Still waiting to exchange - what's going on?

[VoteForAlanBstard]

So survey has been done, buyer happy with it. Their solictors have come up with all sorts of crazy questions that our solicitors have answered. They're first time buyers, we're going into rented.

The next step is exchanging and its suddenly gone a bit quiet. We can't start looking at rentals until we've exchanged (as estate agents we've spoken to have all said they won't take a deposit until then). I've been hounding my solicitors for almost a week and on Monday suggested a completion date next month.

The buyers then came back within a few hours to suggest a completion date two months from now (which sounds a bit bonkers to me given how close we are to sorting everything out) and I've said we want to move in May - can they meet us somewhere in the middle of the two dates.

Buyers have then come back to ask for another viewing this weekend to 'measure up'. I've agreed but I'm still asking about an exchange date and it's still quiet. I'm now starting to worry (pessimistic me) that they're going to magically find something wrong with the house (there isn't anything) at the weekend and want to drop the price.

So what do I do? I feel like they hold all the cards at the moment when actually we need to be able to start looking at rentals. The last thing I want is a mad rush to find somewhere anywhere to live because they're dragging their heels. Any thoughts please?

I would be getting on to your solicitor to find out exactly what the delay is. Once exchange has taken place completion should happen within a week or two so why are they wanting to wait a couple of months? Your solicitor needs to chase this up.

I used to work in Conveyancing for 10 years, honestly sometimes it seems like nothing is happening, but behind the scenes there are a lot of people involved in the process.
Is your property freehold or leasehold?
I would ask why they want such a long completion date, it's not unusual for some buyers thinking they need a long time to prepare.
A good point to note is few buyers would pay out for surveys, solicitors fees etc to get all the way to the point of exchange, then pull out. It would be a massive spend for them to then not go ahead, unless there was a major problem.
Try not to worry too much, phone your solicitor tomorrow and ask them to ail the other side to confirm if here are any further outstanding enquiries.
Get your estate agent on the case, remember they are your agent, you pay them and they don't get paid until you complete, make them work for their money x
Good Luck, I am sure it will all fall into place x

Thanks. sweetie the house is freehold.

I've just put together an email for the solictors and will follow it up with a call in the morning. I imagine there is a lot going on behind the scenes but they havn't been the best communicators to be honest.

I'll also ring the estate agents (I also spoke to them on Monday but they weren't all that helpful). I want to get on their books for rentals anyway.

It's frustrating as we were doing well with time until now.

What happens if the buyer refuses to change the completion date to one that suits us better?

With completion dates it is something that has to be agreed before exchange can take place, I would ask them when they come round why they require a long completion date as there could be a genuine reason, ie they could be in rented and have to give two months notice and would not want to be in a position of paying rent and mortgage at the same time.
Your estate agent really should be pushing this through for you, I would keep on them. I used to find that estate agents would 'forget' they are agents for the sellers.
Def email the solicitors, it's a shame they haven't been great in coming back to you as it's such a stressful
time, it could be they just have nothing to update you with at present.
Get them to let you know exactly what they are waiting on, (by email if poss) then, if they confirm they have sent everything to your buyers solicitors and are waiting on them, get back on to agent to chase the buyers solicitors.
I know it feels like you are running round chasing everyone but sometimes this is the only way to push it through, as some solicitors are dealing with 100-200 plus clients at the one time, which makes it difficult to find time to chase anyone.
I always used to say be pushy and polite, it always helps x
Good Luck again, I loved last year for the second time in 2 years and swore I would never do it again (and I had the benefit of my old boss acting for me) still very stressful x

• moved not loved haha x