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?

I wish people would read the thread. Tragedy is less likely as the sellers gave actually moved. Accepting a higher offer really is most likely under the circs. It is unethical and it sucks. However OP is BU

I think you should chase for an answer! It’s just morally holding people to account - something we don't do enough, which is making society worse.

We’ve had the reverse of this. Supposed cash buyers, who offered and then ghosted us. Two separate times. What the hell is wrong with people that can’t even give a reason or communicate what is going on.

OP,

You did give the impression that the price if the house and the fact that you made a cash offer are relevant to the situation. They are not, and you have sadly turned sympathies against you. I am very sympsthetic even though I agree with the majority that you cannot confront the sellers.

We had this happen to us when we were moving. It's absolutely soul destroying, and so so unfair. But.. unfortunately there isn't anything you can do about it.

Have the EA actually spoken to you? I would get it confirmed first. And I would be absolutely gutted if that was me. We are a week away from exchange and I'd be in pieces.

I can see why it’s incredibly annoying and frustrating but no you can’t go round there. That would be batshit and if you did it more than once could be harassment.

The English system is shit in that people aren’t tied in or at all accountable if they pull out. But that doesn’t mean you can go around doorstepping people. Chase the EA by phone for an explanation if anything but it won’t help you get that house. You need to just move on.

Forcibly?? 😂

You can't force anything! You move on and keep looking

Higher bid?

I don’t think you can confront the seller, that’s harassment but I don’t see why you can’t ask the EA for an explanation.

I think it’s poor that the agent knew last week and didn’t inform you. As pp have said, nothing you can do, but very frustrating.

As much as I'd want to nuke the house I would be directing my ire at the agents who have been incredibly unprofessional - unless they didn't know themselves?

It may come to nothing but I would ask the agents for an explanation at the very least because I think the sellers have treated you very shoddily even though they do of course have the right to change their mind. Bastards, the lot of them.

Sounds mega frustrating, sorry for your emotional and financial losses.
You'll find something better soon, hope you didn't lose too much money in the process.

I think mentioning the cost and the cash element is going to blind people from giving a true answer OP.

Of course you’re not unreasonable for being fuming and naturally a reason would make it more bearable even if it did nothing to change the situation.

The seller is within their rights and has done nothing wrong legally but any decent person would suggest their behaviour (and that of the EA) is disgusting. Being legally acceptable doesn’t mean it’s not really shit for you.

Id feel the same, and so would almost anyone in the same scenario (regardless of cost / mortgage position).

Well it's frustrating - but just because you've got £900k cash doesn't make you any more deserving of an explanation than anyone else who had a sale fall through for no good reason. Try to bear that in mind.

The reason will be that they no longer believe the sale to be advantageous to them in some way. I really sympathise, it's a nightmare, but there isn't any answer they can give you that you'll deem satisfactory, unless maybe it involves terrible tragedy and then you'll probably think they're lying.

I don't blame you for being furious and fantasising about confronting them, but don't actually do it. They'll just be gladder still not to be doing business with you. If you absolutely must, you know the name and address and that they're not going anywhere; get them on a couple of adult baby supplies and experimental pile surgery subscriptions.

Buyers are allowed to pull out. You are not owed an explanation. If it's because his wife or child has tragically died do you really think he wants you on the doorstep demanding answers about why you can't measure up for your new carpets?

People change their minds, unfortunately. It happens in about 30% of house sales (from either side).

Why do you have 900k cash?

My heart bleeds it really does. You have seen a house you want and can’t have. I’m sure you’ll live to tell the tale.

That is the nature of buying and selling property. Hopefully you find something else soon.

Sorry OP. The way of buying and selling houses in the UK seems utterly bizarre, unfair and fraught with peril for both buyers and sellers.

Does it matter?

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

Only if you want to appear as some grotty little awful person.

It's unpleasant for you to lose out but you have to suck it up and move on.

It's shit, but, ultimately, none of your business why they pulled out. Hopefully you'll find something else soon 🤞🏼

The reality is that knowing why they pulled out isn’t going to make any difference, I’d be having serious words with the EA tho due to their unprofessionalism.

Go and politly ask why... you never know what might occur. You could change their minds