Page 17 | Thread 2: "Anyone not being picky - and STILL can't find anything?"

Doubleraspberry · 09/02/2022 10:29

@EmmaH2022 I assume @areyouhavingagiraffe pulled out because she wouldn't have got any planning applications through, so would have been limited if she'd wanted to make changes?

EmmaH2022 · 09/02/2022 10:40

[quote Doubleraspberry]**@EmmaH2022* I assume @areyouhavingagiraffe* pulled out because she wouldn't have got any planning applications through, so would have been limited if she'd wanted to make changes?[/quote]
Yes, I wasn't thinking...my brain is always in flats.

Near to green belt sounds lovely - and the idea of being in a place where isn't constant noisy building work because no one can do it sounds fab!

Starseeking · 09/02/2022 11:47

Thanks @RidingMyBike. I'm actually feeling much better today and accepted the situation as stuff that happens.

@Eastie77Returns I spoke to my EA this morning, and both "my vendor" and their solicitor have gone to ground. Neither are answering calls or emails, and have not responded to any voicemail messages. My EA has also spoken to the onward purchase EA, and my vendor has pulled out of that as well. My vendor must have approached the EA to put the property up for sale in April/May 2021, so to have strung this out for almost a year is abhorrent.

There must be some mental health issues at play here, or perhaps attention seeking in some way, given no family or friends, and my EA also said the vendor did similar with a couple of local agents a few years ago, though neither process got as far as the week before completion before the vendor pulled out.

On a more positive note, I've called all the local EAs to remind them that I'm still looking and ready to go. I've also driven around the local roads in that area this morning making a note of houses I like, and will send a few letters as I'm in a great position, and perhaps I'll get lucky with one of those.

Paddingtonthebear · 09/02/2022 15:11

God that’s horrendous. You must be gutted. What a waste of time and money, the law really needs to change around this process! Hopefully local agents will not entertain that vendor in the future!!

Eastie77Returns · 09/02/2022 15:22

@Starseeking

Thanks *@RidingMyBike*. I'm actually feeling much better today and accepted the situation as stuff that happens.

@Eastie77Returns I spoke to my EA this morning, and both "my vendor" and their solicitor have gone to ground. Neither are answering calls or emails, and have not responded to any voicemail messages. My EA has also spoken to the onward purchase EA, and my vendor has pulled out of that as well. My vendor must have approached the EA to put the property up for sale in April/May 2021, so to have strung this out for almost a year is abhorrent.

There must be some mental health issues at play here, or perhaps attention seeking in some way, given no family or friends, and my EA also said the vendor did similar with a couple of local agents a few years ago, though neither process got as far as the week before completion before the vendor pulled out.

On a more positive note, I've called all the local EAs to remind them that I'm still looking and ready to go. I've also driven around the local roads in that area this morning making a note of houses I like, and will send a few letters as I'm in a great position, and perhaps I'll get lucky with one of those.

So unprofessional of the solicitor to not extend the simple courtesy of responding to an e-mail or call.

I'm glad you have a plan of action and as you say, you're in an ideal position so fingers crossed you will back on your way to purchasing soon.

JV17 I hope the sales memo turns up soon. It's not unusual for it to take a few days but definitely chase if still nothing in the next day or so.

areyouhavingagiraffe · 09/02/2022 17:09

@Doubleraspberry that's right. I probably wouldn't do the work myself but was thinking of resale etc. Essentially there was no potential for loft conversion either (due to very restricted height, only crawling space) and no potential for extension either.
In other news, the house I saw yesterday (the 3 bed basic over priced one), well the EA called me earlier and tried to justify the house asking price. I then said "I know prices have gone us, but I don't believe they have increased £75K+ in four weeks". He then admitted that they wouldn't get an offer in this region and asked me whether I would put a lower offer in....I said no.
Now I am not so sure. It's okay, but I feel like I am offering out of fear. What if prices go up another £100k+ in next two months??? Should I just accept this and offer?! So confused.

areyouhavingagiraffe · 09/02/2022 17:11

@EmmaH2022, the buses stopped at 5pm.....I was a bit concerned about driving everywhere. I sometimes like to go out in the City after work, and am so used to be able to get public transport home. But with this particular property (the Victorian house in green belt) that would not have been possible

dubyalass · 09/02/2022 17:56

I hadn't been considering doing a loft conversion previously but given the paucity of properties in my search area, it feels like I need to think a bit more creatively, and consider smaller houses with the potential to go up into the roof, even if it's just a hobby room rather than a proper bedroom. That said, there's still nothing that would be suitable at the moment. I'm now kicking myself for not going to see a reverse-level place that hung around for ages last year; in hindsight it would have suited me pretty well. Meh.

