What would you do...

NameUnavailable

I would first be asking the EA if they said that the buyer could have 'early access' and if so why. I'm sure they'll say they never said such thing. If they do admit saying it, ask if they're going to pay the buyers the £2.5K!

These buyers have lied about being FTB's. If one is buying furniture and having it delivered one can of course contact the company and change the delivery date - why don't they do that?

Ultimately, I would now tell the EA to put the place back on the market given the buyers demands.

daivid

carly_8889 said:

No exchange and they now want to reduce their offer by £2.5k because apparently the Estate Agent told them early access would be fine.

Don't you just love selling houses.

I would give the buyer a chance to proceed with the purchase at the agreed price and instruct the EA to remarket if the sale is not back on track by next Friday. Everything points to the buyers being chancers and out of principe I'd want to stand firm. The only caveat is how good a price is April's full asking minus £2.5k? Where I live prices have continued to rise slowly, so I'd be happy telling someone to jog on if I'd had full asking after a week on the market, if you are in a falling area the £2.5k discount may still be a great price - however these buyers have shown themselves to be time wasters, where would it end… Hopefully prices are steady for your sister so she has a strong position.

carly_8889

Thank you everyone. There is naff all on the market down there, it's a holiday town, summer holidays are never a prime time to list so anyone wanting to buy has little to no options. There are 2 other similarly priced properties on rightmove but both are smaller and need a lot more work doing. 

It feels like a bluff and we will call it for sure. Granting early access in any capacity is just not an option. We will see what the EA says on Tuesday.

Sistergold

Herzlos said:

carly_8889 said:

No exchange and they now want to reduce their offer by £2.5k because apparently the Estate Agent told them early access would be fine.

Don't you just love selling houses.

Do they have it in writing? No-one in their right mind would allow early access for someone to start alterations.

How desperate are you to sell? How desperate are they to buy?

You'd think they'd try and do what they can to bring the exchange date forward rather than adding delay.

Honestly, they sound like they'd be nightmare purchasers. You just know you'll be contacted immediately asking for compensation because a room is 2mm narrower than the floor plan says, or there's a squeaky floor board or whatever.   If you're not desperate to sell, I'd be inclined to just withdraw and put it back on the market.

What does it matter to the seller if they have it in writing with EA? It’s a no no for the seller to store furniture or give any kind of early access except to view and measure. At this point seller should threaten to pull out by A date and sell to serious buyers if date not met. 

carly_8889

Just an update for you all. The Estate Agent was adamant they had made no such promises and the buyer was seemingly unable to prove otherwise. Regardless my sister and her soon to be ex husband told them the price is non negotiable and to either proceed to exchange or the house goes back on the market. They exchanged at 4pm today for full asking. Completion on 5th September. Sadly she can't feel any relief just yet as the last few days have been so stressful, but it will come in the end.

Thanks for all your advice and wise words, much appreciated.