Vendor still hasn't instructed* solicitor

NH1878

We got sale agreed on a property 6 weeks ago now. I went ahead, got the mortgage fully approved, the mortgage company sent the guy to do the valuation/survey, received all the documentation through in the post about the mortgage and the valuation, no problems. 2 weeks ago I still hadn't heard from my solicitor, so I called them and they informed me they hadn't heard anything from the vendors solicitor. I called the EA who assured me the vendors solicitor had already requested the deeds etc. Not convinced at the mixed signals I was receiving, I called the vendors solicitor to ask what stage they were at (maybe I shouldn't have contacted them legally, but I'm really fed up waiting around. It's 6 weeks and they haven't instructed the solicitor, how long is the rest of the process going to take at this rate!?). They informed me they had received an inquiry from the vendor and they sent a quote, but the vendor never got back to them. Seriously... I called my solicitor back and informed them of this, who then contacted the vendors solicitor and they confirmed this was true to my solicitor. The vendors solicitor said they would reach out to the vendor to remind them to return they documentation to them so they could act on their behalf. Fast forward 2 weeks. I called my solicitor today for an update, who confirmed they have still heard nothing back from the vendors solicitor. They said I'm completely up to date and there is absolutely no more I can do until the vendor instructs their solicitor. They also said this is really dragging out and the process should be well and truly underway. I've contacted the EA who have said to me the vendor is moving at their own pace as they've not been well. I feel the whole thing is becoming a bit of a joke and the EA has been less than helpful by either not getting back to me, or giving me false information. What should I do next?

sal_III

First change the title of the thread. There is difference between hasn't appointed and instructed.

Then let the EA and vendor know that you if they don't sort out their s**t you are dropping off the sale.

Personally, unless it was a unique property that i was in love with I would just drop off the sale. If they are so apathetic at this stage, god only knows how much headbanging is on the cards later in the process.

Thrugelmir

Has the vendor found a property to purchase yet?

NH1878

sal_III wrote: »

First change the title of the thread. There is difference between hasn't appointed and instructed.

Then let the EA and vendor know that you if they don't sort out their s**t you are dropping off the sale.

Personally, unless it was a unique property that i was in love with I would just drop off the sale. If they are so apathetic at this stage, god only knows how much headbanging is on the cards later in the process.

Thanks for pointing that out, I've amended the title.

3mph

Look elsewhere. We had similar except the seller did start out working hard then drifted then pulled out. If yours hasn't even started then unlikely to complete. I would sit in front of the EA and ask him to explain why you should continue waiting for his client instead of finding a seller who was serious.

NH1878

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Has the vendor found a property to purchase yet?

It is my understanding the vendor is moving in with a family member.

moneyistooshorttomention

3mph wrote: »

Look elsewhere. We had similar except the seller did start out working hard then drifted then pulled out. If yours hasn't even started then unlikely to complete. I would sit in front of the EA and ask him to explain why you should continue waiting for his client instead of finding a seller who was serious.

I would tend to favour this approach.

As I am still waiting for the vendor to "buck up and get on with it" on a house I started buying in the 1980s (ie the little **** never did get on with it).

My home city is pretty dear and house prices rise steadily there and I think what the vendor was playing at was running a succession of would-be buyers (ie he'd agreed to sell to us) - but, in actual fact, my suspicion was he was going to string along buyer after buyer unless and until our house prices stopped rising and then his particular little game of "Musical Chairs" might have stopped when the music stopped.

Someone managed to get my house-to-be out of him at some point - but I'm not sure how long it was after I started buying it and suspect it was a few years.

kinger101

No point pulling out until you've found another property. But tell your solicitor to put all work on hold.

I'd also be phoning their EA again, discussing what steps are necessary for them to bill their client in the event the vendor doesn't progress the sale. The vendor is probably waiting for you to pull out, hoping they won't get billed.