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Original poster

Seller wanting to delay to use cheaper movers

65 replies

TroublesomeTownHouse · 04/02/2021 18:13

We are a v short chain. We have cash buyers and our sellers are storing some stuff and renting in a new area. We have all been working for end Jan completion at request of our cash buyers. We all agreed at the start that we would all move asap. Sellers didn't want to move until later in the year but agreed to on the basis we up our offer.

Sellers have been asking for a date for ages and our buyers have consistently said they are not ready so can't give a date. They are now ready and want to exchange for a completion week of 15th Feb.

Our sellers are saying their preferred mover is not available until March 11th. THey have found others but those will cost more (apparently £2k more) so they want us or our buyers to move into temp accommodation until March.

They have not moved for 30 years and cannot accept that we have not been able to give them a date until now.

We are not inclined to move into rented (family of 5 plus dog no thanks) and think they should just get on with it.

If it makes a difference we are paying ££££ so £2k is not likely to be a huge deal to them.

Would you push them to get on with it??

OP posts:
Buntysbosom · 04/02/2021 18:53

Bonkers that they are not prepared to move until the cheaper removal firm has availability.
Why should you / your buyers shell out on rent & pay two lots of movers so they can save a few ££? Confused

I’d tell them to get on with it.

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 04/02/2021 20:41

Thanks @Buntysbosom I thought so too.

They have been pushing for a date for ages but that's not really how it works is it?

They are saying we have sprung it out of the blue but they accepted our offer early November and we told them then we had to move late Jan. I feel like its really the agents job to get them on board.

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Skeeters · 04/02/2021 20:48

That's absolute madness. I've moved so, so so many times. I've never heard any like this before.

Preferred movers my arse! Even pre-covid this would be ridiculous but at the moment it's insanity.

user1471538283 · 04/02/2021 21:32

No they move on the date you've said or you pull out. They expect you to find and pay for somewhere to rent so they can save money? No

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 11:52

So far they are refusing to budge! Just waiting to see if our buyers can wait until March but if not we are committed to moving out because we all agreed to meet their timescale.

It's always so bloody stressful.

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RainingBatsAndFrogs · 05/02/2021 12:02

For the sake of 3 weeks I would either reluctantly accept - or if they really won't budge and you really need to move next week, then offer to split the alleged extra cost with them.

What does the EA say?

Pulling out now would presumably be cutting off your noses to spite your face as you will then have to go through the whole process again with a different house, and pay stamp duty.

It is incredibly stressful.

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 12:11

DH is ready to pull out but that might not be the most sensible.

EA just says they haven't moved for 30 years so they don't know what its like.

We agreed to pay more on the basis that they move quick so I really resent splitting the cost. It is apparently £2k and we are paying over £1m so it feels bloody tight!

Also we and buyers all have kids they are a retired couple with a family property ready for them to move into.

OP posts:
RainingBatsAndFrogs · 05/02/2021 12:22

They are clearly being really unreasonable.

But.... for 3 weeks, starting again, paying for more surveys, and moving months later makes no sense at all!

they are not playing ball. Suppose you tell them that if they don't stick with the original agreement you will reduce the price by the amount you upped it for an early move?

A risk though, because as they are renting they can just say 'OK', let you walk away and move at their extended leisure.

Surely your buyers would rather wait 3 weeks than have the whole thing fall through?

I bet they haven't found a rental. Can the EA assist with that? They often pull stints to keep a sale together.

LolaSmiles · 05/02/2021 12:26

They are being really unreasonable. My gut instinct would be to take off the money paid for the quick move as seemingly they want more money for a quick move that they aren't willing to do.
I'm guessing your higher offer is more than their removal fees.

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 12:27

Just waiting to hear if our buyers can hang on. Either us or them having to do a short-term rental plus storage and 2x moving costs will be way more than £2k though.

If our buyers can stay where they are then we'll all wait until march.

My worry is our sellers actually just aren't ready to move at all!

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SoupDragon · 05/02/2021 12:33

I think I would offer to split the £2k cost on the basis of it being less than what I'd have to fork out if I had to move into rented. I would be pissed off about it though.

WB205020 · 05/02/2021 12:40

If your buyers cant wait until 11th March then i would push the sellers.

That said, if you agreed to pay more for a quicker move and they are delaying then i would raise this. Perhaps make the point that you paid more for this purpose and as a result expect them to keep the the majority timelines. If they come back and say they wont then counter with a reduced offer to allow for the expenses of 2 removal companies for you and storage / short term rental costs etc.

Windinmyhair · 05/02/2021 12:44

I would raise the higher payment to cover moving quickly. If they don’t, then you would happily reduce the offer....

Aiaiaicorona · 05/02/2021 13:08

Say you will go into rented for a reduction in the price that covers moving costs, rent and a small amount of compensation for the stress and they’ll change their minds.

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 13:36

My worry is they will just refuse. I now have a horrible feeling they are reluctant to move.

I've left it with the agents to earn their commission and get a deal done.

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AngelDelightUK · 05/02/2021 13:44

The estate agent and solicitors should be telling them that they can’t hold up the chain like that.

Have they got a rental property to move into?

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 13:48

I believe they are moving into somewhere owned by family while they find a rental so that's not the issue.

They say they feel we've sprung it on them because they've been asking for a date for ages. I feel like its the agents job to get them on board.

Our solicitor is a bit wishy washy and has just forwarded me their solicitors email saying an earlier move is too expensive for his clients.

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chukwe · 05/02/2021 13:55

This what happened to when we moved last year. We moved our completion date from Aug 7 to Aug 14 because my seller booked cheap movers. I was really mad because my buyer may pull out from the chain.

But we ended up completing on the Aug 14th 2020 but not with some sleepless nights.

LOTM · 05/02/2021 14:13

Your sellers are being unreasonable. You offered more on the basis of a Jan completion.. it's slipped to February and you didn't grumble... and now they want to move it again to March.

However it's really only a major problem if you or your cash buyer HAVE to move by mid February (mortgage offer runs out / job relocation etc). Then you get to enjoy the pass-the-parcel game of who's going to move into rental, and whether anyone is going to help compensate.

Your seller will most likely say tough, gambling that you're not going to pull out over a few weeks.

Tough position, you have my sympathies.

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 17:47

SO they have agreed to come forward by 2 weeks BUT we or our buyers will still need and Airbnb for a 2 weeks AND they want us to give them £800.

So tempted to pull put. We've had a few wobbles anyway that we are overpaying and this feels like it might tip us over.

Need to calm down though as there's nothing else to buy and it's all a bit short notice to find a rental.

I think its time for a Wine and to think it through over the weekend.

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NoSquirrels · 05/02/2021 17:57

I think I’d certainly be telling them that they could go hang for the £800. On a sale of over £1m, where you’re worried about overpaying, I might be very tempted to play hardball.

‘Move by x date at the agreed price of £x or we will move ourselves into rented accommodation when our house goes through and pull out of the sale.’

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 05/02/2021 18:00

Can the whole chain not wait until their brought forward date?

Bigwaves · 05/02/2021 18:05

I second Playing hardball. Crazy stupid how they are expecting you pay them Shock. If you’re already having doubts you’re overpaying, think about what happens if you do pull out, are you willing to do that? God moving is so stressful, enjoy your wine tonight Flowers

Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 18:07

@RainingBatsAndFrogs no unfortunately our buyers have to move week of 15th.

Staying with family etc is just so hard at the moment.

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Original poster
TroublesomeTownHouse · 05/02/2021 18:09

@Bigwaves if we pull out we will have to find a rental because we will not lose our sale.

It's hard to be calm and look at the big picture when they are being such feckers.

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