Buyers is delaying / refusing to exchange

KennyH1

We have agreed the sale of our property (leasehold flat) and all outstanding items have been resolved.

The buyer (cash buyer) is moving back from the States and is apparently 'desperate' to move yet she keeps delaying exchange and completion. She has recently had surgery in the states and has refused to complete until she if fit to fly in May. While we understand her situation, we are eager to get this over the line. We have asked for an exchange date in April with a completion date in May but the buyer has not responded to this via her solicitor nor via the estate agent.

Any advice please?

TroubledTarts

Sadly you can wait it out or start again you can't put much pressure on, especially with a remote buyer.

I would perhaps ask that within a week the buyer confirm they are still going ahead. That gives them an option to say no.

KennyH1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970724#Comment_81970724

Thanks, i assumed as much.

lincroft1710

Stick with current buyer unless it is blatantly obvious she has no intention of completing the purchase within a reasonable time frame.

RelievedSheff

We are most of the way through April now. What difference will a few extra weeks make at this point?

KennyH1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970741#Comment_81970741

Thanks. We've stuck with her since July 25. The tenant vacated the property in August on the request of the buyer as she wanted to move asap. Yet here we are near the end of April and no further forward.

I'm thinking of saying if we have not exchanged by the end of April then we will re-list the property.

KennyH1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970753#Comment_81970753

The differences is the fact that she wanted to originally complete in September last year!! Since the turn of the year she has constantly delayed so i actually doubt that she will complete and think we may well be looking at alternative properties.

We cant keep on hanging around for her to delay and delay time after time.

user1977

Just remarket (maybe with a bit of warning). You don't need to drop her (until such time as you get a suitable alternative buyer).

gwynlas

Do you know her personal circumstances regarding operation?

Perhaps she as awaiting a date for this to be confirmed and obviously needs to be fit to travel

I doubt that anyone on the forum would suggest that anyone living in this country commit to exchange without another viewing given length of time since initial offer.

I suggest that you note when she can travel safely and request exchange agreed as soon as viewing completed with completion to follow asap.

lincroft1710

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970754#Comment_81970754

You should have mentioned the history in your opening post.

Too late now but if it were me I'd have done something in Jan 2026 at the absolute latest. Remarket the property and see what happens, if you get a proceedable buyer then you have a choice

thegreenone

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970754#Comment_81970754

And perhaps there is any legal redress for the loss of eight months rent?