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Can you approach sellers Solicitors

I know it's probably not ethically correct but the house we are in the process of buying (a repossession) the sellers solicitors and Eastate agent seem to be using every delaying tactic in the book - I am so worried we will loose out on this house because at this point anyone can still put in an offer as we have not signed the contracts yet. So much for an easy process. BTW we are FTB and everything in place on our side.
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  • terryw
    terryw Posts: 4,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    sealady wrote: »
    I know it's probably not ethically correct but the house we are in the process of buying (a repossession) the sellers solicitors and Eastate agent seem to be using every delaying tactic in the book - I am so worried we will loose out on this house because at this point anyone can still put in an offer as we have not signed the contracts yet. So much for an easy process. BTW we are FTB and everything in place on our side.

    I fear that they would not even speak to you. However, why not put pressure on the Bank who are selling the property pointing out every delay that their solicitors are using/causing. Make sure it is their delay, not your own solicitor!.

    terryw
    "If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools"
    Extract from "If" by Rudyard Kipling
  • TBH Give it a go, they can only say No.

    If they won't speak to you, write them a letter explaining your situation or send an email.

    I had to do this with my first property - spoke to the conveyancers and they actually told me what was outstanding from my vendors - a Direct Debit Mandate for their new mortgage!!!

    Nothing ventured...
    :A Born a Saint, always a Saint!
    I am a Mortgage Adviser


    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • chickmug
    chickmug Posts: 3,279 Forumite
    sealady wrote: »
    I know it's probably not ethically correct but the house we are in the process of buying (a repossession) the sellers solicitors and Eastate agent seem to be using every delaying tactic in the book - I am so worried we will loose out on this house because at this point anyone can still put in an offer as we have not signed the contracts yet. So much for an easy process. BTW we are FTB and everything in place on our side.

    Blow being ethical give it a try. You may not get beyond the solicitors PA but I do know that sometimes the sellers solicitor would take the call but they will be very guarded as to what they say. Even EA's can't always get through to the solicitor/s.
    A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.
  • sealady
    sealady Posts: 490 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well a stern chat to the Estate agents might have done the trick! They are now jumping through hoops at the moment. If it continues I will have a chat with the necessary parties concerned via email. Thank goodness my solicitors are actually on the ball and I am getting a daily updated from them what is happening.
  • Jorgan_2
    Jorgan_2 Posts: 2,270 Forumite
    chickmug wrote: »
    Even EA's can't always get through to the solicitor/s.

    Quite often with a repossession the EA doesn't even know who the sellers solicitors are. All correspondence is done via the management company.
  • terryw
    terryw Posts: 4,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    sealady wrote: »
    Well a stern chat to the Estate agents might have done the trick! They are now jumping through hoops at the moment. If it continues I will have a chat with the necessary parties concerned via email. Thank goodness my solicitors are actually on the ball and I am getting a daily updated from them what is happening.

    FWIIW I had a similar problem about twenty years ago. I bought a flat on a new estate and was selling it to buy a new house on the same estate. My buyer was dead keen to move and I was in daily contact with her as she lived only yards away. Her solicitor was the slowest creature on earth, but rather than do anything he merely fobbed her off by saying he was waiting for stuff from my solicitor. I checked absolutely with my guy and I obtained copies of my solicitor's paperwork which proved that her guy was being economical with the truth. I typed up a letter beginning "If you are buying or selling a property on this estate please be aware of using Halt, Stop and Mercenary (not their real name) as solicitors because of the following............, sent a copy to Halt and Stop and informed them that in seven days times it was my intention to leaflet the 400 houses on the estate.

    Completion took place within 10 days and I never had to carry this out.

    Not really applicable in your case, I know, but it just goes to show that hurting a solicitor in the pocket is the best way to chivvy them along.

    best of luck.

    terryw
    "If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools"
    Extract from "If" by Rudyard Kipling
  • sealady
    sealady Posts: 490 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Jorgan wrote: »

    Quite often with a repossession the EA doesn't even know who the sellers solicitors are. All correspondence is done via the management company.

    apart from obviously asking the EA is there a way I can find out who they are?
  • chickmug
    chickmug Posts: 3,279 Forumite
    Jorgan wrote: »
    Quite often with a repossession the EA doesn't even know who the sellers solicitors are. All correspondence is done via the management company

    My point was meant to be general, as I am sure you know, not all solicitors will take the EA's call. Even when you are acting for the same client.
    A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.
  • chickmug
    chickmug Posts: 3,279 Forumite
    sealady wrote: »
    apart from obviously asking the EA is there a way I can find out who they are?

    When the sale was agreed did you not get a memorandum of sale with all parties names, addresses and contact details?
    A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.
  • sealady
    sealady Posts: 490 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    chickmug wrote: »
    When the sale was agreed did you not get a memorandum of sale with all parties names, addresses and contact details?

    Doh! Doh! How stupid do I feel now I have the memorandum of sale and of course all the details are there.
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