Advice on chains?

Housebuyer1983

Hello, I am buying. A house and the vendors have found an onward purchase. The vendors agents say that they have spoken with the other agents and the owner is end of chain as will be moving into one of her rental properties. 

We asked their solicitors to confirm that the chain is now but they haven’t answered. That was two weeks ago. 

Just looking for advise… Should we just proceed with searches etc trusting the agents word or insists on solicitors (i.e. the vendors) confirming this? Or perhaps just delay these a bit in case there does turn out to be more of a chain. 

The last two times we have tried to move, the sale has fallen through because vendors deciding not to move after all after I had paid the survey and solicitors fees so getting a bit fed up. 

diystarter7

Chase the useless solicitor and push for an answer you are paying them they are serving you and not the other way around.
Avoid chains at all costs IMO

eidand

Someone else solicitor's won't answer to you, you have no relationship with them and they owe you nothing. What you can do is bug the EAs to find out what's happening.

Housebuyer1983

diystarter7 said:

Chase the useless solicitor and push for an answer you are paying them they are serving you and not the other way around.
Avoid chains at all costs IMO

We were told they were chain free ‘but also looking to buy’ 😒 when we offered , the contract pack also states this. Now they have decided to buy a house and link the sales. My solicitor has been prompt and chased, it’s the vendor and their solicitor who hasn’t given a clear answer and all we have is what the estate agents say, that the house they are moving to is end of chain. I’m confused why the people we are buying from, their solicitor won’t just confirm that if it’s the case. Or maybe I’ve missed something about how this works? 

lookstraightahead

You can never be sure. People saying they will then come up with all kinds of random excuses not to.

however I've never been let down by a vendor, but I've made it clear always that I expect movement! 

diystarter7

Housebuyer1983 said:

diystarter7 said:

Chase the useless solicitor and push for an answer you are paying them they are serving you and not the other way around.
Avoid chains at all costs IMO

We were told they were chain free ‘but also looking to buy’ 😒 when we offered , the contract pack also states this. Now they have decided to buy a house and link the sales. My solicitor has been prompt and chased, it’s the vendor and their solicitor who hasn’t given a clear answer and all we have is what the estate agents say, that the house they are moving to is end of chain. I’m confused why the people we are buying from, their solicitor won’t just confirm that if it’s the case. Or maybe I’ve missed something about how this works? 

You've not missed anyhting. It's the sellers that are changing their minds/unsure.
People say one thing and do the other.
I'd be inclined to tell them they have 48 hours be very clear re chain free or you will back out. Your solicitor will put that across in diplomatic terms.

Have you considered selling chain free and the possibility of moving to rental on a very temp basis? This has risks but to avoid a chain you may have to do that or buy something that is really chai free and only sell to some chain free or reday-to-go buyer.

Housebuyer1983

diystarter7 said:

Housebuyer1983 said:

diystarter7 said:

Chase the useless solicitor and push for an answer you are paying them they are serving you and not the other way around.
Avoid chains at all costs IMO

We were told they were chain free ‘but also looking to buy’ 😒 when we offered , the contract pack also states this. Now they have decided to buy a house and link the sales. My solicitor has been prompt and chased, it’s the vendor and their solicitor who hasn’t given a clear answer and all we have is what the estate agents say, that the house they are moving to is end of chain. I’m confused why the people we are buying from, their solicitor won’t just confirm that if it’s the case. Or maybe I’ve missed something about how this works? 

You've not missed anyhting. It's the sellers that are changing their minds/unsure.
People say one thing and do the other.
I'd be inclined to tell them they have 48 hours be very clear re chain free or you will back out. Your solicitor will put that across in diplomatic terms.

Have you considered selling chain free and the possibility of moving to rental on a very temp basis? This has risks but to avoid a chain you may have to do that or buy something that is really chai free and only sell to some chain free or reday-to-go buyer.

I’ve already sold up so I am chain free myself. Problem is that doesn’t seem to be helping much as the issue so far has been the vendor deciding not to move after all. I’ve been renting two years now. I am definitely keeping an eye out for something chain free but those aren’t so common for what I am looking for, which is a detached house. 

TBG01

I'd be inclined to tell them they have 48 hours be very clear re chain free or you will back out. Your solicitor will put that across in diplomatic terms.

Not the Solicitors remit. 

Make those threats yourself or via the estate agent.  

And only if you're willing to go through with them.

diystarter7

TBG01 said:

I'd be inclined to tell them they have 48 hours be very clear re chain free or you will back out. Your solicitor will put that across in diplomatic terms.

Not the Solicitors remit. 

Make those threats yourself or via the estate agent.  

And only if you're willing to go through with them.

Agreed and this is what we did. Apols as my memory is not what it was.
Yep, I recall telling the EA to tell the seller to get their finger out.
My bad.

diystarter7

Housebuyer1983 said:

diystarter7 said:

Housebuyer1983 said:

diystarter7 said:

Chase the useless solicitor and push for an answer you are paying them they are serving you and not the other way around.
Avoid chains at all costs IMO

We were told they were chain free ‘but also looking to buy’ 😒 when we offered , the contract pack also states this. Now they have decided to buy a house and link the sales. My solicitor has been prompt and chased, it’s the vendor and their solicitor who hasn’t given a clear answer and all we have is what the estate agents say, that the house they are moving to is end of chain. I’m confused why the people we are buying from, their solicitor won’t just confirm that if it’s the case. Or maybe I’ve missed something about how this works? 

You've not missed anyhting. It's the sellers that are changing their minds/unsure.
People say one thing and do the other.
I'd be inclined to tell them they have 48 hours be very clear re chain free or you will back out. Your solicitor will put that across in diplomatic terms.

Have you considered selling chain free and the possibility of moving to rental on a very temp basis? This has risks but to avoid a chain you may have to do that or buy something that is really chai free and only sell to some chain free or reday-to-go buyer.

I’ve already sold up so I am chain free myself. Problem is that doesn’t seem to be helping much as the issue so far has been the vendor deciding not to move after all. I’ve been renting two years now. I am definitely keeping an eye out for something chain free but those aren’t so common for what I am looking for, which is a detached house. 

Have you considered an auction purchase and or the seller sells ASAP but then rents for a max of lets say 6 months. If you decide this, ensure you got legal cover for eviction etc just in case.

If I was you, I'd buy a property where the owner was not longer living there.

Section62

diystarter7 said:

Housebuyer1983 said:

I’ve already sold up so I am chain free myself. Problem is that doesn’t seem to be helping much as the issue so far has been the vendor deciding not to move after all. I’ve been renting two years now. I am definitely keeping an eye out for something chain free but those aren’t so common for what I am looking for, which is a detached house. 

Have you considered an auction purchase and or the seller sells ASAP but then rents for a max of lets say 6 months. If you decide this, ensure you got legal cover for eviction etc just in case.

Are you suggesting the OP buys the property and then lets the current owner continue living there for say 6 months on a rental basis?

If so, not only would the OP have to go through everything involved in being a landlord, you should also familiarise yourself with what the law is on that kind of arrangement before offering 'advice' to people to do it.

If that isn't what you mean, then why would the OP need "legal cover for eviction etc", what purpose would that serve?