WWYD - Seller suddenly tells us he's in a chain

[PurplePansy05]

Hi All. I've posted for advice on a separate property related issue before and received some helpful suggestions so hoping for a bit of MN wisdom again 🙏

Our seller told us he's not in a chain, completed TA6 to confirm his onward purchase was not dependant on the sale of his current property (to us).

We are ready to proceed and so is the entire chain. The seller is elderly and his son has a POA (just for info). The seller was supposed to be moving in with his son for some time before moving to his new supported accommodation. Today the seller's son tells us via solicitors that they won't be discussing any dates until their onward purchase is sorted.

No timeframe for their purchase provided.
The whole chain is held back by this.
We might miss out on the land tax reduction if they don't get a move on.
I'm pregnant (due this summer) and the house we're buying needs to be fully modernised before the baby arrives. Our builder says 3 months of work, plus we will need new furnishings after etc. Lots of work.

In reality, we can't really wait longer with completion than early March. I am also concerned that the seller will keep stringing us along, we will have exchange the day before completion (for covid reasons and also because the seller is v elderly and a sole owner, we don't want to risk him passing in between). That's already been discussed and we're following our solicitor's advice. I am worried if this is one of those guys that will call us 5 mins beford exchange to say there have been unexpected delays or some other BS.

They've been delaying responses to simple enquiries for 2 months.
It seems they have lied re the chain or at least have not updated us about the change in their position.
Now they're being difficult about completing the deal.

WWYD? Pull out completely? Give them a deadline? Start looking for a different property?

Any advice will be much appreciated.

I hate moving as it's so stressful! Whats your plan though if your baby comes early? My dd was 3 weeks early........

Oh we have at least 3 months worth of renovations to do plus ordering stuff in beforehand of course! I'll still have few weeks to settle in and prepare stuff for the baby before my due date if we complete in Feb. However, if it's later we would indeed move to a slightly dangerous territory getting close to my due date which I'm trying to avoid 😊

In a similar situation. My buyer was pushing to complete before end of March (stamp duty) and there was plenty of time. Until my vendor, who had previously said that they can break the chain, said they cannot do that anymore and due to shielding and elderly age have not even started looking 6 weeks after my offer accepted making my chain collapse.
I've been looking for alternative property though more likely won't find anything suitable until my original vendors ready to move and so losing my buyer in the effect. Feeling sorry for everyone in the chain including myself.

Can you not stay where you are until after your baby is born? This all sounds so stressful and if builder says three months of work you can bet your bottom dollar it will take longer. It's not worth putting your health at risk to save a few £££ on stamp duty!

Personally I'd pull out as you can't trust this vendor (or his son rather) not to give you more hassle before you exchange. There is always another house.

It's not worth putting your health at risk to save a few £££ on stamp duty

Ahmm, that's not what we're doing at all, but thanks for your input. And it's not our first renovation with our builder, we are absolutely fine with him and his estimates, but thanks anyway.

@Oreo2020 I feel for you, I'm aware in few days'/weeks' time we might be in the same position. We have a lovely buyer too and I'd be truly gutted if it all went to pot, but if it isn't right, it isn't right. These transactions cannot be one sided, all parties need to be able to negotiate and compromise where reasonable.
I'm trying no to be overly worried about this tbh, ultimately if they can't respect our personal circumstances then we might not want to deal with them at all. They do say that there's always another house that will come up on the market, I hope that's true for you and for me too if it comes to this! 😊

Just a quick update for all of you who have helped me with their advice - we've agreed to complete by the end of this month 😊 Hopefully things will be ok, if not I might return and ask for more wisdom! But let's hope there will be no further issues. Thanks again, all!

Best of luck @PurplePansy05!!

Ah that's good news! Fingers crossed all goes to plan OP.

Fingers crossed for you.
I'd still keep an eye out for other properties on Rightmove. Otherwise you could be a month down the line and still no closer to moving if the vendor you're waiting for continues their flakey behaviour.

From my experience if the seller is being an arse it doesn't end well. I really wish I had pulled the plug really early on when he expected money to keep it off the market.

You've told him a deadline but i would consider finding somewhere else or renting for a year

Quick update, we've just exchanged, as agreed 😊 All systems go tomorrow, the completion day is finally here!

Brilliant. I like a happy ending.

Congratulations!

Thank you all! Pleased to report we've completed, we're in, although not without hiccups - we didn't get the keys till the eve and the seller left the house uncleaned and with some furniture that wasn't meant to be here. Supposedly he was cleaning and packing with his family "all week" Not fun when you're pregnant I must say, but anyway, we're in and the renovation will be starting soon hopefully. Thanks for the good advice! xx

Congratulations