Seller’s changing from chain free to being on a chain

BrumBab30

We have put an offer on a house back in mid-Nov 2021 and there was no chain as the sellers were moving in with their parents. We have got our mortgage offer sorted and we have had the survey done as well as all the paperwork sent to the solicitor (I.e proof of ID and proof of deposit etc…). So we’ve pretty much done everything we can to this point.

Today we received a call from the Estate Agent who informed us that the sellers have changed their mind and moved their parents in with them. For some reason, their parents aren’t moving back to their house. So the seller’s parents are staying put in the seller’s house and are selling their house. Then the seller and their parents are going to buy a new house together. Obviously this is going to extend the process further as they have to sell and then buy (meanwhile staying in the house we are meant to be buying). Our mortgage offer runs out in June but don’t really want to go through the hassle of reapplying and we are not optimistic they would have sold and bought a house by then. 

We aren’t really keen on pulling out at the moment as the market isn’t great.

Just seeking advice on what to do in this situation. Is it worth holding out? Or could we apply pressure on the sellers to move out in June. Or is it best just to walk away?

Sorry if that’s hard to follow.

comeandgo

I’d walk away.  4 adults need to agree to the property they will purchase, probably have specific needs with two being in pensioner land.

lookstraightahead

I would walk too,

Flugelhorn

there are now 2 extra transactions in the chain and there could be several people in each of those chains - best to look for somewhere else

Mahsroh

Yep, as others have said, walk away! 

Could take months just for the chain (or now in this case, 2 chains) to complete. 

Ms_Chocaholic

I'd maybe give them 2/3 weeks before I pulled out as they could be very laid back buyers who are easily pleased.  In that time though I would be viewing other properties.

MalMonroe

comeandgo said:

I’d walk away.  4 adults need to agree to the property they will purchase, probably have specific needs with two being in pensioner land.

What's wrong with two 'being in pensioner land'?  That's a bit discriminatory. I am also 'in pensioner land' as you call it. You may be surprised to learn that I have NO specific needs. Nor am I expected to have. What an insulting comment. 

I actually agree about walking away but because it seems as if these people don't really want to sell either property. Not for any other 'pension related' reason. 

lookstraightahead

comeandgo said:

I’d walk away.  4 adults need to agree to the property they will purchase, probably have specific needs with two being in pensioner land.

What specific needs do you mean? People retire at 50. Is there a land for pensioners? 

MalMonroe

You could be waiting for months on end. Yes, of course you could try applying pressure later on but it doesn't mean that anybody will move out at that time. I'd walk away now before things get any more messy. It doesn't seem as if anybody is happy for the move to take place since the couple selling you their property could have easily moved in with the parents as planned.

Sounds as if they wanted to block the sale and this is their way of doing it, rather than just being honest with you and pulling out altogether. It sometimes - maybe even often - happens.

It happened to us years ago when my ex and I were just about to move into what we felt was our 'dream' property. The owner wrote, rather than phoning us, to say she was very sorry but she had decided not to sell after all. I had even bought matching towels for the bathroom which she'd had renovated before moving. You just can't rely on some people. I think those two couples are there for the duration and will all be very relieved if/when you withdraw.

TripleH

The deal is difficult because one couple could be sorted but the others might not find a home.

I'd start looking around for somewhere new and ask your solicitor to freeze work on your file at the moment.

I wouldn't feel guilty if you found somewhere else and walked away, they changed the circumstances of the purchase. I wouldn't pull out yet in case they do get their acts together.

To be honest if you found somewhere new, I'd go to the buyer and cut your offer by quite a bit (chance your arm) first.

comeandgo

MalMonroe said:

comeandgo said:

I’d walk away.  4 adults need to agree to the property they will purchase, probably have specific needs with two being in pensioner land.

What's wrong with two 'being in pensioner land'?  That's a bit discriminatory. I am also 'in pensioner land' as you call it. You may be surprised to learn that I have NO specific needs. Nor am I expected to have. What an insulting comment. 

I actually agree about walking away but because it seems as if these people don't really want to sell either property. Not for any other 'pension related' reason. 

I’m a pensioner too and my husband is prehistoric but we are not in the process of having to live with our children which suggests help is required.