Seller pulling out and re-listing at the last minute?

[juliec1986]

Hi all.

We were just about to exchange and close on our first house when the seller decided to pull out and the agent re-listed the property on their website.

We were in the middle of negociating with the vendor regarding some fixtures and fittings were wanted him to leave (blinds & light fittings), as we paid £3.5grand over the asking price we thought that was only fair.

We then had a call from the estate agent saying that the seller has re-listed and will be taking viewings until we complete.

Is this normal practice? Perhaps the agent has been putting pressure on the seller to get more money?

Any advice or similar stories would greatly put my mind at ease!

XX

[SquidgeyMidgey]

Has there been much to-in and fro-ing over the blinds etc? Maybe the seller thinks you might pull out and it's a pre-emotive strike. Or maybe it's their way of telling you to stop faffing about and get on with it.

[specialsubject]

WTF? If you've exchanged she can't pull out now. Have you?

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Exchange post haste.

The Vendor can't back out without financial penalty after exchange.

It sounds as though your negotiations over small items have annoyed them!

[Bearbehind]

It sounds like you've pissed them right off and they're not being held to ransom over the extras.

Just because you've paid more than the asking price, doesn't mean you can get other stuff thrown in for free.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

They are doing it to get you to hurry up. They are hedging their bets in case it all falls through. I wish we had done this when we sold some of our houses as the toing and froing can add months to the process or if the chain breaks you need to start again. Usually the seller leaves light fittings and curtain poles even if they say they won't as making good is a pita on moving day. Good luck but I would suggest pulling your finger out and reassuring vendor before someone else trumps your offer.

[wowfudge]

You can't expect them to leave anything much apart from the fitted kitchen and bathroom suite to be honest - you've annoyed them at the last minute. If you had made you offer and said it was subject to them leaving the blinds and light fittings and they'd accepted your offer that would be quite different.

[DustOffYourHighestHopes]

Wot bearbehind and everyone else has said. Negotiations over trifling sums (in comparison to purchase price) will OF COURSE piss off the sellers. If you are being too stubborn over such little things, they will logically suspect you are trying to think of a reason to delay exchange. So they are covering their backs by putting it back on the market.

We have given our buyers loads for free, and we also had nothing from our seller (even charging us for disgusting old curtains). You musn't take things personally - just swallow it - if you like the house you have to move quickly.

[DustOffYourHighestHopes]

P.S. there is no 'fair' in house buying. You just had to pray for semi-efficient solicitors/agents and reasonable sellers/buyers.

[juliec1986]

Thanks for your replies.

The seller agreed to leave these things when we made our offer, and then has drawn up a cost sheet at the last minute.

I understand this is annoying for the seller, and we have tried to reassure them that we are serious and really want the property, we just want to hang onto what was originally promised to us.

Im hoping we can come to a compromise. We haven't exchanged yet, and the to-ing and fro-ing has only been in the last 3-4 days.

Thanks

[SoupDragon]

TBH, I'd tell them to keep their blinds and light fittings.

[Bearbehind]

If you are about to exchange then you must have seen the property information pack a while ago- what did it say?

Verbal discussions at the point of offer are superseded by that.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Second that- just tell them you don't want the blinds and light fittings. When we bought our current place they were supposed to take all curtain poles and light fittings, we paid £5000 over asking price, we wanted them left as its a couple of hundred to replace them and it needs to be done quickly but they refused, in the end they only took half what they said they would. You really don't want the sale to fall through for a few old blinds.

[juliec1986]

Thank-you

I am of the same opinion now. I love the property as does my other half but he is working on principle and im working on emotions. :-)

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

In the grand scheme of things its not worth potentially losing the house over not to mention fees already encrued. We have since replaced all the bits that were left by the owners but it does suck when you have to get new curtain poles etc but that's the way it goes.

My advice would be to ask for another viewing to measure windows and withdraw request. When the seller sees you won't budge on paying more for them they might chuck them in (rarely do you ever get to move that sort of stuff and it fit), also get your solicitor to remind them they must make good any holes left by removing stuff. You might move in and its all there. If not at least you get stuff that you picked.

[NewLife4Me]

Just wondered, do people often pay over the asking price?
I have never heard of this before, and what happens if you agree a price over the asking price and the surveyor says it's worth less?
Or perhaps very expensive houses tend not to lose too much on survey?

[juliec1986]

We offered over, but thankfully the valuation came back at the exact amount.

I think its quite common in the current market as they banks are willing to lend again.

[juliec1986]

If we contact the vendors solicitors and say we will withdraw these requests, and exchange subject to the other issues with the survey being dealt with (which are minor) would we be in a better position, would he be willing to take the listing down?

[fastdaytears]

NewLife tons of people round here pay more than the asking price. never a problem with the survey.

OP the principle really doesn't come in to it so I'm with you not your DH. If you've offered more than the asking price then it must be a fairly strong market round your way, so the seller can find other buyers, and their money's the same as yours. You want this house and not another one, so you'll have to suck it up re the blinds! Sorry!

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Our new place was offers over. We put our best offer in and there was so much mucking about we never thought it would come to it. I think the survey came in slightly less but we had a small mortgage on it and have no intention of ever moving again! Also we still thought it was a good house for the money.

What issues have come up op? If they are minor I would just take them on myself, depends what the market is like in your area.

[juliec1986]

The market in Manchester is growing by the day it would seem.

The issues were minor, there was a tile on the roof that needed replacing and in the survey stated that the vendor would tend to this asap.

Other issues were that we needed to see certificate for the gas, and debris in the attic left by builders.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

I would do those yourself op. Virtually all properties unless rented out don't have a gas safety cert -£45-80. Rubbish removal you can do yourself as roof tile - depending on sourcing a long ladder. If market is growing you might miss out. In your shoes I would say to agent you will take these jobs on but house MUST come off market - then get a wriggle on!

[fastdaytears]

Yep, what princess said. It's a rubbish time to be buying so if you want the house then sort this stuff out yourself. It'll cost nothing compared to what you'd lose in fees if the sellers went with someone else at this stage.

[DustOffYourHighestHopes]

Seriously, just exchange and deal with these things yourself. It's not worth the hassle! We've bought twice, and these are SO MINOR.

Our seller promised to do all sorts of things and then we entered our new flat and she hadn't done them. But what can you do?

[newname99]

I think you have used up the goodwill from your vendors.On a high value item like a house no one likes the pettiness of haggling for a light fitting so close to exchange.You chose to offer over without the fittings so not realistic to go back on that.I don't have a gas safety certificate but do have regular maintenance.All that information would be in the property information pack.

[PassiveAgressiveQueen]

My first house came without light bulbs, because we wouldn't pay 3 times what the cooker was worth.