What would you do?

[sanityisamyth]

Put house on market on 10th March. Several viewings that week. Had offer at full asking price 15th March. Said he was a cash buyer and wanted to be completing by 29th March. I knew this was totally impossible (2 weeks!) but estate agent said he was very keen and was in rented accommodation so there was no chain.

Survey done on 16th April. All came back fine except for slight damp (old cottage and was pouring with rain). He asked me (directly by text) to stain and paint house. I said no, as it had recently been done and I'm a single mum.

He has sent me several messages directly (not via solicitor).

He only asked for searches to be done late May. He asked me some queries that should have gone directly to his solicitor. I tried to answer them as best as I could. Essentially everything came back clear.

He sent me a very unexpected message on Tuesday reducing his offer by £7.5k to £122,500. This didn't go between solicitors so it's not "official". My solicitor said he doesn't have legitimate reason to drop offer.

Which offer still stands?

My solicitor hasn't heard anything for ages. My estate agent can't contact him. He's not responding to my messages.

He keeps pushing back dates to exchange and complete and there's been no deposit paid.

What would you do? It's been 13 weeks already for a no-chain sale.

@Hotterthanahotthing that sounds really stressful. Glad it all worked out in the end.

My buyer has tried to cut out his solicitor as much as possible by asking me all sorts of questions directly about deeds, results of searches and surveys etc. As soon as I'm pushing him for some commitment it's radio silence. Bloody infuriating.

By the way Sanity, I really wouldn’t communicate directly with him- neither of you are convayancing solicitors and there’s so much room for incredibly expensive miscommunication. All of it should be through the solicitors, it’s a big red flag he’s tried to bypass them.
You’re much better off looking for a new legit buyer (I know it’s depressing when you thought you had found your buyer, but you could be there for months before you eventually get fed up with this guy)

@Cyberworrier sounds like a good plan. I wasn't comfortable with him communicating directly with me. It started off fine, asking general questions like "has the surveyor turned up yet?" but then they got MUCH more technical. All of the questions (and my responses) I put back to my solicitor so at least she has a record of what's been said, and when etc.

He has no intention of buying sadly and could have found somewhere else, hence the 'stalling'. You really don't owe him anything- put it back on the market straight away before you start to incur more solicitors costs.

Thanks @Lightsabre still no news from buyer. I messaged my estate agent this morning to get it put back on the market. She told me she's on holiday for the week!! Driving me mad!!

I agree you should put it back on the market.

What do you mean she is on holiday? Surely there are more than one of them in the firm? Tell her to get someone else to! This is unreal.

Your buyer has given you his answer. He has been given the ultimatum & responded negatively so you have your answer. He is not buying the house. Get the house back on the market immediately. Your EA, or one of their colleagues should be able to do this instantly. If they are fobbing you off, your best bet is to give them their notice, cut your losses & remarket elsewhere!

Buyer has now officially pulled out. I'm totally fucked. And fucked off!!! Have told estate agent, and her company that I want it back on the market by tomorrow morning.

Ah sorry Sanity what a pain- but you’re not fucked because the buyer was a time waster and it’s good he’s out of the picture. Good luck relisting. I think it’s worth maybe changing the cover image for online listings and if they haven’t put it on rightmove etc, ask them to. Renewed, reenergised effort.

Thanks @Cyberworrier fingers very crossed. At least I know where I stand now. I'll hopefully have lots of conversations with the estate agents tomorrow and get it listed ASAP.

@sanityisamyth
Hows it going??

I am all set my side, now waiting for sellers, seller to get probate back, as they only applied a month after he put in and they accepted his offer.

Im having to rent for another month, not happy!!

@Greenkit he pulled out officially last week. Took him 13 weeks and a lot of dicking about to finally let me know.

It went back on the market on Tuesday and had a viewing on Saturday. They are coming for a second view (with the GF) this evening so I'm thinking that's positive?

I've got another agent seeing it today, and another tomorrow, with a view to auctioning the house ASAP as I need the money in my bank by end of August.

Life is very stressful right now :(

@Greenkit I hope your house goes through ok. Renting for another month might be a small price to pay than having to start over again though x

@sanityisamyth
It is totally the most stressful thing I have had to do. Usually with my husband, but we split in Sept last year, so doing it on my own.

I have the added stress of my friend/landlady getting a bit picky about things, so have to find a new place for the last few weeks while im waiting.

Your new viewers sound positive, I hope they love it and put in an offer xx

@Greenkit doing it solo really sucks. Been a single mum for 4.5 years now. Been trying to sell the house on and off all that time.

Hopefully you find somewhere to stay whilst it's all getting finalised. I'm house sitting/staying with friends whilst in limbo too. Something good will turn up x

Fingers crossed for us both

@Greenkit 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

@sanityisamyth

How did the viewings go?

Im still waiting for probate, however I have found another room to rent for a month...

@Greenkit that's good news. At least you have somewhere to live :)

Viewings went well but I've taken it down with Purple bricks and going down the online auction route with another estate agent as have got a deadline to get it completed.

Fingers crossed I get some bids on it!!!

House went live last night with another estate agent. It's for online auction. Got a viewing today, two on Friday and an open house organised for Saturday. Fingers very crossed that they put some decent bids in.

At least I won't be taking it off the market at the first sniff of a decent offer for them to mess me about for 3 months!!

@sanityisamyth

Can you post a link

North Street, Wellington
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72651496.html

I like that, wish it was in bristol

🤣🤣🤣

@sanityisamyth

Finally have probate back for sellers house he is buying, so told my solicitor I want to sign, exchange and move next Friday

What about you?