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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:
WineIsMyMainVice · 22/04/2023 14:01

A really good solicitor once advised me to put the offer in writing stating the name of the solicitor you have instructed to act on your behalf. Also state that your mortgage is in place.
It just means that you are serious and wanting to proceed. It worked for us.
Good luck op.

EustaceTheMonk · 22/04/2023 14:18

and our house is on the market but not sold (viewings are commencing next week)

There's your answer. A seller with no chain is always preferable to one with a property to sell.

cupofdecaf · 22/04/2023 14:51

We had a similar problem a few years ago. We were selling in a very popular area and buying in a less popular area. Agents still sometimes wouldn't even let us view a house without our house on the market and wouldn't take an offer seriously without us being under offer.
At the moment you are an unknown. You may get buyers easily enough but what if they're selling and still not under offer? The longer the chain the less attractive you are as buyers.
You need first time buyers ideally with no time pressures but also keen to move.

Minfilia · 22/04/2023 15:09

It’s pretty straightforward I would have thought. They’re just waiting for the highest proceedable offer and will accept that.

Your offer isn’t proceedable yet so if there’s one that is then I would imagine that will be prioritised.

It’s a nice position to be in for the sellers though…. We only got one offer in seven months on the market!

SchoolTripDrama · 22/04/2023 15:11

@2bazookas You're not interviewing candidates for a job you're selling a house! 🤣 I'd be running out of that front door so fast

fishonabicycle · 22/04/2023 15:13

That's all very odd, as where we live you can't even view properties until you have a buyer! South east UK.

Beetrootlover82 · 22/04/2023 15:17

NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 18:55

@viques It must be so boring being realistic and logical all the time 🙄 if I want to get ahead of myself and be positive and in denial about the situation just let me.

You really didn’t need to tell us that Op 😂

Beetrootlover82 · 22/04/2023 15:19

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.

Good grief I’d find that off putting

i like to have a stroll around chatting with my partner

not being “mined” for information using their “professional” skills 🤔

Quitelikeit · 22/04/2023 15:24

It is common sense to say they are keeping the viewings because your house hasn’t sold!

it is that simple

OddBoots · 22/04/2023 15:31

I know it is unlikely but maybe you are right about getting on like a house on fire and they really like you - with 6 offers on the table and you not yet being proceedable maybe they are having these viewings to buy you some time to get sold so they feel they can accept your offer.

thelinkisdead · 22/04/2023 15:54

I have a slightly different experience here, although I do agree with other posters who’ve pointed out that you’re not an attractive buyer until you’re under offer:

We viewed a house without an offer on ours, fell in love with it and got on really well with the vendors. Theirs had been on the market a while due to a sale falling through, but is also a fairly niche house - features that would put some people off, but we loved. They were clearly looking for buyers who would love their house like they do, and accepted an unofficial offer from us on the proviso ours sold. The EA told us they would continue marketing the house and arrange viewings but the vendors told us they wouldn’t make any big decisions and not to worry. Luckily we received an offer which we accepted the very next day. I’m not sure how long they’d have held out if we hadn’t, but I suspect they would have at least for a short while.

Treesoutsidemywindow · 22/04/2023 16:45

I really feel for you OP! When you decide to sell, and move to a new property it is initially all very exciting, but sadly over time and with all the disappointments that can come with broken chains etc., it can be easy, like so many other posters, to find the stuffing knocked out of you. We've moved numerous times, and I know our current home is unlikely to sell quickly, as it is a bit niche. However, it doesn't stop me looking at properties and dreaming. Like you, our property goes 'live' this week, so we have started looking at properties online, and in fact, saw a property yesterday which would be absolutely perfect for us, and got very excited, but deep down I know that we can't do anything until we have at the very least, a buyer lined up for ours, and probably not even then, as most agents will recommend not accepting an offer until there is a complete chain in place. Hence, we will refrain from viewing until we're in that position, however long it might take, as I have come to the conclusion over all the times we've bought and sold, that fate takes a big hand in the process, and unless it is 'meant to be', it simply won't happen. So can I suggest that you perhaps continue to look at property online, maybe even make a list of those that are possibles for you, but DON'T look at anything in real life, until you at least have a proceedable offer on your own. You might accept what other posters have told you more easily, after you've had a few people trapse through your home, saying how lovely it is, only to never hear from them again, or if you're unlucky and your's doesn't sell very quickly, and you find yourself getting fed up with constantly trying to keep the place tidy on the off chance of a viewing. Anyway, whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck with the whole process, and hope that all runs smoothly when the time comes.

MaryCrawford · 22/04/2023 18:44

Could you offer them a non refundable deposit in return for keeping it off the market for a limited period of time, giving you time to get yours under offer.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 22/04/2023 18:52

No sane person is going to accept an offer from buyers who haven't sold. What are you even talking about OP?

