Our house buyer is wasting time being petty

babyblade41

FTB's can be really picky as they stress about literally everything but understandable as they haven't done it before .
It sounds like they are being advised by someone. 

You can  hurry this along yourselves by drawing up an agreement that covers things like the boiler going Pete Tong or some major development that was unforeseen before exchange ,typically roof problems that could be expensive to fix .

You have to be reasonable for such a long wait in-between exchange and completion, harassing EA's is going to make them feel even more uncomfortable 

benson1980

The buyer is just protecting their own interests. Perhaps more than most, but I wouldn’t remarket over it. With requesting money off for repairs, again I don’t really see that as a sign of a problematic buyer if it was an unforeseen expense. Even asking for a 2k contingency isn’t that outrageous if the condition of the property isn’t exactly what they thought it was and were concerned that the requirement for repair was an indication of general maintenance/lack of. This may then factor into the condition that they are requesting as well.

I’d be more concerned with the delay side of things but for the sake of ease I’d put in writing something around obligation to maintain your house- most of us just hope for the best but I can understand their concern about walking into a boiler not working etc. 

lookstraightahead

To be fair I wouldn't have considered buying in the first place with such conditions.

maybe they're getting cold feet. 

You could have sold to them quickly and moved out.

lookstraightahead

Jimjim78 said:

The joy of selling to FTB'ers. Most are difficult, you seem to have found one who is impossible. Good luck resolving. Sorry I can't offer any practical advice.

Or the joy of buying from those who want to hang around for ever waiting for a new build.

SameOldRoundabout

I’m on the buyers side tbh. He’s been pushed and pushed to exchange from the minute he offered, and then let you live there and do absolutely anything to the place in the 3/4 months between exchange and completion. Not to say you WOULD let the place run to the ground but I’d feel the same as him. Maybe he’s been torn about this hence being slow, but has now compromised with a condition plan. 

Honestly I’d just sign and say any issues arising between now and completion will be dealt with by you and you solemnly swear to keep the house as it was at exchange. I’m not a FTB and I’d be deeply uncomfortable exchanging that far ahead, especially with all the pressure and constant chasing. 

I do understand your POV too, and I think your developer needs to be more flexible really. 

verytired11

I would say you are only seeing this situation from your perspective. You want a quick exchange and you see all his actions as things that get in the way of what you want. From his perspective the fact that you are rushing him through due diligence and not wanting to address his concerns probably makes him even more cautious if not suspicious.  I think he was unreasonable about the money, but you did agree to it hoping it would make him speed up. In fact it communicated to him that you would do whatever he wants. So it has escalated into a circular dynamic.  I think it's difficult because there is the added layer of agents who miscommunicate and don't tell the entire truth to anyone.  I think you need to find your own boundaries now, without thinking about anyone else, what you need, and then communicate it clearly to the agent, fully prepared to find a new buyer if this buyer can't or won't proceed in that basis.

deannagone

I have to be honest, I find it difficult to understand why someone would buy a house from someone moving to a new build, with the need to commit to an early exchange and then a long wait for completion, without the 'reward' of moving to a new build 'dream' home.  There is a lot of hassle and little reward to being the buyer in this situation.  A lot can happen between exchange and completion with a long gap between the two, but the buyer is committed to the purchase regardless of what happens in between.  Personally, I'd always look for another 'easier' purchase myself.

I think the OP needs to be a little more understanding.  Not just thinking of their side of things.  As has been said on here, it isn't a huge commitment to give the guarantee the buyer has asked for.  If exchange and completion was going to happen within a few days of each other, as has been said already, yes the buyer could be called difficult.  But this isn't the situation.

kirtondm

Yes to some extent you are dancing to the developers tune such a long gap between exchange and completion is not normal and their is no advantage for you buyer.

Will the developer really start again for a few weeks delay?

steampowered

Tell the buyer that exchange happens next week or the house goes back on the market. 

Swasterix

I think the buyer is being perfectly reasonable. I would assume that a 3+ month gap between exchange and completion is fairly unusual. Anything could happen in this time, and once exchange has happened your buyer is committed. Your buyer is making an effort to protect their investment. Sounds very sensible to me.