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Original poster

Is this normal practice for buyer

150 replies

tottielottie · 15/08/2022 13:05

I have had an offer from FTB who has managed to negotiate me down and had multiple viewings about 5 so far to show every one of her family members. I am not practised in buying and selling and feel a bit alone with what is best to do. This delay or multiple visits means my flat has been in for a while.

She also said to the estate agent that me putting the money down means my place isn't worth that much!

A man put a smart meter in put a sign up saying the consumer unit could be changed not urgent and it would cost about £150.

Her level 3 surveyor (who upsells his services) came round and said that the whole place needs rewiring because he didn't notice the pre payment meter had run out of money and saw the sign the smart meter man left.
He also put in the report he tried to rip up my flooring. He also left all my blinds up and cupboard doors open and ripped my wallpaper.

My solicitor has said that her solicitor is being a naughty asking me to pay for things like gas safety tests and more etc and that I should refuse.

Now the estate agent said that she wants another visit this week and getting in a builder, plumber and electrician for quotes. He said this is a good sign.

Is this normal to do before exchange? Also should I be there to supervise this time.

Please help!

OP posts:
Ilovefishcakes201 · 19/08/2022 07:48

Boiler service and maybe an EICR are enough.

If they were serious they would have communicated the need to do the work a long time ago.

But a builder, electrician plumber to quote on a fully refurbished flat?
Something is not right, I suspect they don’t have enough money.

Have they even appointed solicitors and begun their searches yet? I mean to actually payout money to begin the process?

Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 08:02

Yes the searches have been done we are at the enquiries stage.

OP posts:
Ishacoco · 19/08/2022 08:59

The fact that the EA didn't want me there would 100% make me go!!

Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 10:51

So I just met her as I was coming out and I think she thought I was a prospective buyer, as I had the brochure in my hand the estate agent gave me. I just hurried on and she called after me and said it was nice to meet me as the EA must have told her who I was. She seemed to want to reassure me that she just wanted to see what work she wanted to do for when she moved in.

I hope she is legit. EA is calling me when they are out.

OP posts:
Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 11:33

An hour later and they are still in there

OP posts:
Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 11:59

Update.

So I just saw them as they were leaving and caught the Estate agent and quizzed him. He said that she is finding all the stuff she wants to do a little expensive. I said well if she can't afford it I want it back on the market. He said no she does.
He said she wants to complete the second week of September but exchange as soon as my solicitor answers their queries. I thought he had but he has long covid and has been in hospital.

I said what does she want doing. He said wooden floors put in more plug sockets (there a loads new lights in kitchen and bedroom etc. I said well these things are not necessities it's a fully refurbished flat new floors etc. it's up to her what she wants to do but I don't want to be messed around over cosmetic nonsense.

I just don't know what to think.

So after my update what do you think?

OP posts:
ImAvingOops · 19/08/2022 12:11

I think you get in touch with your solicitor and get him to answer her queries asap and then give her a week to get her shit together and exchange. If she can't do that, it goes back on the market. You've been more than accommodating - I don't know anyone who would allow multiple viewings and tradespeople to visit to this extent.
Its shit or get off the pot time!

Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 12:37

Yes that's the first thing I did. My solicitor replied straight away saying he will check in with the other side. He didn't answer directly whether he did or didn't answer but I'm sure he did. I hope he did as I don't want them to point at me saying I'm delaying things!

I'm gonna say exchange straight away. Like you say shit or get off the pot!

I wish I had asked Mumsnet about all this from the get go! But I have to say I am happy with the price she offered.

OP posts:
lamaze1 · 19/08/2022 14:19

"He said that she is finding all the stuff she wants to do a little expensive." Sounds like he is buttering you up for when she puts in another request for a discount.

At this point I'd say that your response to a request for any further negotiation on price will be dealt with by immediately putting the property back on the market together with a bill for damage caused by the surveyor. Also that if she does want to proceed then she needs to exchange immediately.

Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 14:36

Oh I don't think EA will dare lol! I just told him again when he said that, that if she can't afford it, it's back on the market.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 19/08/2022 19:24

tottielottie · 19/08/2022 11:59

Update.

So I just saw them as they were leaving and caught the Estate agent and quizzed him. He said that she is finding all the stuff she wants to do a little expensive. I said well if she can't afford it I want it back on the market. He said no she does.
He said she wants to complete the second week of September but exchange as soon as my solicitor answers their queries. I thought he had but he has long covid and has been in hospital.

