Property taken off market by buyer - can I make an offer direct?

[scortja]

About a month ago I was vaguely interested in a property but assumed my husband wouldn't be interested so forgot about it..

It turn out he is very interested but in the meantime the owner has taken it off the market. Is it the done thing to try to contact the owner directly?

I asked the estate agent but they were pretty vague - it hadn't sold, they didn't know why, perhaps the owner was doing some work.

I was thinking of writing a letter (to the address of the property) and seeing if I could make contact that way.. Is this the done thing? I don't want to step on anyones toes, embarrass anyone etc.. (I'm not from the UK!)

I'd pop a note through the door with your contact details saying you noticed the property was for sale recently and would be keen should it become available again.

It may just not have sold, not have been a good time for the seller or they may have sold it privately. It's always worth a try.

My parents live in a nice house in a desirable area and often get notes with details in case of sale. It's no hassle to them.

You might have to negotiate a price.

When i sold my flat the contract required me to pay a fee to the agent if I sold privately within a period of time after ending contract.

you'll never know if you don't ask!

I will ask - you've convinced me it's not a shockingly bold action!

And that is useful gallicgirl - I'm sure the owner and I could work around it if there was a clause in the contract..

Yes, if I really loved the house it would definitely be worth a try.

Be prepared for the Vendor to have changed their mind about selling up though.

Good luck!

No harm asking. Bear in mind that they will still be liable for EA fees though - their contract will have specified an amount of time for which this applies (I think ours said 2 years!)

Or as Santa said, maybe they took it off the market because they don't want to move any more. Good luck though - you never know!