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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed with these house sellers…

179 replies

NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 16:49

So I know I probably am being unreasonable but actually just need a vent.

We put in an offer on a house earlier this week, we fell in love with it and offered £12k over asking. We met the sellers and got on like a house on fire. They took a lot of pride in the property and seem to want to take in to account who will be buying their house. I know there were another four offers but from what the EA would tell us we were the highest (all offers were asking price and above). The sellers haven’t found anywhere as they are moving to a different city so it’s just slower as they can’t just nip for viewings and our house is on the market but not sold (viewings are commencing next week) the EA told me when they had the viewing that they had more viewings booked in for this weekend but as they had, had so many this week plus offers they were looking to cancel and accept an offer before the weekend. I just felt in my gut the house was ours…

Just heard from the EA that they are planning on commencing with viewings this weekend. AIBU to be a bit miffed?

Can anyone who has sold before give me any possible insight to what they are thinking?! Surely you would want to be sold as quickly as possible and with solid offers on the table would pick one. Especially as you have a couple of offers over asking?!

OP posts:
Clymene · 21/04/2023 17:48

@NewKidOnTheBlock99 - you're not going to come back on Monday and tell us that you've got the house unless you've accepted an offer on yours which is unlikely.

From your OP:

Can anyone who has sold before give me any possible insight to what they are thinking?! Surely you would want to be sold as quickly as possible and with solid offers on the table would pick one. Especially as you have a couple of offers over asking?!

Lots of people have answered your question but you're not listening. Your offer isn't a solid offer unless you're a cash buyer.

GoodChat · 21/04/2023 17:49

Have they rejected the other 4 offers? It sounds like they're just holding out for a higher offer, which is fair enough as all you can currently offer is a pipe dream.

2bazookas · 21/04/2023 17:51

As I said they were really interested in talking to us and getting to know us a little and as I understand it had been at every viewing!

You met sellers who operate like me.

When I'm selling, I conduct every viewing myself using my professional skills; listening and interviewing. I know my property and area better than any kid in a suit sent by an agent to show it. I mine each viewer for information useful to the seller, me; pitch it to their interests, and sort the sheep from the goats.

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 17:53

Clymene · 21/04/2023 17:48

@NewKidOnTheBlock99 - you're not going to come back on Monday and tell us that you've got the house unless you've accepted an offer on yours which is unlikely.

From your OP:

Can anyone who has sold before give me any possible insight to what they are thinking?! Surely you would want to be sold as quickly as possible and with solid offers on the table would pick one. Especially as you have a couple of offers over asking?!

Lots of people have answered your question but you're not listening. Your offer isn't a solid offer unless you're a cash buyer.

Another Debbie downer 😂 me ‘coming back on Monday’ was in jest, just trying to make light of a situation now I’ve got some other perspectives clearly I know it’s highly unlikely.

I have listened? I clearly didn’t have a good understanding, since you’re tracking my replies you’ll see I genuinely asked if we won’t be taken seriously unless we are under offer or exchanged, I haven’t argued with anyone or said they are wrong I’ve said a few ‘fair points’ etc so I don’t know where you’ve got I’m not listening from.

OP posts:
willstarttomorrow · 21/04/2023 17:53

You are not proceedable and it is amazing you even got a viewing. No one will take a house off the market unless their buyer is in a position to buy. If there is a lot of interest in this house then it is unlikely they will sell to someone who cannot yet afford to buy it (as you are depending on selling a house which has not even been offered on).

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 17:54

GoodChat · 21/04/2023 17:49

Have they rejected the other 4 offers? It sounds like they're just holding out for a higher offer, which is fair enough as all you can currently offer is a pipe dream.

So our offer (assuming everyone else’s also) hasn’t been rejected they’ve just said they’ll let us know the outcome after the viewings things weekend!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 17:55

2bazookas · 21/04/2023 17:51

As I said they were really interested in talking to us and getting to know us a little and as I understand it had been at every viewing!

You met sellers who operate like me.

When I'm selling, I conduct every viewing myself using my professional skills; listening and interviewing. I know my property and area better than any kid in a suit sent by an agent to show it. I mine each viewer for information useful to the seller, me; pitch it to their interests, and sort the sheep from the goats.

