My seller has gone AWOL! Help please

Pomly

Hi all,
I am mid house purchase, having had offer accepted on the house in August 2020. The vendor struggled to find somewhere as they were moving to the other end of the country and lockdown presented problems. They didn’t find anywhere til Feb 2021- fine for us as our house sale had loads of delays, so worked well. We completed on our sale in April and moved in with family, as the vendors onward purchase was no chain and they were planning to complete in May…so far so good.
The vendor pulled out of their purchase in March (serious defects on survey), but we weren’t too worried as the market was picking up and figured they’d find something else.
Since the vendors last purchase fell through nearly three months ago, the EA has heard almost nothing from them - only heard twice from them. Apparently they have an offer on a house and have also paid a deposit on a new build… but the EA don’t sound certain which, if at all. Contact with the vendor has always been hit and miss, and often been a few weeks between, but we’ve never gone this long with nothing. The EA say they are doing all they can - although I don’t think they are doing as much as they could - they have been very slow to ask questions and follow up, even though they know how hard it is to get hold of them. I think it’s become so hard to make contact they don’t care if they sell or not at this stage. The vendor also isn’t speaking to their solicitor, which makes things even more difficult.
We met the vendor in March at a second viewing, they seemed very nice, seemed pleased to tell us their plans and I felt we had good rapport with them. Having met them, I don’t really understand the lack of contact, or what they gain from it.

My question is what should I do? We have looked at many other properties in the area and found nothing comparable (we are very restricted in where we can move by OH job).
The EA have posted letters, called, emailed, knocked at the door etc. to make contact with little success. Even when the EA do speak to them, they hardly ask anything, hence we still don’t know what’s happening. I have literally provided a list of questions.
 I am considering giving my details to the vendor to see if they will contact me, or else trying to make contact with them (preferably via the EA - but it’s been 10 months so getting to the end of my patience). It would be a last resort, since although they seemed very nice, it’s impossible to know if making contact directly would put their back up. We are not trying to pressure them, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want some idea of what’s going on, especially since it’s dragging on and we’re living on a sofa bed!
Anyone experienced similar, and how did you solve it?
Thanks in advance…

Redwino222

I think this house has gone - they aren’t moving any time soon.

Tell them you have actively started looking for other properties and unless you hear concrete plans from them working five days you will withdraw your offer.

NameUnavailable

I would drop by and knock on the door. Go at a time when they are likely to be at home, a weekend morning perhaps.

[Deleted User]

Pomly said:

Hi all,
I am mid house purchase, having had offer accepted on the house in August 2020. The vendor struggled to find somewhere as they were moving to the other end of the country and lockdown presented problems. They didn’t find anywhere til Feb 2021- fine for us as our house sale had loads of delays, so worked well. We completed on our sale in April and moved in with family, as the vendors onward purchase was no chain and they were planning to complete in May…so far so good.
The vendor pulled out of their purchase in March (serious defects on survey), but we weren’t too worried as the market was picking up and figured they’d find something else.
Since the vendors last purchase fell through nearly three months ago, the EA has heard almost nothing from them - only heard twice from them. Apparently they have an offer on a house and have also paid a deposit on a new build… but the EA don’t sound certain which, if at all. Contact with the vendor has always been hit and miss, and often been a few weeks between, but we’ve never gone this long with nothing. The EA say they are doing all they can - although I don’t think they are doing as much as they could - they have been very slow to ask questions and follow up, even though they know how hard it is to get hold of them. I think it’s become so hard to make contact they don’t care if they sell or not at this stage. The vendor also isn’t speaking to their solicitor, which makes things even more difficult.
We met the vendor in March at a second viewing, they seemed very nice, seemed pleased to tell us their plans and I felt we had good rapport with them. Having met them, I don’t really understand the lack of contact, or what they gain from it.

My question is what should I do? We have looked at many other properties in the area and found nothing comparable (we are very restricted in where we can move by OH job).
The EA have posted letters, called, emailed, knocked at the door etc. to make contact with little success. Even when the EA do speak to them, they hardly ask anything, hence we still don’t know what’s happening. I have literally provided a list of questions.
 I am considering giving my details to the vendor to see if they will contact me, or else trying to make contact with them (preferably via the EA - but it’s been 10 months so getting to the end of my patience). It would be a last resort, since although they seemed very nice, it’s impossible to know if making contact directly would put their back up. We are not trying to pressure them, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want some idea of what’s going on, especially since it’s dragging on and we’re living on a sofa bed!
Anyone experienced similar, and how did you solve it?
Thanks in advance…

I agree with @Redwino222 the house is gone. You can leave the offer in the table if you wish but it’s time to start looking for somewhere else to buy. 

saajan_12

 Moving across country is always going to be harder, as they may not know the area well, be wary of a huge move etc. Thats why people sell, rent and then buy when they're more sure. They could easily change their minds or take years to take the plunge. Once serious house in 9 months means they're just musing / dithering / not motivated sellers. The lack of contact just further demonstrates this.

You could try asking them to break the chain, proceed with the sale in the next week, move into rented and then start looking. If they don't want to, (or say yes but don't do anything) then you need to look elsewhere. 

Pomly said:
We have looked at many other properties in the area and found nothing comparable (we are very restricted in where we can move by OH job).

The problem is really the above quote - you're comparing everything to this house, but this house isn't really available. Convince yourself that its non existent and start looking afresh. 

Justonemorecupoftea

Start looking elsewhere and maybe post them a note through the door to let them know that's what you are doing.

You could also ask your solicitors to speak to theirs?

Pomly

Hi, thanks for your responses.
We are definitely actively looking and have told the EA we are looking at other properties; as to whether that message has reached the vendor, I don’t know. Sadly not much has come on in our area / in our price range over the last few months, I wish there were more.

We have been trying to view properties from a ‘what if we’d never seen this one’ perspective as it’s looking like it’ll never happen, and we’ve been wondering for a while - we have had good reasons for not offering on the ones we’ve seen so far, it hasn’t been purely because they aren’t as nice as the one we have the offer on.
We have seen a couple that are way overpriced, one with a lay-by blocking the driveway and one lovely house with virtually no garden.

The EA have also discussed breaking the chain. Initially the vendors were reluctant (months ago) but seemed to be coming round to it last time the EA spoke with them, as they apparently were getting nervous they were keeping us waiting so long - not sure how much I believe that though!

What are you opinions on direct contact? Some responses suggest you would give this a go, and I’m thinking there’s not much to lose if the vendor ultimately isn’t too fussed about selling?

Thanks

Pomly

I meant to say - our solicitor has contacted theirs, which is how we know the vendor has also not been speaking to them. Their solicitor is also all but impossible to contact.
Thanks

deannagone

If they wanted to sell, were able to sell, they wouldn't have left it so long without contact.  I'd avoid any awkwardness (they may be nice people in a situation they don't see any way to move forward and so avoiding any contact because they feel they have let you down).  Just move on with finding another house.  No need to force the situation.  I don't think you have anything to gain after so long with no contact.  Not everyone is up front about difficult situations.

Redwino222

I wouldn’t bother with direct contact.  If they wanted to sell, you would hear from them, they would follow up.

it’s time to cut your losses.

Octothorpe

I hate people like this! Just put everyone out of their misery by telling you their plans!

Just ignoring the situation doesn't help.

If I were you, I'd accept the house is unavailable but I would be requesting a goodwill gesture in form of a payment to help with sunk costs - you probably won't get it but they might feel guilty enough to, who knows? I'd write a letter and post it to them.

Really feel sorry for you.