Sensible or too pessimistic?

Triangle · 8 October 2019 at 9:51PM

Hi all

Our house went on the market on Saturday afternoon. We felt we priced it realistically based on several valuations and recent sold prices. However, we also were less than optimistic about our chances of a sale based on time of year and location.

Our estate agent called today and said someone wanted to view; first time buyers who had provided evidence of a mortgage agreement in principle.

They viewed this afternoon and an hour later put in an offer which we rejected, they then quickly put in another offer which we accepted.

I can’t however get excited about it - am I being sensible or overly cautious? I’m half expecting a call tomorrow to say they have changed their minds or that they were ‘fake’ buyers! I’m well aware there are now many stages to the process and this is just the very beginning.

We’ve found a property we really like as well - offer put in today which was accepted.

Thoughts welcome!

PrettyKittyKat · 8 October 2019 at 10:14PM

We had the same situation and our buyer lead us a merry dance for 8 weeks and the put an offer in another house without telling us!

However, we were first time sellers and not aware of the process of the estate agents were giving us poor advice - our buyer didn't even providean AIP - lesson learnt!

Personally I would roll with it but with caution. Ensure the buyers are taking the next steps (instructing a solicitors, paying for their searches, putting mortgage app or arranging a survey) before you make too much progress on your purchase (ie before you spend money). If they don't do the next step in say the next two weeks I would start raising concern with estate agents and saying you want to consider taking other viewings as you don't loose your onward purchase.

In the meantime ask your estate agents to take the names/numbers of anyone else that calls so that if it does fall through then they can be called back!