Long time poster here. NC as this is outing.
First time buyers DS and DDIL reserved a new build property almost 5 months ago. The property was almost finished and they thought they might be in by Christmas or shortly after. Their funds were in place with a mortgage offer and help to buy, plus the deposit they had saved. They chose a solicitor recommended by the mortgage broker, not the cheapest or the dearest but in the middle of the list.
The developers were insisting on exchange within 6 weeks, but when they rung to find out what was happening the solicitors admitted they had allocated them to a solicitor that did not deal with new build properties and they were re-allocated to another solicitor in the practice. This coincided with the developers having a hold up and the six week exchange deadline was no longer possible.
They were assured that the searches were under way and there would be no more hold ups, so they stayed with the same firm. It soon became apparent that the new person dealing with it was not competent, but the developers were not happy when they suggested changing firms in January. Now the house is ready, the developers want to exchange urgently and the help to buy funds have not been claimed.
The developers have finally run out of patience and said they are pulling out because they have no confidence in their solicitors who have now submitted the help to buy forms incorrectly four times.
Does anyone have any ideas how they can rescue this purchase. the house is perfect for them and close enough for us to be able to help out with DGS. House prices have gone up significantly round here in the last five months, there are no more new builds within budget for them to get help to buy and they will need to put in a school application in for DGS later in the year.
As soon as their useless solicitor gets the form in they will be in a position to exchange but it looks like it will be too late.
Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated as the selling agents have been told to market the house.