AIBU to walk away from this house purchase?

[Quandaries]

Will try to keep this short.

Viewed a house and loved it 6 weeks ago. Ticked all the right boxes and was very good value for what it was. Offered asking price and it was accepted. Survey done, solicitor engaged etc so at the stage where it’s cost us some money.
Booking deposit has been paid but is refundable (not in Scotland).

We have a large deposit and mortgage is ready to draw down. We’re not in a chain.

Our solicitor was chasing theirs for contracts.

On Thursday I got a call from their agent to say they’ve allowed another viewing from a very insistent couple who are cash buyers and offered £8k more.

Agent now wants us to reoffer and increase on the new buyers’ offer so we’ll be paying £12k above what was agreed. He insists that the house will go for even more if it goes back on the market and says that houses are being snapped up before they go on the market as more people are working from home and this village is very popular for those with just an occasional commute.

I’ve had a look at Right Move and can’t see any evidence of anything other than price drops in the area. I accept that there may be houses selling before hitting the market and I don’t have this data.

My heart loves the house. It’s in a stunning village and really ticks all the boxes in terms of schools etc.

My head is saying we’re actually in a better position than the cash buyer as we’re 100% ready to go and can sign this week whereas they will need to have survey done etc.

Head is also telling me that if the sellers are going to screw us for £8k (for context, that’s a bit over 1% of the purchase price we had agreed), they’ll be a nightmare to deal with and it’s only a matter of time until they come back to us either with a new offer from the other bidders, or pushing to put it back on the market.

I’m also guessing that house purchases slow down a bit in winter, and it’s an area where more Covid lockdown measures are likely so putting it back on the market may mean there aren’t many viewings.

For additional context, we can afford to increase our offer. I’m just loathe to get into a bidding war due to how the vendor has sprung this on us.

But I love the house.

YABU- up my offer
YANBU- walk away

Op I know that in reality this time has been terribly fraught for you but this thread has turned into a true 'spirit of Mumsnet' thread. Just like the old days of MN.

@Marmunia1975

This is exciting and I'm totally invested in this thread. I hope they get instant karma! FWIW - my DH got karma. He has been very patient and caring toward an employee with severe mental health issues. However, the employee threatened to kill him, drove home, had a crash, got out of the car and the other car reversed into him, leaving him with broken legs and possible amputations.

Woah.

That took quite the turn.

Marmunia bloody hell!
That swept the spirit of mumsnet back out into the garden!

That wasn't Karma: karma would have been the bloke stopping in the toad to avoid killing a little cat and someone shaking their fist at yelling him to fuck off; not nearly dying!

Walk; for the good of all of us. Don't participate in these silly games & they will stop.
Infact, don't walk as it sounds like you love the house - just say your previous offer stands. But start looking for other properties.

Oh do read the thread!

Right now we're on tenterhooks in case the estate agent needs some help with something involving baby oil or money laundering: two things I never expected to squeeze into the same sentence!

F5 F5 F5

@FurierTransform

Walk; for the good of all of us. Don't participate in these silly games & they will stop. Infact, don't walk as it sounds like you love the house - just say your previous offer stands. But start looking for other properties.

39 pages... Things have moved on a bit from there.

Op you're going to HAVE to start a new thread so we don't miss this vital update!!!

@prettybird

I'm old enough to remember the multi-flavoured Fry's chocolate creams - a different flavour every segment

"Plain" Fry's Chocolate Cream is still one of my favourite chocolate bars - you can get them in most corner shops

I was in Poundland today and they had raspberry, strawberry, orange and plain!

Perhaps EA wants OP’s advice on what chocolate bar 🍫 he needs to get on the way home

@Chicchicchicchiclana

EA's message is dodgy as anything! He shouldn't be being so mysterious and stringing OP and half of Mumsnet along. There isn't enough chocolate to keep this intrigue going!

Could we move on to cheese then? I love a good Stilton ...

If OP does get in touch with EA just after 5, we only have ten minutes to wait - or maybe 20 allowing a 10 minute conversation. What can he need assistance with?

It's my guess that vendors will put the house back on the market at a higher price with a different EA in a month's time.

Please start a new tread it’s nearly at 1000. We are too invested in the house and the chocolates 😃

My guess is the new buyers or seller would like sight of the survey.

good grief... what did I miss 🤔 ok Im waiting too 🌺

I'll get a Twix to you if you start a new thread!

@BluebellsGreenbells

My guess is the new buyers or seller would like sight of the survey.

I would think so too. As it's of no further use to the OP. If they want to pay full price for it.

Petty it may be but I certainly wouldn't be giving it to them.

I'M SO INVESTED IN THIS THREAD.

Sorry for shouting. As you were.

@Quandaries
If they want the survey, give it to them, but add extra on top to cover your inconvenience. You'll make a little profit and be happier.

I reckon he might also smell a rat and want to be able to say you upped your offer to regain contact with them, if he does this make sure you either have your booking deposit back or you ask him to send you an email/message confirming you are not on the hook for this offer!!! screenshot it

Reckon the EA has another interested buyer (not NB) and is wanting to know if the OP is willing to sell their survey!

Quandaries

Im so so hooked....im intrigued as to what the EA wants!!! Please do tell.
He is obviously 'kindred spiriting' you - what could it be???

Oh my word! OP you must be exhausted! I am and I am not the one trying to buy a house.

Certainly intrigued to find out what the EA has to say.

ooh THE SUSPENSE.....and chocolate...and to the PP who brought up cheese.... this thread is a gift, a gift I tell you....well apart from poor old @Quandaries who is, shall I go there? ....in a bit of a Quandary? A dilemma....... Virtual to you OP

I'm late to the party but I too am desperate to know what the EA wants. I don't eat chocolate, so will have some frozen peas instead.

I know about the palm oil and sugar in the KitKats, but could get round it as it was kind of edible, and the wafers were nice. It's the fact they have totally fucked up the wafers that gets me.

I have nicely rotting Camembert on my kitchen counter but prefer something blue and ripe, Stilton, Cambozola, that sort of thing, must be soft Stilton though, some of them are hard.

Waiting to hear about the agent .....