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Original poster

Home Buyers' Support Thread, Part 4

999 replies

BeaufortBelle · 21/04/2015 20:45

Here we go.

Good luck everybody x

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/2139089-Home-Buyers-Support-Thread-Part-3?pg=40

OP posts:
Stumbleine · 20/05/2015 07:40

Congratulations BeaufortBeau!

Well we finally received documents from our conveyancer yesterday (report, contract etc) and queries have been raised. Only problem is I can't actually open the files! There seems to be some sort of encryption. Have emailed about this. Wonder when/if I'll get a response!

Socy · 20/05/2015 07:55

Congrats Beau! That list sounds scarily long though [buries head in sand and refuses to think about it all]

I've given up on moving next week which is actually a big relief. I am aiming for mid-June, which my buyers are happy with but people I am buying from seem oblivious! Having chased via the EA yesterday I have been told there are a couple of things to sort out on their purchase - exactly what was said on 8th May, so no progress at all in 2 weeks. And this was advertised as having NO FORWARD CHAIN. Which seems to mean precisely nothing in EA speak Hmm.

Original poster
BeaufortBelle · 20/05/2015 08:26

I will do that review. But DH and I chatted until 1am last night. We aren't moving until late June so plenty of time. It's a big move though with stuff from our old house coming out of store too and a 20 year old home from uni in the midst of it

Anyone up for a what to do/trouble shooting thread now the nail biting bit is done!

Our solicitor agreed last night that the whole industry needs to be better regulated. Our solicitor has been fabulous.

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Gowlane8 · 20/05/2015 08:37

Congratulations beaufortbelle I bet you're sooooo relieved!

Our contracts are all ready to exchange, but I can't get any answers from our sellers agent as to what they're doing. It's been 7 weeks, and they still won't answer!!

In the utter depths of despair with it all. Hubby and I don't have much of a time frame to move, and we flatly refuse to move a day before he's due to re join his ship.

Why can't people be straight?

Original poster
BeaufortBelle · 20/05/2015 09:18

Yes it was the lack of straight that drove us mad. It took us 12 weeks to get to exchange though and there were two attempted gazunders in the chain below. We witnessed some shocking behaviour.

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TheEmpressofBlandings · 20/05/2015 11:55

We're considering renegotiating our offer. The house needs at least a months worth of work before we can move in, so that will go over the end of our tenancy - hopefully we can extend it but that of course means we have to pay rent and mortgage at the same time.
I'd guess at the renovations costing between £20-30,000 but still waiting on the builders estimate. We made our offer on te basis of the house not needing anything but cosmetic work.

Am currently avoiding the estate agent as it's not a conversation I really want to have! Not sure how much to reduce by.

Stumbleine · 20/05/2015 14:19

I'm absolutely livid!! I called my conveyancer on 15th April to instruct searches (when mortgage offer came in). I have just called the council and they still have no record of any request!! My conveyancer has I noticed, update their online case tracker showing that they were requested yesterday.

I just don't know what to do now. Would you confront her? Complain to her supervisor?

BG2015 · 20/05/2015 14:36

Stum they are just so annoying aren't they? You could just politley ask why she lied about the searches being done.

I've spoken to my sellers EA this morning and they are astounded at the blokes behaviour and attitude. His ex wife is selling the house, desperate for it to be gone, but he is just basically being awkward and stalling. I really feel for her. He won't asnwer phone calls and only responds to emails when he feels like it. Meanwhile I'm in limbo.

I've emailed my solicitor to see if they can find out what's going on and to put pressure on I've also told them if I don't have a completion date by Friday I want the sale proceeds of my house putting into my bank account. Why should they hold onto my money?

I've also text my seller and told her if something doesn't happen soon I'm pulling out. I've made apts to view 2 houses tomorrow. Neither of which will be any use but I've got to start again sometime.

The only positive thing is that my house is sold and I have hardly any outgoings, I'm chain free and can move whenever.

HoneyDragon · 20/05/2015 18:10

Thanks Thanks Beau Thanks Thanks

Empress, it shouldn't be unpleasant, that's what surveys are for. a house is only ever worth what someone will pay for it.

Spickle · 20/05/2015 19:16

Stumbleine Thing is, searches are not applied for when your mortgage offer comes in. They apply for them when (and only when) they receive the contract papers from the seller's solicitors and work can "officially" begin. My guess is that it has taken all this time to get the forms out to the vendor, completed and returned and then sent to your solicitor and it may be that the vendor didn't instruct their solicitor straight away either or pay the Land Registry fees to get the title documents.

