks all, I think this is the way forward. Our rental contract ends before October and it will be a tricky position if we have to overshoot the end date.

csgohan4

Jaffapig wrote: »

It's been a number of weeks now, 2 to 3, with very patchy contact prior to that.

We had our agreement in principle months ago, have not planned to apply for the full mortgage yet until chain is in place. The fees are huge and I'm not willing to invest money until we're in a position where we can realistically move forward.

A very good move, not to have a mortgage offer until vendor has offered themselves, might have saved a bit too

Smodlet

Jaffapig wrote: »

It's been a number of weeks now, 2 to 3, with very patchy contact prior to that.

That does put rather a different perspective on it for me. I thought you were talking 2-3 months. If it is only a couple of weeks, they probably just have not found anything yet. Of course, they could have found there is nothing out there good enough to make them want to move at this time but it does sound as if it is early days yet.

Another vote for G_M's suggestion to light a (small) fire under the EA's backside... Anything to make them do some actual work is fine by me. They are all going down where it's hot, anyway.