Are we being pushy

[ric1982]

Hi,

We had offer accepted on the house about 4 months ago. Apparently no chain (I have been old vendor will be moving into rental / with relative). We are at near stage of completion. Not exchanged yet but should exchanged it by now. Its been week three now since we are ready to exchanged. I have spoken to the EA and said we need to exchange and complete by so and so date.

Vendor keeps saying she is ready to move.

Is this unreasonable ? Are we being too pushy?

Thanks

4 months is a long time and your vendor is dragging their heels. I would be suspicious about their seriousness re being prepared to move into rented. YANBU to push for exchange and prompt completion thereafter.

You need to find out what you're waiting for. If you haven't yet exchanged, then there must be something still outstanding which needs to be sorted. The solicitor is the one who will know, although the EA can probably speak to them on your behalf. Once you know what the "something" is, we can better advise you!

Thanks, There are no outstanding queries or anything. My solicitor is ready for exchange at any day. EA has told us that they are very busy this week but has agree to exchange week after. But I am thinking why not!? how long does it take to go to solicitor's office and sign the contract?! EA didn't said she has any holiday booked or anything. From experience in this sale so far I am thinking there is some other reason why she dont want to exchange this week (and she is not telling us). I feel really stressed and frustrated.

I've seen this on other forums. The more experienced posters advised to give a deadline and prepare to walk away if there's any more stalling. 4 months is too long to wait around. Is she stalling whilst she finds somewhere else to buy so she doesn't have to rent and can save more while waiting for a suitable property to come up? She would be in a stronger bidding position saying she's a cash buyer. Is it possible she is in negative equity and in arrears and a sale is a way of keeping the bank off her back for a while longer?

If you haven't signed the contract yet, it doesn't sound like you are ready. Has your solicitor reported to you, asked for the deposit, asked you to close your HTB Isa (if you have one)?

I have signed the contract and all ready to go!

The other party doesn't even need to sign the contract, they can instruct their solicitor to do it on their behalf. We insist on an email giving authority but that is it.

I had this with my last supposedly chain-free house - was assured the retired vendor would be moving in with her daughter when the house sold, only to be informed on gently pushing for an exchange date that she'd said nothing of the sort and had only just started looking for somewhere to move to. I was in rented, and told the agent I'd be prepared to wait for a limited time for her to make arrangements and after that, she could either pay my rent or I'd pull out. We exchanged about three weeks later.

agent doesn t exchange, solicitor does. Speak to yours and find out what is still to do. Suspect vendor lied, does not want two moves and is buying. You are considered a little person who can be made to wait.

hoidays not a problem unless only one employee. Adults delegate.

And yes they are always 'moving into rental'. I've got two at the moment that I anticipate won't when the time comes . It's very frustrating whether you are acting for the seller or the buyer.