Stumbleine · 20/05/2015 20:25

Thanks Spickle. The seller's solicitor was fully instructed on 25th March though and contract pack was received very soon after. Plus I have spoken to her on a couple of occasions since then and she did not tell me the searches were still outstanding. She actually agreed that she could proceed with them on 15th April.

benjiman6 · 20/05/2015 20:33

please keep fingers and toes crossed that I may be getting somewhere at last. last few questions have been answered today . I transferred money ready this morning so unless there is any last minute glitches [ which I am well aware may happen ] looks like I may be on to exchange and complete FRIDAY. if it doesn't then Tuesday.

Original poster
BeaufortBelle · 20/05/2015 21:20

I've had a quick scan of the thread. Since 21.4.2015 there have been 45 posters participating. Not one has said this has been straightforward, stress free, honest or even a remotely good experience except for the momentary euphoria of receiving an offer or having one accepted.

IUseanyname completed 30.4
Trufflewuffle completed 21.4
The Silvery Pussycate exchanged 23.4
Redmaple leaves exchanged 28.4
Crikeyblimey exchanged 25.4
Crystalskull completed 14.5
BG2015 exchanged and completed almost simultaneously

For everyone in all the various stages of this pile of unregulated unprofessionalism and stress - good luck!

Honeydragon - I hope you are not feeling too stiff Grin

This has been a great and very supportive thread and ought to be what Mnet is all about.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeaufortBelle · 20/05/2015 21:21

Ooh, just seen your post Benjiman. Fingers and toes.

And I forgot to say, I wouldn't have got through the last month without you all Thanks

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Stumbleine · 20/05/2015 21:30

Fingers and toes crossed for you Benjiman!

BG2015 · 20/05/2015 22:04

I exchanged on the 15th and completed on the 18th

HoneyDragon · 20/05/2015 23:14

We've got draft contracts with the soliciter, which is impressive as the numpty bum surveyor still hasn't sent them his report yet Grin

I also have a dastardly EA tale to tell, but I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves before I name and shame on here .

CrystalSkull · 21/05/2015 00:53

"Not one has said this has been straightforward, stress free, honest or even a remotely good experience except for the momentary euphoria of receiving an offer or having one accepted."

Gosh - when you put it like that..! It's depressing. I guess it's a means to an end - and you (almost) forget how dreadful it was after it's all over and done with - but I agree that the whole industry could be so much better.

Gowlane8 · 21/05/2015 05:40

Good luck benjiman

Our sellers have pissed us about for 6 weeks. I have been trying to pin them down for a date for the last 3 weeks, contracts are signed and ready to exchange. The sellers have been in Spain for the last week looking at houses to buy!

They told us from the start they were going to rent, and 6 weeks on I find out they're on a buying trip?!! I mean they said no chain, they said they would rent. They are due to return today, and still haven't found any where. So what do we do? Wait another 6 weeks for their next trip?

I had a real tantrum at the agent last night, as he still couldn't tell us what they're doing. I mean I really, really went off on one. About all their lies.
And in the end I sent the sellers a text saying '' CAN YOU COMPLETE ON THE 11th?''
And they said no!

So today is a relief to be honest. Looking for somewhere to rent, and speaking to our buyers.

Stumbleine · 21/05/2015 06:54

Gowlane that is rubbish!

Well after believing there was no chain, it now turns out there is for us! Am off to see the EA this morning to see if they can shed any light on where our vendor is with her purchase!

BG2015 · 21/05/2015 07:10

It's all so stressful!

Lets hope we all hear something soon!

ScoopyDoo · 21/05/2015 17:10

I have a question. I have a cash buyer for my house who is ready to go. Conveyancing, mortgage etc. on the house I'm buying is all sorted and I'm going in to sign the contract (not exchange) next week. But there are a few above me - the people I'm buying from are almost ready with their purchase, but it's unclear what position the owner of that house is in. They are buying somewhere too but I have no idea how far on they are with it.
If you've followed all that, my question is, who is best placed to tell me? Do I need to chase my solicitor to find out, or my estate agent? Both are being a bit flakey so I'd like to know who to get stern with!

Gowlane8 · 21/05/2015 17:27

scoobydoo Your estate agent is the best bet - make them earn their money! One agent can ask the next what's happening on the one above.

Your solicitor will probably think it's beneath them to communicate in anything other than parchment and feather!!

McDreamyMcNastyMcHottie · 21/05/2015 17:54

Searches paid for on the 10th April. Still waiting for the local search. How difficult can it be?!

Original poster
BeaufortBelle · 21/05/2015 18:23

Not sure about asking the EA. Ours lied about the position of others in the chain. If you ask I'd confirm what they have told you in writing so that you have a record. That was one lesson we learnt and I'm married to a lawyer so you'd think we would have known better. Not property though.

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