How do I phrase this?

[Roto]

Basically, we're selling a flat, and our buyer is now unproceedable.

We had an offer on the table from another buyer for £10k under asking, who our EA said was really keen to buy as her first home. They were confident that she couldn't increase her offer, but said she was leaving it on the table incase we reduced.

We're keen to keep our chain together, especially as I'm pregnant, and so on Thursday last week, we contacted the EA to confirm that the offer was still there.

Somehow, they were then uncontactable until Saturday, when they called to confirm that they'd asked the buyer if she was still interested, and would get back to us on Monday morning.

We didn't hear from them until late Monday evening, with a question about the ground rent, which they already knew the answer to, but fine. EA said she'd pass it on, and asked if we'd mind emailing over the extra info to be added to our file...

Yesterday they confirmed that they'd forwarded that email to the potential buyer

And we've heard nothing else. We were clear on Thursday that we would accept the £10k hit to be able to tie things up again quickly because we had mortgage appointments and things this week...

I'd like to email and reiterate that we are happy to accept that offer if she's still interested, but on the condition that it's agreed quickly, to continue the chain. If we have to wait much longer, we'd be better off to continue doing viewings...

How do I word that without sounding really bitchy? I don't want to upset anyone, but the stress of dealing with this while on the EPU is driving me mad. Our EA has been dire throughout.

We understand that our estate agent has contacted you with reference to your original offer for our property. In order to maintain the current chain and to expedite matters, we can accept your original offer of £xxxxx, but would welcome your assurance that the sale can be facilitated promptly.

I would phone and tell them in no uncertain terms to get their finger out as they appear to be deliberately taking things slowly.

Thanks both.

Unfortunately seconds after I posted this, they called DH and said that the potential buyer wants the weekend to think about it, and he's agreed.

I'm fuming, to be honest, it'll be 1.5 weeks since we wanted to accept if they even get back to us on Monday.

What was your DH thinking?

He'd be ringing the EA back & saying 'I'm sorry, but we need to know by Thursday night it it's going back in the market on Friday'

You were prepared to drop £10k fir a speedy sale, not to be pushed about like this & if you're in England, this weekend is the Bank Holiday. I wouldn't miss out in the potential
Buyers!!

What’s your contract with current estate agent? If you can get out of selling with them tell them you need a decision now or will be relisting with a different estate agent.

Let's just say I'd be surprised if she doesn't pull out of the sale eventually. I'd find a way to either get them to expedite matters or continue with viewings. Your DH can ring them back and let them know or send a email to your EA.

I wouldn't waste the weekend of potential viewings. Tell them it's going on the open market tomorrow and if they've still got an offer you'll consider it along with any others on Tuesday morning.

Go back on market and have viewings over weekend. EA can tell potential buyer that you’d only considered her offer if she could move quickly, to keep chain intact. Hence having viewings as delay from her side in making a decision and likely to find proceedable buyers.

They can think about it, while you have it back on the market and open for viewings.

It's not bitchy, just business.