AIBU to continue running away from this house purchase?

[Quandaries]

Follow-up to www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4041606-AIBU-to-walk-away-from-this-house-purchase

Don’t even know where to start.

I’m a little worried that what I’ve posted so far makes me recognisable but what I’m going to post makes the sellers from hell recognisable so I’m not sure of the best way to go about it.

75k!!

@Zilla1

If they have listed directly themselves, it's a good job for them you are not nasty so don't get a willing friend to view the house, offer a little over asking for exclusivity and thennproceed along the process, stringing along the vendor until the point of incurring costs. It's a really good job you have not taken this personally and rinse and repeat with different friends.

Wins the Internet

We did put an offer in at the asking price of a house. It was accepted but the owner insisted that he would still take viewings until the survey was booked.

We booked the survey and gave him a date in two weeks and he said he would stop the viewings at exchange and at this point we said we weren’t prepared to pay for a survey if he was still having viewings. We knew the house had been on the market for over a year but it was perfect for us as it was remote and we were planning on redoing it.

At this point the Estate Agent told us that the buyer was also demanding that we sign a document to say that we would not decorate or renovate the house as it had been his childhood home and he didn’t want it changed.

This was an old house but it was painted in cream and white and blue colours, no original features and a kitchen old enough to be naff but not vintage Farmhouse or anything you would want to keep.

We came to the conclusion that the guy would probably drop out at the last minute and we dropped out. Turns out the house had been on the market with other estate agents before the current ones and had had about 10 buyers drop out as the list of demands got weirder. The EA also told us that they were dropping the house after we pulled out and two years later it’s still on the market on purple bricks.

I genuinely do not wish for a house price crash (despite being currently priced out of the market and watching any dream of home ownership dwindle) but I can't say it would make me sad if there was a very, very specifically localised crash and the sellers in this story were to be found in six months time trying desperately to get the house sold for half the value you offered.

I think the EA deserves support here and you’re the only one to give it, but I agree it’s an unwanted hassle for you for no return whatsoever.
To make it simple, I’d tell the EA to write the letter in full that he requires from you to him, quoting all the facts and figures, dates, etc., then email it to you, then you can print it out, sign it and return.
That way he gets what he needs to pursue the vendors at no time cost to yourself.

@Dashel

We did put an offer in at the asking price of a house. It was accepted but the owner insisted that he would still take viewings until the survey was booked.

We booked the survey and gave him a date in two weeks and he said he would stop the viewings at exchange and at this point we said we weren’t prepared to pay for a survey if he was still having viewings. We knew the house had been on the market for over a year but it was perfect for us as it was remote and we were planning on redoing it.

At this point the Estate Agent told us that the buyer was also demanding that we sign a document to say that we would not decorate or renovate the house as it had been his childhood home and he didn’t want it changed.

This was an old house but it was painted in cream and white and blue colours, no original features and a kitchen old enough to be naff but not vintage Farmhouse or anything you would want to keep.

We came to the conclusion that the guy would probably drop out at the last minute and we dropped out. Turns out the house had been on the market with other estate agents before the current ones and had had about 10 buyers drop out as the list of demands got weirder. The EA also told us that they were dropping the house after we pulled out and two years later it’s still on the market on purple bricks.

😮😮😮

Now that is batshit crazy!!!

So are we having a Mumsnet house viewing? Happy to put a non binding, get their hopes up offer 😁

Do the statement for the EA, he sounds like he’s done his best and it’s not his fault. The sellers will have no luck for all this messing around.

My parents put their house up door sale and the first person through the door at the open viewing offered 20k over asking. They accepted, but the EA told the buyers that they needed to pay another 2k to get it.
My mother was so angry When she found out, and made sure the buyers got the 2k back.

Who knew that Next was selling these?

