Question about house that is sold SSTC that we viewed 10 weeks ago

[poppyboo]

I need some advice please!

We viewed a house ten weeks ago which we liked but the layout wasn't quite right so we decided to keep on looking as it was the first property we had seen.
Now I'm regretful that we didn't make an offer, the layout is something I could have got used to and now the property is SSTC.

I have spoken to the Estate agents last week that are looking after the property and they say the sale is still progressing. I've asked us to be put on first reserve if the sale falls through.

I'm worried incase we get forgotten about by the estate agents/they might go to someone else if the sale does fall through! Is it acceptable to put a note through the door of the sellers with our contact details saying that if their present sale does fall through to call us as we are interested buyers? We are first time buyers with mortgage all in place so we're in a good position.

I want to make it clear that I'm not interested in putting a higher offer than the people buying the house, I'm just aware that sales do fall through for various reasons and we would like to be the first to know so we can put an offer in immediately. My DH thinks not as we would obviously not be able to negotiate on price as we are clearly interested in that particular property IYKWIM! Or they might re-market if sale falls though and put a higher price on it!

[treacletart]

Don't go direct to vendor - would look like you were trying to gazump and p off the agent to boot. Just keep gently badgering the agent. No sensible agent will forget an interested alternative purchaser, particularly if your offer would be proceedable.

[poppyboo]

Thanks treacletart!
My DH is now saying 'I was right' LOL
We actually drove past the property yesterday while we were in town and its empty now anyway, I remember the agents saying they had to move intro rented accommodation right away because they needed to move away from area for job reasons!

[nocake]

When we first noticed our house it had just gone under offer. We expressed an interest with the estate agent and they were on the phone the moment the sale fell through. It's not in their interest to forget about you as they want to sell the house so don't worry.

[poppyboo]

Thank you nocake that makes me feel better. I feel so awful we walked away! I wish I had had more experience at viewing houses when I saw it, then I would have known it was right for us. It was the right price too :(

[specialsubject]

the agent won't try too hard - as one said to me 'we've got plenty of others to sell, one buyer per property is enough'. So you need to keep a serious eye on it, but if you aren't making a bigger offer there's nothing you can do except wait.

there is ALWAYS another house.

[poppyboo]

Special I'm going to the EA website daily, I rang them last week too to check and they said it was still progressing. Should I ring weekly to check on it too or will I really irritate the estate agent? I don't want to get on the wrong side of them and they favour anyone else if the sale falls through IYKWIM

[AKissIsNotAContract]

If you liked the house that much you would have made an offer. Are you sure you don't just want it now because you can't have it? Keep looking, you'll find one with a layout that you do like.

[poppyboo]

Good point AKiss
At that point we weren't sure of area, we thought we wanted to be super close to children's school (This house is 15 min walk, we though we might want to be on doorstep of it IYKWIM) but as we are looking for what could potentially be our forever house we realised it was stupid to base our house decision on where the children's school is right now.

This house is city centre and as I don't drive makes it perfect for me and the children. DH has a car to get to work.

If it was our forever house in retrospect the layout could be changed when we had more money in the future (15 yrs down the line) the staircase needs twisting to make upstairs layout work better. I've now realised that a compromise has to be made with every house, whatever the budget, and with hindsight I could have lived with the upstairs layout as it was for a few years and altered it at a later date.

[poppyboo]

We bought the house! Just exchanged today!
S it's true, 1/3 of house sales do fall through, so if you see a house you like and it's SSTC, it's worth keeping a close eye on as it might come back on the market!

[Dillydollydaydream]

Wow. Good to hear you got the house. Bet the vendor was relieved to have a back up buyer too. Enjoy your new home :)

[poppyboo]

Thank you Dilly can't believe it all only took approx 5 weeks :o

[littlecrystal]

Wow! It gives me hope, too!!!!

[Jaynebxl]

Happened to us too. The house we really liked SSTC twice before we got it because the owners chose other offers over ours as they were in a better position and we hadn't even had our house valued. But I did email and phone the EA to say we were keen and all of a sudden we got a call to say the second sale has fallen through, they don't want to go back on the market, do you want it?!

[poocatcherchampion]

that's great! I love the 5 weeks bit as we are trying to move in about that too so you give me hope!

[Lavenderandroses]

This happened to us. Asked to be contacted if the sale fell through. It did, but by the time we realised it was back on the market again and we phoned for a viewing, the ea informed us they had accepted a offer and were proceeding with that buyer.

Gutted.