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Lost our buyer... New agent?

9 replies

Kittypillar · 06/08/2019 14:55

So, trying to cut a long story short. We put our house on the market about 3 months ago and found a buyer about 7 weeks later (after we'd reduced it because it was overpriced). We hadn't had an awful lot of viewings, probably about 6/7 and had 2 offers.

Anyway, since then we found our dream home (sigh), made an offer about 2 weeks ago, had it accepted...
So we've been ticking along with getting valuations, solicitors bits and bobs sorted and then yesterday we had a bombshell - our buyer is pulling out due to personal reasons. Apparently they were meant to be relocating and aren't anymore. Gutted isn't the word. We've tried to persuade our seller to let us have a grace period of 2 weeks to find a new buyer with our offer still on the table, but they've said no and they're relisting. Absolutely understandable and to be honest 2 weeks was always going to be a massive stretch/unlikely anyway...

Our agents have been pretty pessimistic about our chances of even finding an offer like we did before, let alone quickly. DH has been asking what can be done and what they'd advise us, and they apparently sound massively disinterested. We've had some issues with them previously, where they've been slow to correct errors on the listing, hard to get in touch with, difficult to work with at points etc.

DH now saying we should ditch them and just find a new agent. I'm reluctant, simply because I feel like, with that process possibly taking a little while, our slim chance of finding a buyer to get dream house back is even more unlikely. Do I just need to kiss that dream goodbye and agree to find a new agent?

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StayGoGoStay · 06/08/2019 15:41

Given your circumstances, I would definitely go on with a new agent because I think that actually increases your chances of getting under offer before your sellers do. Refreshed photos, you'll bump up to the top of Rightmove, and the new agent will have more interest/ commitment to getting you sold.

If you feel like sharing the current listing you might get good advice on how to present the house differently this time to get more viewings.

(p.s. I feel your pain. This happened to us twice since March. Like you - all going swimmingly the first time until buyers pulled out three months in. It was a total sucker punch).

Kittypillar · 06/08/2019 16:57

Thank you @StayGoGoStay, that's good advice. I'm so sorry that happened to you also, it's really gutting Sad I've eaten an obscene amount of chocolate so far this week because I've been so down about it! DH seems to have lost the contract we signed with our agents 🤦🏻‍♀️ really hope it turns up soon so we can see where we stand there before we find another agent...

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bluejelly · 06/08/2019 18:08

Sorry to hear. You definitely need to check the contract - you may have to stick with the original agents a bit longer.

lastqueenofscotland · 06/08/2019 18:10

I work in property and know of a few fast sale companies, the fees aren’t cheap though

Kittypillar · 06/08/2019 19:50

Thank you @bluejelly, will definitely need to do that. Pretty grumpy with DH for misplacing the contract we had with them (mind you I am pretty grumpy in general after the news 🤦🏻‍♀️)

@lastqueenofscotland I hadn't yet considered using those - I've only heard bad things if I'm honest! Guessing that would probably be real "last chance saloon" situation for someone?

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Malvinaa81 · 06/08/2019 20:19

I'd change agent- assuming you can do this at once and are not tied in to an unfinished set period with the original agent, who have lost interest, clearly.

And as for all those reasons sellers are given for offers no longer being valid....Pah! Lies most of them.

lastqueenofscotland · 06/08/2019 23:12

You get cash buying companies who id not touch with a barge pole but you also get some that are just agencies that sell very quickly, usually they have investors on the books who they send them too first so they try to avoid advertising. Some are better than others, but the good ones cost serious cash.

Hawkmoth · 06/08/2019 23:34

We did after our buyer changed him mind. Ours had sold the buyer their mortgage and conveyancing and didn't seem to be interested in us. We had a notice period to wait out, then the first viewer with the new agency made an offer and fingers crossed all going well.

Kittypillar · 07/08/2019 15:00

@lastqueenofscotland interested to hear if you have any recommendations? I'm a bit curious, that might be the misery of losing the dream house talking though Confused

We've decided to invite another agent round tomorrow for a valuation. So we'll see what happens! Very nervous about the whole thing really. And also got the get the house in a fit state with my toddler being a monkey today!!

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