Interesting!!! How has this method impacted who you’ve picked in the past? Or hasn’t it?

OP posts:
tillytoodles1 · 21/04/2023 17:55

I used to get so annoyed with people viewing when their own house wasn't sold. Tidying up, keeping the kids and the dogs from messing it up again, then they'd look very interested and say they were putting there's on the market next week. Grrr.

CantFindTheBeat · 21/04/2023 17:56

Good luck, OP. House buying is sooooo stressful. Especially as it sounds like you're in England, where the system is bloody shit.

Sounds like you'll have lots of interest in your house. I hope you get lots of offers this weekend.

If you get more than one offer, a crucial part is to consider the one you think has most chance of completing.

This is one with a solid chain that the agent has checked out. Or one from someone without a chain, where the agent has confirmed they are a 'cash buyer' (i.e. one who doesn't have to sell to buy, and doesn't need a mortgage).

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 17:57

tillytoodles1 · 21/04/2023 17:55

I used to get so annoyed with people viewing when their own house wasn't sold. Tidying up, keeping the kids and the dogs from messing it up again, then they'd look very interested and say they were putting there's on the market next week. Grrr.

The thing is though, and I know many who wouldn’t agree, I don’t think the blame is on me for going to view this house and putting an offer in. We met all of the requirements stated by the agents in order to do so etc I think it’s on the seller to specify to the agent ‘we only want ‘XYZ’ then these scenarios don’t happen. With our sale we’ll take anyone 😂 the more through the door the better for us! We actually couldn’t view another property because the owner had an offer accepted on a property and only wanted viewers who had sold theirs to keep it all flowing! So it does happen.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 17:59

CantFindTheBeat · 21/04/2023 17:56

Good luck, OP. House buying is sooooo stressful. Especially as it sounds like you're in England, where the system is bloody shit.

Sounds like you'll have lots of interest in your house. I hope you get lots of offers this weekend.

If you get more than one offer, a crucial part is to consider the one you think has most chance of completing.

This is one with a solid chain that the agent has checked out. Or one from someone without a chain, where the agent has confirmed they are a 'cash buyer' (i.e. one who doesn't have to sell to buy, and doesn't need a mortgage).

Thank you! you are good vibes!! Lovely comment 🙂

OP posts:
Clymene · 21/04/2023 17:59

I really hope you get the house. But when we had two offers on the table, one from a cash buyer and one from someone who was under offer, we went with the cash buyer, even though they were offering less.

I don't want to be 'Debbie downer' 🙄 I just don't want you to be massively disappointed. Or really annoyed with vendors who are making a financially astute decision

2bazookas · 21/04/2023 18:01

Would be interested to know what the situation of the other offers are and why none of those were accepted.

They've got offers coming in and more viewers coming ; lots of competition will drive up the offers.

If you told those charming people how much you want to offer for their lovely house, they can and will use it to get better offers from someone else.

CantFindTheBeat · 21/04/2023 18:03

I really wish people would be kinder to people who are new to house buying and selling on the open market and give advice rather than sneering.

It's such an emotive time, fraught with horrible processes and disappointment.

If you've never been through it before, of course you'll be innocent, hopeful and optimistic.

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 18:05

Clymene · 21/04/2023 17:59

I really hope you get the house. But when we had two offers on the table, one from a cash buyer and one from someone who was under offer, we went with the cash buyer, even though they were offering less.

I don't want to be 'Debbie downer' 🙄 I just don't want you to be massively disappointed. Or really annoyed with vendors who are making a financially astute decision

Thank you @Clymene 😊 My DH did say ‘you’re going to be devastated if we don’t get this house aren’t you?’ And I absolutely will 😂 I’ll get over it though! A better house will come along.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 18:06

2bazookas · 21/04/2023 18:01

Would be interested to know what the situation of the other offers are and why none of those were accepted.

They've got offers coming in and more viewers coming ; lots of competition will drive up the offers.

If you told those charming people how much you want to offer for their lovely house, they can and will use it to get better offers from someone else.