Also, I just read about them in this thread. I did not google or anything, and there it was on my Facebook newsfeed.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/ST617224/213159?fbclid=IwAR3QTG9FHUZ0Ridivr0NkRoh-rbXt1wwJHwyoNB23ZyQzaDpWRy4gkgNY#213159?istCompanyId=e80c8c23-3245-4fc9-a704-57063ee4b3f7&istFeedId=62f96c22-620a-41f1-83e3-a9cd52b8eddc&istItemId=imxrwwlpa&istBid=tztx

I would help the EA out. What dicks they are.

Doing the statement for the EA is a bit like doing a statement for insurance if you witnessed a car accident. Nothing in it for you per se but most people would see it as their duty to do it.

They sound thick as shit.

Yet they think are being SO clever.

Twits.

OP,
If you submit a true statement of what has occurred I imagine they are going to get arses handed to them on a plate by the EA.

They deserve no less.

@WhatWouldJKRDo

May all their chocolate turn to Hershey bars.

Fixed it for you, @Coffeeandaride

Yes, they taste like vomit

Crikey,what a palaver!

Have you thought about having a conversation with the EA and discussing your limits on aiding them,such as no court appearance?

You could also follow through with what OMGisthisforreal has suggested so you're able to set the record straight but without having to spend more energy than's necessary.

In your position I'd be frustrated that my boundaries had been trampled over and'd want to rectify this.

@Fightthebear

I’ve never had an EA contract imposing a fee if you refuse a reasonable buyer. Sounds like an unreasonable term.

It’s perfectly reasonable if you receive an asking price offer. The EA’s fulfilled their part of the contract.

Thanks all.

Feeling really shit about it all again today.

I definitely think their new asking price is ridiculous. I looked on Zoopla and no similar or even bigger houses in the area has sold for close to what they’re asking- including one with a very lovely indoor pool.

Going to give the EA his statement but say I’m not prepared to do anymore and just draw a line under it. I looked at the listing last night and can see they also uploaded the video tour and drone footage he did- which includes his voice. They’ve just cut it off at the end where he gives his contact details

A few of you asked what DH makes of all of this. He’s the same as me- loved the house but agog at how they’ve behaved and just wants to move on.

Funnily enough (and trying not to put too much detail on this) but he works in an area that’s very heavily linked to the economics of the property market and their third quarter reports for 2020 were issued yesterday and really don’t look good. Their internal economists are suggesting that there’s going to be a sharp shift and advised against investment in property.

So maybe all of this is a sign.

i doubt you will have to go to court they jsut want a strong case against them for their fees which theyre entitled to

sorry cross post

OP I think you have handled this terrible situation very well. I wish you luck in your continued search. 🌺

Blimey OP - what a rollercoaster! It definitely sounds like you’ve done the right thing. How you find something you love soon

We’ve just sold ours and had an offer accepted on the property we want (a cautious 🎉) but your thread has made me feel a bit more grounded - thank you! God house buying and selling is a PITA

Yeah time to move on! What a ride

Of you give your statement and the EA manages to claw some money back so you think you'll get some for the survey etc?

So sorry that you're feeling shit about it. I think the seller's latest stunt does show you that it wouldn't have mattered what your strategy was - keep same offer, offer 7750, offer 8k, offer 12k... none of these choices mattered in the end because they were brewing something much crazier.

It makes the message where they said lovely family really want to sell to you just squeeze it up once more, even more baffling, knowing that they had no intention of that whatsoever.

@Zilla1

If they have listed directly themselves, it's a good job for them you are not nasty so don't get a willing friend to view the house, offer a little over asking for exclusivity and thennproceed along the process, stringing along the vendor until the point of incurring costs. It's a really good job you have not taken this personally and rinse and repeat with different friends.

Think it's about time you tell us where the house is OP as the vendor might suddenly find them inundated with viewings.

I'm bored on mat leave and need a bigger house for my newly larger family...

Ah sorry, I'd missed your last post which makes the reply I just did a bit flippant. Sorry you're feeling down but as you read time and time again these things happen for a reason and work out in the end. All the best, OP.