To think this vendor is out of order?

[Kittlewittle]

I put an offer on a house, and after negotiation, where it was increased, the vendor accepted.

Solicitors have been appointed and the conveyancing process is well under, but it is taking time due to some complexity of the purchase.

The vendor is now constantly asking me to increase my offer. I said we can't, we cannot afford to, but I am getting constant requests.

I have ignored the latest one.

Aibu to think that once an offer is accepted, the time for negotiation has passed?

If they want a higher price, they need to put it back on the market (and risk it not selling for months on end).

Unfortunately, the way the English (assuming you're in England) housing system works you can keep negotiating until Exchange.

But like everything, you have a choice. You can pull out of the purchase as can they.

That being said, I would find that pretty annoying. You can make a threat to pull out if they continue asking, but you do risk them walking away even if the threat was idol on your side.

This would be massively off putting to me and I’d consider pulling out. I’d be a bit concerned they’ll pull out down the line anyway.

They shouldn’t be asking for more money now. Maybe task your solicitor with pointing this out to them? I would
find it very annoying!

I really want to buy this house, so I am treading very carefully, and all the requests are direct to me via solicitors. Maybe this is why it's not a good idea to give your details to vendors.

I’d pull out at this point. Tell the solicitors to stop work and let the vendor put the house back on the market. Look for a different property. Don’t communicate with the vendor at all - go through the estate agent.

*not via solicitors

I had a similar situation when the vendor was trying to get me to give him a copy of the survey (the surveyor said no) and hurry up the searches (outwith my control) so the vendor threatened to put the house back on the market. I told the estate agents I was looking at other properties and they said oh, he’s just anxious. He ended up selling the property for £15k less than my offer.

This!

Never ever fall in love with a pile of bricks there is always a better house around the corner in my experience. If they want to play silly buggers fine not with you

Good advice, but it's hard to control feelings. This house ticks all the boxes, but you are right there are others.

I would be very careful op. They sound very likely to pull out at the eleventh hour and you will have lost a lot if money

Houses are worth what you are willing/can afford to pay for them. If the vendor thinks it’s worth more, let them test that idea on Rightmove. “Unexpectedly back on the market” tends to put buyers off.

Asking you, as in has your personal details?!
Absolutely not. I make it clear one last time you will not be renegotiating the accepted price and then totally ignore every other request. Everything goes through the solicitors.
Be prepared for them to pull out last minute. They sound the sort.

I wouldn’t incur costs such as surveys etc for a house where the vendor was constantly badgering me for more money. I think they’re likely to pull out, so I’d protect your interests now

Be really careful, they'll be the type to demand more money the day before exchange. You'll have to call their bluff if that happens or pull out.

I’d be concerned they’d strip all the lightbulbs etc if it did get over the line. Ask your solicitor to tell his to tell him to stop harassing you over the price.

You need to respond and say
the offer has been accepted and you won’t be negotiating further, I will now no longer respond directly and request all communication is via our solicitors.

I would not be proceeding with this sale under these circumstances. They will more than likely act the goat the day of exchange and you’ll be far too invested by then.

However, if you feel the house is worth the hassle, I would reply that you will not be increasing your offer, all further contact needs to be made via solicitor and if such requests are made again you have no choice but to retract the your offer permanently and pursue a more stable purchase. And most importantly, mean it!

Honestly I would be instructing my solicitor to cease working on it and pull out.
they are going to sting you for more money at the day of exchange

Several years ago, a colleague and his wife were purchasing a house to meet the complex needs of their 2 disabled teenagers and enable them to continue at the same special school. There was also scope to extend to provide an Annex at some point in future to give them some independence and provide a bedroom for overnight carers. The vendors were aware of this and had allowed an Occpational Therapist and builder to visit re immediate adaptations and equipment required & to advise on the feasibility of their longer term plans. The offer accepted was the full asking price and everything was proceeding amicably. However the day before they were due to exchange contracts the vendor demanded an extra £20k or they would take the property off the market. My colleague felt they were over a barrel at this point and family rallied round to fund the extra.
If your vendor is already making noises about wanting to increase the price, I would think very carefully about how to proceed.

I would just ask them to clarify if my offer as it stands has been accepted or not. If not, I would just say I will leave it on the table for now but I will be looking at other options too.

I'd run for the hills. These vendor/s will be asking for more money on exchange day I can guarantee it. Don't let them gazump you.

To be honest, I wouldn't care if they took all the lightbulbs etc: Those can easily be replaced.

I am worried it won't go through though.

Everyone here is right

it's a Buyers Market, maybe the agent should remind them of this .I would tell agent that you will pull out if they carry on asking. We really do need better laws in England for house buying& selling.