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Original poster

What to do? Offer accepted but have seen a house we prefer.

18 replies

NanooCov · 15/09/2013 09:04

Last week my DH and I made an offer on a house. Which was accepted - yay! But we've now seen another property we prefer (bigger, better kitchen, newer boiler etc). We're considering withdrawing our offer (if we make an offer on the 2nd house and it is accepted). But in the interim the vendors of house number 1 have offered on a house themselves. And it's been accepted. I feel like the biggest cow ever but we need to do what's right for us, no?

OP posts:
FlatCapAndAWhippet · 15/09/2013 09:10

Yep you sure do....all part of the joys of moving house I'm afraid. If you're going to do it, do it quickly though to give the other people a chance of sorting the inevitably stressful situation.

HarderToKidnap · 15/09/2013 09:15

We nearly had a similar situation. The original vendors were lovely and had accepted our offer over a different, slightly higher one as they wanted us to have the house. We then saw a house come up on right move in a slightly better location, a bigger kitchen and more attractive. We felt AWFUL but decided to view it. We decided you can't make the biggest decision of your life to please a stranger, you've got to do what's best for you.

HATED the second house the second we walked in, so we didn't have to worry about it in the end and we love love love our new house. But we would have pulled out, not without regret.

HarderToKidnap · 15/09/2013 09:17

Also ou could always lie to the agent and say you can't proceed with any move, invent an elderly parent that needs caring for or a job loss or something! Makes you seem a bit less cow-like if that is important to you!

Viognier · 15/09/2013 09:44

I presume you are in England where the "system" allows these things to happen. In Scotland the system is much fairer and your word is legally binding; you wouldn't be able to change your mind.
I'm not sure about the Welsh system or any other system but maybe you'd be better telling us where you are.

Original poster
NanooCov · 15/09/2013 09:52

If we do go down this route I'm just going to be straight with the agent. The 2nd house is in the same area so would feel like I was constantly checking over my shoulder for fear of being found out if I fibbed! The vendors have a new baby which makes me feel even worse. I know how crap my DH and I would feel if someone did the same to us. We haven't made any definite decisions yet (have until 12 tomorrow to make an offer on 2nd house). Both houses involve some compromises but the ones in the 2nd house are solvable whereas the 1st house's compromises are more difficult to solve, eg second house is all paved garden with no lawn and has a damp shed as the only garden storage - both solvable. First house has a very small dining area and the second and third bedrooms are both small. Not solvable without a significant 2 storey extension which I'm not sure we could afford or get PP for.

But, first house has got loads of beautiful period features and is in a nicer street.

But second house is nearer to my favourite primary school (for the kids we haven't even had yet!)

Argh! Brain melting. I woke up this morning with double vision - so bad I had to cancel a driving lesson I had booked. Sure it's down to stress! (Hoping so actually and nothing more serious Hmm)

OP posts:
Original poster
NanooCov · 15/09/2013 09:53

Yes we're in England (though I'm Scottish so used to both systems).

OP posts:
Crutchlow35 · 15/09/2013 13:36

I presume you are in England where the "system" allows these things to happen. In Scotland the system is much fairer and your word is legally binding; you wouldn't be able to change your mind.
I'm not sure about the Welsh system or any other system but maybe you'd be better telling us where you are.

Yes, you can and yes, people do.

FlatCapAndAWhippet · 15/09/2013 13:48

I personally wouldn't lie to the agent, you never know if and when you'll need them on side again. You have no need to lie, these things are a daily occurrence for an estate agent.

Jan49 · 15/09/2013 15:12

I would just tell the EA as soon as possible. The sooner you pull out, the less painful it is for the seller.

Last year we accepted an offer and the buyer pulled out a week later as he was worried that his dc might not get a place at the school of his choice. It was annoying that he hadn't looked into that first but it was only a week so not too bad.

specialsubject · 15/09/2013 15:22

business transaction and too expensive just to be 'nice'. That's how the English system works.

tell the agent you are looking at another, do it quickly and decide quickly.

Orangeanddemons · 15/09/2013 15:24

I wish our vendors had the same qualms. They pulled out eight weeks down the line

Original poster
NanooCov · 15/09/2013 16:07

It was a week yesterday that we made the offer and they accepted it on the Tuesday. If we're going to make an offer on the 2nd house we have to do so by 12 noon tomorrow and I guess we would know if it was accepted by end of tomorrow or Tuesday at latest so a week from when vendors of first house accepted our offer. We would tell them straight away of course.

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PrimalLass · 15/09/2013 18:25

In Scotland the system is much fairer and your word is legally binding; you wouldn't be able to change your mind.

Unfortunately that isn't really the case. AFAIK people can pull out until the missives are signed, and even sometimes afterwards. My friends lost a lot of money when their buyer pulled out after the missives.

Lemonandrose · 15/09/2013 21:39

We bought the house next door to our original house we had an offer accepted on. If was pretty awkward when we moved in but it really was our dream house. It all worked out in the end. We have never regretted our decision, but in hindsight we would have regretted the original house had we proceeded.

Original poster
NanooCov · 16/09/2013 07:23

Decision made. After loads of debate with DH, we're sticking with house number one. It's a relief just to have made a decision. It's such a huge decision to make (and a lot of money to spend) that I just kept second guessing myself. But i do love the house, the street and the period features. On balance the second house was bigger but the street was nowhere near as nice and a little soul-less in comparison. Feel much happier now and looking forward to moving into our new home.

OP posts:
flow4 · 16/09/2013 07:47

I think you just have to stop looking once you've had an offer accepted, or you risk driving yourself insane!

Original poster
NanooCov · 16/09/2013 07:59

Totally agree flow - will not be going on property websites again! Can't deal with the insanity! Grin

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fortyplus · 16/09/2013 08:06

OP you know what they say - 'LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION' - if you love the street and the period features then you've made the right choice. You haven't even had kids yet - find out where the neighbours' kids go to school. It may be the school you like anyway. Hope you're happy in your new home - assuming you don't get gazumped of course! Wink

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