Chink in the chain (useless solicitor)I'm LOSING MY MIND!

[SanityDecreasing]

Hello,

I really am starting to feel I'll with all the stress.

I expecting moving house to be stressful, but this has been on another level!

Bit of background: It has taken us 2 years to get to this stage. We sold almost 7 months ago and had an offer accepted 6 months ago. We are in a chain of 5.

Lockdown hasn't really held things up for us, as everything was done that needed to be done before lockdown, in terms of surveys etc. Paperwork/documents could all be done remotely, obviously.

For the past 2 months, one of the links has been a fair bit further behind than the rest of us and it's transpired that that is because their solicitor is beyond useless.

We are all good to go, but they are still at the raising enquiries stage and each time we think we're good to go, we get told the same thing...."enquires still being dealt with". They are not difficult enquiries and actually, the link who has raised them have said they're not even fussed and would be happy to proceed, unresolved and are apparently furious at their solicitor.

What I don't understand is, if they're not bothered about the enquiries being resolved and are as desperate to move as we are, then why not just pass that on retract? Can you do that?

This is seriously affecting my MH. I feel permanently ill, as I'm not sleeping properly with all the stress and worry.

Just feeling like it's never going to happen and we're completely powerless. I also feel so bad for my DD who doesn't know what's going on. We've always said that it's not official until moving day, but with everything going on right now, it's just adding to all the insecurity and uncertainty.

I've started to apply more pressure with our EA, as advised by our solicitor, but what else can I do?

It's got to the stage where, as much as we like the new house, we have considered pulling out and looking at chain free properties. Our buyer is the beginning of the chain and doesn't appear to be in a huge hurry, but we're terrified of losing them.

We could, in theory, complete in 4-6 weeks on a chain free property and there have been several come to the market that we like, recently.

WWYD? Besides drink your body weight in wine and gin....

*ill

Auto correct does not like that word!

Give one last warning that if not exchanged by X date (I’ve week?), you’re pulling out and going did the chain free property - and do that .

Start negotiations now in the chain free property.

Can you go into rented so you don't lose your buyer?

Thanks for the replies.

I think my last email this morning very much gave the impression that we have run out of patience and we won't be waiting forever. I suppose I need to give an actual cut off date. I suspect our EA will try and talk us out of it, as they have another property in the chain, so they'll no doubt attempt to inject fear, like our buyer won't like it etc, so could pull out, which is obviously worst case scenario for us.

Oh and we were considering renting actually, but then things seemed to temporarily pick up. I think we've been fobbed off for a while now.

Ahh. We had similar in the past where the estate agent had another house in the chain. They weren’t keen really in helping us as so much as trying to keep all commissions. We ended up buying a vacant property to keep our buyer (they were selling to a developer but was time sensitive as they were selling due to divorce) and it was many, many months after we were in Our new home that the the other chain went ahead. Estate agent tried very hard for us not to do this but we would’ve lost our buyer. We’re still in this house 15 years later.

I dont know how true this is but we have just sold our house and our estate agent told us there could be a 12 week delay in the survey. Just something to bear in mind if you do end up buying another! Really hope it isnt the case as we are desperate to get the ball rolling!

@AdoreTheBeach, glad it worked out for you. You must have worried you were taking a risk at the time.

@Cookiedough123, ah, I haven't heard that around here. That would certainly be an issue, as we've all had to get mortgage approval extensions recently and it's only for 12 weeks.

Could you line up somewhere else to go - to rent - fairly quickly, or would you be prepared to? Is there another house you'd happily buy?

TBH your buyers might not like it - or they might really want your house and not want the faff of finding somewhere else. But equally they might pull out themselves anyway if this carries on much longer.

Personally I'd be telling the EA if they want to keep the commission they need to put pressure on - but only issue an ultimatum if you'r prepared to see it through!

I'd definitely be looking at other properties too.
In fact - I would look today and have other options lined up. Because if someone pulls their feet this much it could fall through any time, esp in the current context.