friendlycat · 09/02/2022 18:36

[quote areyouhavingagiraffe]@Doubleraspberry that's right. I probably wouldn't do the work myself but was thinking of resale etc. Essentially there was no potential for loft conversion either (due to very restricted height, only crawling space) and no potential for extension either.
In other news, the house I saw yesterday (the 3 bed basic over priced one), well the EA called me earlier and tried to justify the house asking price. I then said "I know prices have gone us, but I don't believe they have increased £75K+ in four weeks". He then admitted that they wouldn't get an offer in this region and asked me whether I would put a lower offer in....I said no.
Now I am not so sure. It's okay, but I feel like I am offering out of fear. What if prices go up another £100k+ in next two months??? Should I just accept this and offer?! So confused.[/quote]
Did you like the house - albeit thinking it over priced?
If you could get the house at a lower price can you see it working for you accepting the usual compromises that always come with buying a property?

If you really can't answer any form of yes to the above then you have your answer.

I feel for everyone on this thread. I regularly look at Rightmove (somewhat addicted to it) even though I am not in the market to move at the moment.

I can actually see that houses in some parts of Surrey that I look at are not now flying off the shelves. Some are having price reductions now, they may be modest but I'm seeing it.

I can't predict what is going to happen but the madness of last year will have to end as it can't just continue its upwards trajectory. I can't help but feel that are many not showing their properties at the moment for fear or being dragged into the madness which is not correcting the supply and demand situation. There is still little supply out there.

Paddingtonthebear · 09/02/2022 20:12

We are viewing a house that has a loft room currently being used as a bedroom, but cant be classified as a bedroom so assume it’s not to “regulation”. What do we need to consider here?

EmmaH2022 · 09/02/2022 20:28

[quote areyouhavingagiraffe]@EmmaH2022, the buses stopped at 5pm.....I was a bit concerned about driving everywhere. I sometimes like to go out in the City after work, and am so used to be able to get public transport home. But with this particular property (the Victorian house in green belt) that would not have been possible[/quote]
For some reason I thought you were looking in London

I don't know if this helps, but through work I have heard that London hotels have got a lot cheaper. So if the odd night out is a factor, say once a month, and it makes your house hunt more expensive to be in a place with better public transport, it might be worth looking at the Premier Inn type places for your nights out.

areyouhavingagiraffe · 09/02/2022 20:43

@EmmaH2022, I am looking in East London/ Essex. The place I mentioned without public transport, well I pulled out of that in the Summer. I go out quite often and don't want to be using hotels. Would rather stay in my house

areyouhavingagiraffe · 09/02/2022 20:47

@Paddingtonthebear, my original house I was due to buy fell through because of this, a loft room. EA will tell you it's fine as it is not classified as a bedroom, but it is habitable therefore building regs apply. Search the forum, I won't bang on about it anymore, but needless to say it can become an issue when selling, also lenders may decide not to lend if they know there is not building regs. When the lender does the valuation they assume paperwork is in place and it is up to your Solicitor to flag if needs be.

dubyalass · 10/02/2022 11:30

Viewing tomorrow - not in my ideal location but still walking distance to town/station/friends and bus route etc nearby. House looks like it could suit me really well.

Downsides are having to turn right onto busy road during rush hour, PP for large housing estate (300 homes) at end of road but access would be higher up the main road. But there's also a very large estate planned further up the main road (2500 houses?) and the traffic's already dreadful on that road. House itself is at the end of a cul de sac so noise pollution not an issue.

EmmaH2022 · 10/02/2022 15:39

Good luck dubya

I grew up in a house with that right turn. It sorts itself out. I certainly wouldn't factor it in.

dubyalass · 10/02/2022 16:16

Thanks! I think it will have a lot of interest and of course it's got the dreaded "offers over" price so I will be spending this evening browsing local sold prices to come up with an appropriate figure

DanisEndo · 10/02/2022 16:20

our chain is complete at last! I feel a bit sick with nerves... trying to push now to get exchanged and completed next month, please keep your fingers crossed for us, its been almost 2 years now of trying for this!!