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 23/04/2023 01:04

Treesoutsidemywindow · 22/04/2023 16:45

I really feel for you OP! When you decide to sell, and move to a new property it is initially all very exciting, but sadly over time and with all the disappointments that can come with broken chains etc., it can be easy, like so many other posters, to find the stuffing knocked out of you. We've moved numerous times, and I know our current home is unlikely to sell quickly, as it is a bit niche. However, it doesn't stop me looking at properties and dreaming. Like you, our property goes 'live' this week, so we have started looking at properties online, and in fact, saw a property yesterday which would be absolutely perfect for us, and got very excited, but deep down I know that we can't do anything until we have at the very least, a buyer lined up for ours, and probably not even then, as most agents will recommend not accepting an offer until there is a complete chain in place. Hence, we will refrain from viewing until we're in that position, however long it might take, as I have come to the conclusion over all the times we've bought and sold, that fate takes a big hand in the process, and unless it is 'meant to be', it simply won't happen. So can I suggest that you perhaps continue to look at property online, maybe even make a list of those that are possibles for you, but DON'T look at anything in real life, until you at least have a proceedable offer on your own. You might accept what other posters have told you more easily, after you've had a few people trapse through your home, saying how lovely it is, only to never hear from them again, or if you're unlucky and your's doesn't sell very quickly, and you find yourself getting fed up with constantly trying to keep the place tidy on the off chance of a viewing. Anyway, whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck with the whole process, and hope that all runs smoothly when the time comes.

It’s so tough isn’t it? Literally, since we decided to go on the market we are seeing maybe one property go on a week in our area in our price range and it’s not always suitable. It’s nerve wracking to think we might have to get to a point where our current house is effectively sold until we can actually be taken seriously as buyers (according to this thread) but then it feels like we are doing ourselves a massive disservice as we will be left without anything

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 23/04/2023 01:05

MaryCrawford · 22/04/2023 18:44

Could you offer them a non refundable deposit in return for keeping it off the market for a limited period of time, giving you time to get yours under offer.

It has crossed my mind to increase our offer quite considerably so they take it down but I don’t think there’s any point tbh

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 23/04/2023 01:06

thelinkisdead · 22/04/2023 15:54

I have a slightly different experience here, although I do agree with other posters who’ve pointed out that you’re not an attractive buyer until you’re under offer:

We viewed a house without an offer on ours, fell in love with it and got on really well with the vendors. Theirs had been on the market a while due to a sale falling through, but is also a fairly niche house - features that would put some people off, but we loved. They were clearly looking for buyers who would love their house like they do, and accepted an unofficial offer from us on the proviso ours sold. The EA told us they would continue marketing the house and arrange viewings but the vendors told us they wouldn’t make any big decisions and not to worry. Luckily we received an offer which we accepted the very next day. I’m not sure how long they’d have held out if we hadn’t, but I suspect they would have at least for a short while.

This exact scenario happened to a friend of a friend so it does give me hope!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 23/04/2023 01:10

fishonabicycle · 22/04/2023 15:13

That's all very odd, as where we live you can't even view properties until you have a buyer! South east UK.

I guess it differs from area to area! We are also based in the south east . In my limited experience - where we are, you can view a property unless the seller has specific criteria! I.E we’ve been turned down for a viewing because they want someone who has exchanged contracts or want a landlord

OP posts:
Sunny24 · 23/04/2023 01:13

NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 21/04/2023 17:29

No it doesn’t, stop being a d* 😂

Show quote history

@Beetrootlover82 is spot on Confused

Youdoyoubabe · 23/04/2023 01:15

Estate agent may have advised they can get higher price given how well the first round of viewings went getting 4 offers.

Also you are not cash buyers so that makes a chain which they may not want. They may prefer to hold out for a cash buyer so they can make the sale and then be a cash buyer themselves. UK house moving business is very unwieldy.

Overthehillsandfaraways · 23/04/2023 01:21

Your house is on the market but you've had no.viewings

Theirs has had many viewings with more npokrf in.

Theirs is priced to sell yours is not

You might hold their move up.

That's what I'd think.

They're right to see all interested parties. Some may be cash or first time buyers

Why should they ignore those when you're not ready

Sorry I wish you luck with your move

Original poster
NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 23/04/2023 01:37

Overthehillsandfaraways · 23/04/2023 01:21

Your house is on the market but you've had no.viewings

Theirs has had many viewings with more npokrf in.

Theirs is priced to sell yours is not

You might hold their move up.

That's what I'd think.

They're right to see all interested parties. Some may be cash or first time buyers

Why should they ignore those when you're not ready

Sorry I wish you luck with your move

How have you gathered ours is not priced to sell?

OP posts:
Beetrootlover82 · 23/04/2023 05:53

How come your first 8 viewings all booked for next week and zero for this weekend? No one wanted to view this weekend?

Abacusporttaco · 23/04/2023 06:09

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.

Love self important posts like these. 🫢

Abacusporttaco · 23/04/2023 06:16

I would never consider an offer from someone not proceedable. But I also stipulate that viewers have to be before they can even view. I don’t want my time wasted by buyers who make excited offers, cannot proceed and whose solicitors will inevitably try to move the goalposts when we’re a way down the road.

I also demand proof of funds/valid interest before I allow viewings.

It keeps genuine buyers in and nosey time wasters out. I’m not keeping my house immaculate for the latter.

House buying and selling is thankless.