Someone's lying

[catkind]

Aaaargh. We're in the middle of a chain and the Estate Agents have been telling us for weeks that they're nearly ready to exchange contracts. It's always "the last piece of paperwork", always hoping to exchange in 3 days or so.
Someone's lying, inventing or otherwise being hopelessly optimistic. Is there anything we can do? We have zero leverage here don't we. Can't even tell who it is that's stringing us along.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Hassle your solicitor, they will know what's going on more than the estate agent and have more arse kicking power.

[catkind]

Our solicitor just says they haven't heard from the buyer's solicitor. . Is this "nearly ready" pure fiction on the part of our estate agent?

[wowfudge]

Call the EA's bluff. They are working for you and need to do their job properly. Tell them your solicitor hasn't heard from the buyer's solicitor and you need them to find out what's going on.

[Spickle]

The EA will have no idea whether you are "nearly ready" to exchange. The only advantage they have over you is that they can contact your buyer's solicitor and your solicitor, whereas you can only contact your solicitor (though if you are in contact with your buyer direct, might be worth talking to them).

Firstly, find out what your solicitor needs from the buyer's solicitor since they've told you they are waiting to hear from them. That might help in knowing how far along you are.

[steppemum]

nag your solicitor, and make them do the work. So phone every day and ask if they had contacted buyers solicitor 'waiting to hear' isn't good enough, they need to pick up the phone and ask.

One sale we had, the buyer phoned us. When we spoke it became clear we were both being fobbed off and the source was her solicitor. She was nervous and elderly, and was being pushed to the bottom of the pile. After our conversation she turned up on solicitors doorstep and stayed until she had the piece of paper she needed! Suddenly it all moved.

That wouldn't work if it is the buyer them selves though.

I would also consider giving an ultimatum - call their bluff you are unhappy about progress so on Tuesday your house goes back on the market and you are withdrawing from your purchase.

[specialsubject]

lazy solicitor, who you are paying. Phone every hour on the hour to ask what they are doing to chase things up.

[avocadotoast]

Yep, chase your solicitor. Our house sale took for-e-ver to go through last year because we naively thought our solicitor would be on the case (first time buyers, what can I say).

Turned out our solicitor was fucking useless, swanned off on holiday without telling us (despite saying we'd be ok to exchange the week he knew he wouldn't be around!) and left his assistant to sort everything. (She was great, to her credit. I hope she ends up in a better position than him!)

[catkind]

Thanks, That's helpful, I didn't know it was the solicitor's responsibility at this stage. They've been saying to us to let them know when there's an agreed completion date. I think they have all the paperwork for our two transactions, but either buyers or their buyers don't. I wish we had contact details for the buyers, I'd love to know what people are telling them. I do know where they live, perhaps I could put a note through their door with our number then they can call if they're as frustrated as us. Will get onto solicitors on Monday!

[catkind]

And now I'm cross with all parties. Why say it's about to exchange if you don't actually have a clue?