J417 · 10/02/2022 16:34

No sight of the memo of sale yet

The short chain house that I didn't offer on, just completed. wanna to cry
I try to console myself
Please kind words needed

Rational me:

I am FTB and this system is new to me.
In normal time, when a sale fails, you move on and find a new home
I am just caught in this crazy market that prices keep rising
I trusted my vendor wanted to move (EA said her daughter is ill and need to move closer) and that EA said a chain is normal (should have pushed harder and keep closer to them)
I want to be a good person - I didn't want to jump ship to the short-chain property as I had made an offer [in hindsight, when prices are rising, don't need to worry about the vendor]

Crazy/Fear/Worried driven me:

complete failure as not able to buy a house, especially as other houses I have viewed are completed. (cried when I saw the new owner moved in)
lost at least rent (25k) + house prices increase (10%? 70k) - few years of salary
I would never be able to buy in my area if prices keep increasing

J417 · 10/02/2022 16:35

@DanisEndo

our chain is complete at last! I feel a bit sick with nerves... trying to push now to get exchanged and completed next month, please keep your fingers crossed for us, its been almost 2 years now of trying for this!!

Congrats! Hope it will be smooth for you!

EmmaH2022 · 10/02/2022 17:54

J417

I'd always go for the short chain/no chain but that depends a lot on what you are buying and why. If I was going for a big house and garden with a high budget, I expect I would see it differently.

I have seen it said on these threads that people with chains are more invested because everyone needs to move and I can see that too.

I was really lucky not to opt for the better located and prettier flat that was the alternative to where I live now ...that chain collapsed twice and then there was a problem with a water pump to the whole building. I heard about it a year later from the EA.

What's their reasoning on the Sale memo, btw?

J417 · 10/02/2022 18:02

@EmmaH2022

J417

I'd always go for the short chain/no chain but that depends a lot on what you are buying and why. If I was going for a big house and garden with a high budget, I expect I would see it differently.

I have seen it said on these threads that people with chains are more invested because everyone needs to move and I can see that too.

I was really lucky not to opt for the better located and prettier flat that was the alternative to where I live now ...that chain collapsed twice and then there was a problem with a water pump to the whole building. I heard about it a year later from the EA.

What's their reasoning on the Sale memo, btw?

Re: Sale memo - vendor still looking for solicitors and talking to a number of them ..... no idea

Stupid me. Didn't jump ship at around 5-6 weeks after offer
Well, the 2 properties are similar, I just don't know why I didn't jump
I kinda thought need to 'honor' my offer I guess .....

EmmaH2022 · 10/02/2022 18:10

J417 oh I see

It might yet be fine.

I'm the sort of person who had a solicitor ready and so has everyone else when I've done this...but some people aren't like that. So they might just be the sort who are reactive rather than pre planning. I'm sure there was a query on this board with someone saying "when do I need a solicitor" after their offer was accepted...I had to sit on my hands not to reply "yesterday".

Also, in one case I had to go to my second choice solicitor for various reasons...it might yet work out.

If it doesn't, you will still end up in a happy home, I'm sure.

J417 · 10/02/2022 18:49

@EmmaH2022

J417 oh I see

It might yet be fine.

I'm the sort of person who had a solicitor ready and so has everyone else when I've done this...but some people aren't like that. So they might just be the sort who are reactive rather than pre planning. I'm sure there was a query on this board with someone saying "when do I need a solicitor" after their offer was accepted...I had to sit on my hands not to reply "yesterday".

Also, in one case I had to go to my second choice solicitor for various reasons...it might yet work out.

If it doesn't, you will still end up in a happy home, I'm sure.

Thanks @EmmaH2022

My search radius is rather small so

I don't know what processed me at the time to not offer on on short chain/chain free
I guess I just too trusting to the EA that they were actively looking and will have something soon
The question I should ask (in hindsight) is would they move into rental if they have to.

Sadness overwhelm me for being so stupid

Eastie77Returns · 10/02/2022 19:49

My solicitor has asked me to transfer my deposit to their account. However there are still two open enquiries - they are the easiest of the 12 enquires for the vendor to answer so why it is taking so long is anyone’s guess - and no confirmation from the vendors solicitor that an exchange in a couple of weeks is feasible. She has apparently not responded to any emails or calls this week from my solicitor or the EA. Infuriating.

JV17 try not to dwell on what might have been (easier said then done, I know!) and focus on what’s ahead. Annoying that your vendor is taking so long to instruct a solicitor but fingers crossed this is sorted out soon. My vendor had a solicitor who for reasons unknown passed her on to another solicitor (as in a completely different firm) and this caused weeks of delay.

Alrightqueenie · 10/02/2022 20:36

I've been lurking but first time posting, I'm new to the process so following to tips.

Ready to put house on the market, however I'm a bit scared by the speed of how fast the houses are selling. My EA said it shouldn't take too long to sell my house so I'm worried about not finding anything to move to.

My house is an ideal 1st timer house and that's what's selling fast round my way. How long does it take and what should I expect. When I bought as a 1st timer 10 yrs ago, the whole process took 4 months because I didn't have a chain behind me. The vendors where buying a new build so it was a very short chain which won't be ideal for this time round!