We are pulling out of our sale. Will the EA go nuts at us?

[mumbilical]

We've decided to withdraw our offer on a house and I'll have to call or email the agent on Monday. I feel bad because they held out for us because all the other buyers wanted a buy-to-let to turn into flats but we wanted to have it as a family home.

The house is in probate so there's no onward chain.

When we came in the buyer before had pulled out because they couldn't get a mortgage and in the EA's own words, the vendors were absolutely livid.

I know I'm just being silly, I just wondered if anyone had any experience of how this situation goes.

Well how far along are you and why are you pulling out?

The deal's not done until exchange/completion so they may be a little pissy but there you go

It happens all the time, so don't feel too bad about it.

Once I was psyching myself up to pull out of a purchase, when the EA rang to say we'd been gazumped (not in so many words obviously). I was relieved to get off the hook but flippin annoyed with the sellers!

Meant to say, have good sound reasons, so the EA doesn't regard you as a timewaster and continues to offer you properties to view.

Well, if they are cross - it's tough. They'll just have to be cross. You can't buy a house even if you have realised that it is the wrong thing for you, just so that people won't be cross with you, obviously

You just have to say that for X reason, it is no longer possible for you to proceed and you must regretfully withdraw your offer.

And at least if its a probate sale - well they weren't just about to move into their dream house themselves which should lessen the guilt. Of course if you are due to exchange tomorrow - well they will be cross.

We withdrew an offer for a house and went on to buy another with the same EA. They may be a little narked with you, but it shouldn't get in the way of business.

They won't be cross with you over the phone, they will be very polite, but will ask if you are really sure, and why you are pulling out. Then they will put the phone down and swear and throw things.

I don't know it depends if you're just messing them about or have a genuine reason.

It very much depends on the reason.

Why are you pulling out?

We had a damp survey done and it came out around 18k. It's just a really damp house (georgian, by the sea) and I'm concerned it'll be ongoing. THe report showed how badly maintained the house had been, damp coursing started but not finished etc. They are having a second survey done to check the price and then will probably offer to take it off the price but my heart isn't in it. We have a toddler, a teen and I have asthma.

I'm still going through wtih the sale on my house. We're going to rent.

We have honestly proceeded with every intention of buying the house, got quotes, visited with the builder etc.

Also, lots of people have mentioned we are about the worst possible candidates for a doer upper.

That is a bloody good reason to pull out! And not a reason that you need to apologise for either!

Exactly, as it's in probate they are just waiting for their slice (there are 3 of them). I'm half cross at them for leaving it for a year to get into this mess (guttering blocked etc.) rented out in a horrible state (god know who paid rent for it, there were disgusting mattresses etc.).

Well, that's a bloody good reason for not going ahead if I've ever heard one!! If the EA is cross after s/he hears that then they need to take a good look at themselves.

Really - just do it and don't worry about it.

That's what surveys are for. I wouldn't feel bad in those circumstances at all

That's what surveys are for. I wouldn't feel bad in those circumstances at all

The bizarre thing is, the EA has gone on and one about how thrilled they are that it's going to someone who will make it into a family home not a buy to let. THe EA kept telling them that 'in our hearts we already lived there.. etc. etc. blah blah and at the time I was a bit but grateful they were hanging around while we got our mortgage sorted. There were other buyers around, it went off the market straight away both times.

Thanks for you logic posters, of course we can't buy the house just to avoid upsetting the vendors, although if it was a family I probably would

Oh I wouldn't feel at all bad in those circumstances - just call up and explain your reasons. The EA will quite possibly have been expecting it and may well explain why the previous buyers couldn't get the mortgage agreed too if there's substantial damp problems.

Yeah, estate agent probably knows all about it. Maybe all their flannel has been in the hopes of making you feel, well - pretty much how you do feel, eh?

Thanks MrsCB. I'll do it first thing tomorrow.

And thanks to everyone else of course. This is only a two-house deal, can't imagine how stressful a chain is.

What if they drop the 18k?

When I read the title of your post I felt sorry for the vendors, but after hearing about the survey I don't feel sorry at all.

They must know that anyone with any sense will withdraw, bearing in mind the degree of damp.

All the stuff about being glad a family is buying the house is just flannel - emotional soft-soap to suck you in.

X-post with JustHeCate.

Noddy, that's the problem. I think they will offer to drop the 15k (we just pay the 3k vat) which is what we asked for initially. Actually, i seem to remember you're in the know on Brighton property: it's in Kemp Town. 410 but needs 80k (not including the damp) to make it really nice. Georgian terrace.