To forcibly ask why you pulled out?

[MyPeachLion]

I am (was!) a cash buyer of a 900k property. We were due to exchange next week. And complete after 2 weeks. We went 30k above asking and 20k above another bidder. No other bidder was a cash buyer. We are about 10 weeks into the sale.

My solicitor informs me this afternoon that the seller pulled out with NO reason given.

Can I turn up to the seller's house and ask the seller face to face why they pulled out? AIBU?

The estage agent did not even bother to inform me, despite the seller telling them last weekend that he was cancelling.

No chain on the seller's end - they have a new build they have already moved into! Seller moved out of their property early last week. We know because we visited the house for kitchen measurements last week!

I rang the EA this morning to get dates so I can get carpet quotes for next week and the EA was on board! Not once did he mention that the seller pulled out.

I am pissed off for not knowing why he pulled out, and for the EA to not inform me of it, and then proceed to play me like a fool by humouring my requests for carpet tradesmen to enter next week.
Were they meant to enter through the cat flap?

Again, is it unreasonable to just face this time-wasting seller and ask them why?

In a nutshell.

Had you exchanged contracts? In which case they are subject to penalties. If you had not then they are within their rights. Scottish system is better in this respect, with legal binding much earlier in process. You may have been counting your chickens a bit too early.

They hadn’t exchanged but sellers will still be subject to solicitors’ fees and potentially hefty EA fees on a £900,000 property.

Indeed, which is why the Scottish system is better.

The estate agent should have informed you as soon as possible and I do think it’s unreasonable of the seller to pull out like this , especially since they’ve moved on now to another property .
I would be fuming but I wouldn’t approach the seller .

They wouldn’t have got as far as exchanging next week if the money laundering checks didn’t pan out. The first thing the EA does when an offer is accepted is to check the source of funds to comply with money laundering laws. IME it takes about a week, and whenever l’ve sold a property, l’ve instructed the EA that after an offer is accepted the property stays on the market until checks on the funding source are complete.

Your argument should be with the EA not the vendor.

Forcibly!?

Why with the EA? The EA won't have made the decision to withdraw.

He knew they had pulled out and still smiled and let her book flooring people to go in next week. Never said a word.

I’m sorry OP that’s cowardly and unnecessary. You’ve wasted time and money so I doubt all the posters saying you are ‘entitled’ would enjoy this experience themselves.
No you can’t demand an explanation from the sellers but of course you can from the EA, especially regarding why they allowed carpet fitters to measure up already knowing the sale had fallen through.
Estate Agencies are businesses too and I would be wary of buying or selling with this unprofessional outfit ever again. Good luck finding a better place and ensure the sellers are not given a copy of the survey.

The sellers are welcome to decline if they don’t want it. I don’t know anyone who has had an issue with it whether they’ve been buying or selling.

when we were buying and went round to measure up for curtains we took them a
bunch of flowers to say thanks. They couldn’t have been that offended as they left us a lovely message and bottle of bubbles when we moved in.

I and friends have been more than happy for people to come and measure up when we were selling. As long as it’s only one visit I think it’s acceptable.

I would assume someone has come along and offered a lot more money. Nothing you can do sadly.

It's over OP. Forget it and move on. They don't owe you an explanation.

Was I the only me who wasn’t expecting a property post given the title? -Thought it was going to be a sex post about pulling out - scooping my mind out the gutter as I type ;)

It’s not that unusual! Our house is worth about the same and we’ll be mortgage free in two years so we’ll be cash buyers if we sell then rent for a bit before buying another property. Plenty of people are in the same position.

Regardless of how much money you were spending, this is shit behaviour from both the seller and the estate agent. I also have to assume you have wasted money on survey and solicitors fees. This is why I think you should be able to claim the costs from the seller. Nothing brings out the green eyed monster more than money and beautiful homes as was demonstrated earlier this week by a mother who asked for advice as her lovely home in a posh area wasn't selling.

If seller moved out they did not change mind on sale, and if they had higher bidder normally sellers just get back and ask you to match bcs going with new person would prolong sale.
This is why I thought that maybe something came from sellers solicitors.

They may have decided to rent it out instead and wait a while to see if they can get a better price once borrowing rates have gone down.

YABU, post smacks of an excuse to say they have liquid assets of 900K

He knew they had pulled out and still smiled and let her book flooring people to go in next week. Never said a word.

Why would the EA do that deliberately? What is in it for them?

True, did not think of that.

@MyPeachLion

Don't listen to those who are obviously eaten up with jealousy at you being able to afford that.
God there are some really bitter people
on Mumsnet in this world
Absolutely no need! Just be kind ffs 🙄

I do feel for you, you'll have paid out already for surveys, etc.
Very underhanded of the seller to do this to you.
Good that you're not Baby Reindeer 2.0 🤣going to face the seller.
Hold your head up and walk away with your dignity.

I know how gutting it is as something similar nearly happened to us, but luckily it worked out on the day before exchange.
I remember how upset and stressed I was (also 36 weeks pregnant), so I empathise.

Fingers crossed something even better comes along for your soon.
There's a reason for everything, and karma is a bitch!

I thought the same at first glance :-).

I agree, £900k is not unusual in the London area. I do not get the suspicion or the resentment. There are always going to be people in life who are better off financially and/or have greater assets. So what?