This is the worry now - we’ve potentially set the benchmark! Also I’ve accidentally drip fed they wanted everyone to go in at best and final and you would only be given the option to change it if you had the same as someone else!

OP posts:
PurpleBananaSmoothie · 21/04/2023 18:06

You are unlikely to be in a position to proceed ok Monday, even if you get offers this weekend. You want to make sure that any offers are proceed able before you agree to a sale. So presumably is most likely going to appeal to a first time buyer, so before you accept their offer you will want the EA to check they have a mortgage in principle. They will probably get that to them on Monday but it could be later in the week. However, the EA on the house you want will need to check the chain and check with your EA, so best case scenario - end of Tuesday but probably Wednesday or Thursday.

If you get multiple offers and you go to best and final offers, this would probably be Wednesday or Thursday because you will have wanted your EA to check if all those offers are proceed able.

Someone could view the house you want over the weekend and put an offer in on Monday, if they are proceed able they will likely get it, even if you’ve got offers because you won’t have sstc until you agree. What the EA might do is ring you and where you are at because they have an offer that is proceed able but be prepared to be outbid for the house.

It’s hard but the house isn’t yours until you’ve exchanged. Try not to get too attached. We’re selling ours at the moment and the chain is complete but until we have those keys, it could all go wrong.

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 18:06

CantFindTheBeat · 21/04/2023 18:03

I really wish people would be kinder to people who are new to house buying and selling on the open market and give advice rather than sneering.

It's such an emotive time, fraught with horrible processes and disappointment.

If you've never been through it before, of course you'll be innocent, hopeful and optimistic.

Thank you! This is really nice of you to say 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 18:07

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 21/04/2023 18:06

You are unlikely to be in a position to proceed ok Monday, even if you get offers this weekend. You want to make sure that any offers are proceed able before you agree to a sale. So presumably is most likely going to appeal to a first time buyer, so before you accept their offer you will want the EA to check they have a mortgage in principle. They will probably get that to them on Monday but it could be later in the week. However, the EA on the house you want will need to check the chain and check with your EA, so best case scenario - end of Tuesday but probably Wednesday or Thursday.

If you get multiple offers and you go to best and final offers, this would probably be Wednesday or Thursday because you will have wanted your EA to check if all those offers are proceed able.

Someone could view the house you want over the weekend and put an offer in on Monday, if they are proceed able they will likely get it, even if you’ve got offers because you won’t have sstc until you agree. What the EA might do is ring you and where you are at because they have an offer that is proceed able but be prepared to be outbid for the house.

It’s hard but the house isn’t yours until you’ve exchanged. Try not to get too attached. We’re selling ours at the moment and the chain is complete but until we have those keys, it could all go wrong.

Thank you! This is helpful to know!!

OP posts:
CantFindTheBeat · 21/04/2023 18:08

@NewKidOnTheBlock99

I think be a lovely buyer and seller and will be able to spread the lovely karma forever on once you're in your dream house 😍😍😍

CantFindTheBeat · 21/04/2023 18:08

* you will be 🤩

Xarrie · 21/04/2023 18:10

You can't even a view a house around here unless you're under offer. Massive waste of time to let every Tom dick and Harry round.

I hope you sell quickly and your offer is accepted though.

Thriwit · 21/04/2023 18:10

Have they actually said they accept your offer, or have they just said they’ll get back to you/haven’t outright rejected it?

I’d never formally accept an offer unless the person was proceedable, I usually wouldn’t even take viewers unless they were.

When I’ve sold a house I always try and strike up a rapport with potential buyers - I want them to leave the house feeling comfortable and happy so they good vibes from the place, and liking me so that they have faith I’ll go through with the transaction as easily as possible. Sometimes I really don’t like the potential buyer, but I can still fake it!

Clymene · 21/04/2023 18:12

That's a great attitude to have re a better house coming along. When I was buying my first place, it fell through and I was distraught. And then I found a much better place.

Got everything crossed for you. Smile

WimbyAce · 21/04/2023 18:15

At one point the agents weren't even allowing viewings unless your own property was under offer. I know the market has changed a bit since but I still can't imagining putting in an offer if my property wasn't under offer.

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