Frustrated - what can we do?

[Namechanger355]

Hi all

After a year of looking and offering, we had an offer accepted on an ideal family house in our location of choice earlier this year. The seller was selling to buy in London and had found somewhere - and our seller’s seller was looking to move to the country.

We are in a nice rental so were patient after selling our first home. A Few months ago it looked like we could exchange soon. But now the seller’s seller has pulled out altogether unexpectedly (awful)- meaning our seller and we are almost back to square one after quite a few months. Our seller is frustrated and doesn’t want to lose us. We don’t want to lose this house.

But It is a bummer - we need to be set up in the area for school catchments by jan next year and I’ve just found out I’m expecting so we need more space really..

the uncertainty of the seller needing to find somewhere again is really concerning.

seller has said they want to buy and not rent - but can we increase our offer and ask if they can rent or agree a timeline?

we are chain free and have had our mortgage approved. Thanks

To clarify our house is in London

I'd give the seller a short period to find somewhere and tbh keep looking yourselves. You can ask about the seller moving into renting (and they can say no). I would ask, because it will give you an idea about how serious they are in getting on with it, and also makes it clear you won't wait around forever.

Yes of course you can suggest to them that they rent while they look for another property to buy. That would be the answer.

I would reiterate to the sellers how much you love the house and your deadlines around schools / pregnancy. I certainly think it would be good to offer an increase to cover 6 months rent, especially as prices have probably gone up since you first offered so they might get more if they put it back on the open market