Last Minute Delay before exchange

MrsEffee

I am beyond panicking right now. We’ve been buying a house since September. Our mortgage offer initially ran out in February and we got an extension because we were nearly there. Since the 19th of Feb when the extension was issued we have been working towards an exchange/completion on the 23rd (when the mortgage runs out). Deposit is into the solicitors, everything is signed and then yesterday out of the blue the vendor’s solicitors informed our solicitors that he wants another 4 weeks before completion. No explanation (he’s chain free or so he told us) and hasn’t answered his phone to the estate agents to explain or talk.

He seems like a nice guy, so I’m sure there is a reason. Though I’m super frustrated that he couldn’t have mentioned this reason weeks ago when first informed of when our mortgage offer ran out. 

Now we risk losing out on everything because we’ve left applying for an extension so late (because of only being informed yesterday).

I don’t want to lose this house. Is there absolutely anything I can do/offer in order to move things along? Maybe persuade him that he doesn’t need 4 weeks after all? 😬