Confirmation searches/survey have been instructed

[Andthenanothercupoftea]

Hello all

We had accepted an offer on our house only for the buyer to pull out on Monday (2 weeks after offer accepted) based on some vague reasons linked to radon gas (see waiting to exchange thread).

They are potentially interested in putting the offer back to us.

I'm reluctant to accept, but I am pregnant, we've applied for our mortgage which now has a clock attached to it and our house is quite niche so there's not exactly a queue out of the door (it was on the market 3 weeks and had 10 viewings before we got an offer).

My question is, is there anything we can ask for in terms of proof of seriousness? For example evidence they have paid disbursements/booked a survey before we accept? They had appointed a solicitor previously, but obviously there's no upfront cost to that unless they paid disbursements.

They are buying the house outright with the proceeds of another sale so didn't have to apply for a MiP. So another option might be to keep it on the market until this sale has exchanged?

I know there is risk right up to our exchange, but they now appear to be very flighty, made easier by the lack of time/money invested.

If the situation had been reversed, I'd be offering a small cash payment to show interest/apologise profusely but I don't think I can ask for that!!

Regardless of what they say I've now got to spend my afternoon off cleaning and tidying ready for further viewings...ugh

Blimey @Andthenanothercupoftea what are they playing at?
Maybe someone has talked some sense into the Re the radon issue?
Although is it more likely they were still looking, bid on another property but lost out?
I'd speak to their estate agent and see if you can get anything out of them.
Ask the vendors for honesty? Nobody pulls out because of radon! Put the thumb screws on!
You could say offer accepted if survey is booked/searches ordered by tomorrow or you'll Re market?
I think getting them to put any £££ upfront to show commitment is an option but quite rare (briefly looked into it)

Ahh, see how your viewings go and bin them off if you get an offer worth taking

I would invite the buyers around and suss them out. Bird in the hand worth two in the Bush and all that...

If you accept their offer say it will stay on the market until they've done their survey. Get more info as to why they pulled out in the first place.
Unfortunately it is the awful system in this country that there are no penalties for pulling out until exchange, no deadlines for getting surveys done and finances in order, nothing. This makes people feel free to make offers without full consideration.