Exchange getting knocked back

firsttimebuyer29rp

Still getting delayed and all we’re getting told is it’s the top of chain causing the delays (and in my solicitors words, “wasting everyone’s time”) but no one can explain why and what the actual reason is. 

Our direct contacts are only our estate agents and our solicitors. Is it normal for buyers to chase people higher up the chain for answers? I know this is usually left with estate agents and solicitors but without answers I just feel like I’m running out of patience. 

Today is the 4th day of trying to exchange. I just can’t believe this actually happens unless the solicitor at the top is being asked to hold off or something?!

Pat38493

firsttimebuyer29rp said:

Still getting delayed and all we’re getting told is it’s the top of chain causing the delays (and in my solicitors words, “wasting everyone’s time”) but no one can explain why and what the actual reason is. 

Our direct contacts are only our estate agents and our solicitors. Is it normal for buyers to chase people higher up the chain for answers? I know this is usually left with estate agents and solicitors but without answers I just feel like I’m running out of patience. 

Today is the 4th day of trying to exchange. I just can’t believe this actually happens unless the solicitor at the top is being asked to hold off or something?!

Unfortunately I think it's normal and there isn't much you can do about it.  We are in the same situation right now - we were supposed to exchange contracts yesterday (at least the buyer's solicitor proposed 2 weeks ago that they wanted to complete yesterday but we said we could not meet that completion date).

In our case, our solicitor has told their solicitor that their transfer deed is not correct and needs to be revised.  That was a week ago and the only update from their solicitor since then, is that their solicitor confirmed the agreed completion date.  We have said on multiple occasions that we need time between exchange and completion and there are a few irrevocable activities they have asked for like draining the pond and removing the fish, that we are not prepared to do until we have exchanged contracts.

In another previous case we had, our seller decided at the very last minute that they wanted to port their mortgage and this caused a significant delay for everyone - we ended up having to put our furniture in storage for 2 week because of it.  

From what I can tell, in these situations delays are very common and lack of any detailed explanation for the reasons is fairly universal - this leaves buyers and sellers stressed and wondering if someone is holding things up on purpose, but often it's not the case, and even when it is the case, it is often just trying to line things up with one or other person being on holiday or whatever.

You can try to approach other people higher up the chain if you know who they are, but you are not entitled to have that information, so in most cases you won't even know who they are.  I spoke to someone the other day who ended up inviting their buyer round for a cuppa and thrashed it all out, then they each instructed their EA to proceed!

Yorkie1

I think that trying to directly contact people further up the chain may backfire. They will be used to communicating with their solicitor and/or estate agent. Their solicitors won't communicate with you (professional duties).

It's very frustrating but it's best to stick with just your own EA and solicitor.

firsttimebuyer29rp

Maybe I should learn some patience…..

We exchanged this afternoon 

Tabieth

firsttimebuyer29rp said:

Maybe I should learn some patience…..

We exchanged this afternoon 

Fabulous news. Congratulations.