In the Meantime

mark55man

Tell the estate agent you will play by the spirit of the conditions unless anything material comes up in the process.  Suggest to him though that the conditions are putting his commission at risk - he makes the bulk of his commission when its sold, not for adding an extra  1% or 2% more on the price

I think though that you should walk if they do not pull the house off the market as its a sign of utmost bad faith - you mentioned you were only 3% under asking, that's not outrageous enough to warrant such trickiness- I think you should double check my logic on the housing board.  When the fearsome (but helpful) posters there have stopped laughing (at the vendor/EA) they will give you stronger advice

Skint_yet_Again

Oh wow those conditions are totally unreasonable! 

I would dislike the vendor too! 😡

I hope you hold on for another property & that your ideas for income streams come to fruition 

badmemory

I would make sure you have absolutely the fullest survey you can have.  In fact I would be implying to the surveyor that you think something is wrong.  Of course it could be something as simple as them getting repossessed if the sale doesn't happen soon.  Which doesn't make them any more likeable.

jwil

Those conditions are ridiculous, particularly as they won't take it off the market.

However on the flip side, with an attitude like that, they aren't likely to sell quickly!

beanielou

Is it even possble to complete in a month?!!!
THey get to keep it on the market.Really.

Humdinger1

 Vendors, EA or both are utterly delusional, entitled and just plain rude! Why should you agree to conditions that tell you they are desperate or have something to hide?! Well done on not getting sucked in love Humdinger x 

mark55man

Or maybe say you will accept their conditions only but reduce your offer by £10K - just to infuriate them.  I have to say its looking like a red flag.  Do you have enough resources to deal with this **** 

doingitanyway

Thanks everyone

I am made to feel very welcome living here so I feel ok to wait for something else. Actually, I'd go further and say I am enjoying my time here. Although I have panic times at being here too. I can see prices dropping a bit in the area I am looking in and properties are hanging about for longer. As @Skint_yet_Again suggests, I am going to hold out.

I emailed the EA this morning rejecting the conditions and including ' My expectation would be for the property to removed from marketing once an offer had been agreed' I thanked the EA for the work done in getting the deal to this stage. I can't afford to infuriate anyone @mark55man as tempting as that was (totally agree about putting their commission at risk but didn't point it out) surprisingly I feel ok about not proceeding further. As @badmemory said, it feels like something is wrong here, not sure what, but something. 

@Humdinger1 @beanielou @jwil thank you for confirming the ridiculousness of their position! I felt all those things too!

Trying to find the positive and there are a few

• I got my paperwork in order to send over (it is readily accessible for next time now)
• I worked through additional income ideas and feel excited by them
• I held my own by not agreeing to another visit to view (saved £60)
• I did not emotionally attach to the house so I don't feel too wounded!

The search goes on. I feel it getting closer...

Have a good day everyone

savingholmes

Sounds like a rollercoaster 🎢

The conditions were unreasonable 

Glad you like where you are currently staying.

savingholmes

Well done on the pad