@Kelsoooo thank you!
@FourForYouGlenCoco yes I ought to start sorting through the paperwork for this house. We had new windows, new roof and electrics done so I really ought to prepare the certificates for these for when our future buyer's solicitor asks for them.
@Lemonylemony whatever you do, don't contact the council! If your vendors do agree to get an indemnity policy then you contacting the council will invalidate it.
On our end, it looks like the viewings on Saturday went very well. The EA called me so many times on Friday that on the 6th phone call I told them I would make myself and DD scarce on Saturday and they could fit viewings in as and when they see fit. It then became an impromptu open day, hence the 13 viewings.
We didn't receive a phone call at the end of the day on Saturday so we were none the wiser as to how any of the viewings went. That is until yesterday afternoon. We were restless so we took DD to the park and on our return, we found a couple lingering just off the end of our drive. They didn't say anything to us but we knew they had been looking at the house . We saw several cars park up and people giving the whole house a good looking at. Seems to be that drive bys have become stop bys. We then found a bunch of flowers on our doorstep and a letter posted through letter box. We thought it was the lingering couple but on checking Facebook it looks like it was a different couple altogether that delivered the flowers/letter. This could be outing; the letter mentioned them being one of the 1st viewers and that they offered full asking price and that they are aware of another 2 offers. I hope EA wasn't lying to them. The letter stated their very good position and why their family would be very happy in this house.
Obviously DH and I are shocked by all of this but then I should have expected it. I remember when we saw this house the first time, I too loved it and wanted to buy it. I remember PIL and I knocking at the door and begged hounded the vendors to allow us a viewing. They didn't allow it and but spoke to EA who knew us from previous viewings and recommended them to show us round as we were 'keen buyers'. We viewed later that same day and offered immediately but were declined. It was on for a range which on the following Monday we negotiated until we offered just enough to be accepted and cancelled the open day in a week's time. So I fully understand where this letter is coming from. I was the same. Our area is quite expensive but our house being ex-council with decent sized rooms and on a corner plot, you get a lot more space and land around you for a lower price. I bet if our house was even just 600m away on the non-council end of the estate it would cost £150k more which many of us can’t afford.
Waiting for the EA phone call sometime this morning to give us an update on how the viewings went. We are in two minds whether to mention the letter and flowers or not to EA. Maybe wait for their update and then tell them what we know afterwards.