I said what does she want doing. He said wooden floors put in more plug sockets (there a loads new lights in kitchen and bedroom etc. I said well these things are not necessities it's a fully refurbished flat new floors etc. it's up to her what she wants to do but I don't want to be messed around over cosmetic nonsense.

I just don't know what to think.

So after my update what do you think?

My daughter is paying this week to get more plug sockets installed, better lighting etc on the flat she bought in May. She would but have dreamt of getting estimates for that sort of stuff before she moved in. But it is possible your buyer is genuine as she wanted to talk to you today. And she has been told you are not going to renegotiate on price. I’m hoping for your sake she is just cheeky with getting the estimates etc before she really has to.

Kennykenkencat · 19/08/2022 19:25

He said that she is finding all the stuff she wants to do a little expensive

Then don’t do it if you can’t afford it.

Also how has what she wants to do with the place and whether or not she can afford it any concern of yours.

Original poster
tottielottie · 19/08/2022 20:52

Yes exactly I'm not really concerned with what she wants to do, Especially as it completely unnecessary to do straight away if you can't afford it.

I'm hoping she is genuine Twiglets.

OP posts:
naomi81 · 20/08/2022 10:15

ImAvingOops · 19/08/2022 12:11

I think you get in touch with your solicitor and get him to answer her queries asap and then give her a week to get her shit together and exchange. If she can't do that, it goes back on the market. You've been more than accommodating - I don't know anyone who would allow multiple viewings and tradespeople to visit to this extent.
Its shit or get off the pot time!

I would do this, give your solicitor, EA and buyer timelines to work too. If they are not adhered too, unless it's you/your solicitors fault, it goes back on the market with immediate effect. I know it's hard but trying to take a step back from it all helps. I managed to exchange contracts yesterday after 6 months of hell. Good luck 🤞

MercurialMonday · 20/08/2022 10:54

I would do this, give your solicitor, EA and buyer timelines to work too. If they are not adhered too, unless it's you/your solicitors fault, it goes back on the market with immediate effect.

I'd second this.

I'd also worry less about going back on the market - just say you had a time waster buyer or a chain fall through and deal with any additional questions as they arise. I don't know what the house market like were you are but there does seem to be some slow down and price decreases where we are - so I'd be reluctant to hand around waiting indefinitely.

Wonnle · 20/08/2022 12:34

What she wants to do to the flat after she's bought it is totally irrelevant to you as a seller . Either she want's to buy it at the price you accepted or she doesn't .

I would not have let these tradesmen in at all , and also I would have told your EA to relist the property due to being messed around

Original poster
tottielottie · 23/08/2022 11:59

I agree MercuriaMonday thanks.

I have had an email from my solicitor saying that This is all of the enquiries they have raised – the ball is now squarely in the buyer’s court once more.

Could someone help me word how I give timelines to Solicitor, EA and buyer please?

OP posts:
Ishacoco · 23/08/2022 13:36

"Thank you for the information. Given how long this has been going on, I'm going to need a firm answer in the next 24hrs/3 days/5 days/whatever and if this doesn't happen then I'll be putting the property straight back onto the market.

Many thanks."

naomi81 · 23/08/2022 15:32

tottielottie · 23/08/2022 11:59

I agree MercuriaMonday thanks.

I have had an email from my solicitor saying that This is all of the enquiries they have raised – the ball is now squarely in the buyer’s court once more.

Could someone help me word how I give timelines to Solicitor, EA and buyer please?

Dear solicitor,

Now all the enquiries have been completed I can see no reason why contracts can not be exchange.

Please could we aim to have them completed by the end of this week (take it you've signed the contract/tp1 document/ is there a management company involved, if so all that competed?) if not please can you let me know on Friday why this can not take place.
With a completion date of xx September as per buyers request.

Kind regards xxxx

Also copy estate agent in so they are aware of the dates you are working too.

naomi81 · 23/08/2022 15:35

If not exchanged on Friday, tell your EA if contacts are not exchanged by Friday 2nd September you want the flat back on the market and to let the buyer know also. End off.

Original poster
tottielottie · 23/08/2022 16:00

Thank you so much for this Naomi. I'm glad you finally have relief after 6 month yikes.

Does it mean I would have to pay my solicitor twice if I put it back on the market?

OP posts:
naomi81 · 23/08/2022 17:59

tottielottie · 23/08/2022 16:00

Thank you so much for this Naomi. I'm glad you finally have relief after 6 month yikes.

Does it mean I would have to pay my solicitor twice if I put it back on the market?

I would double check with solicitor would imagine you would have to pay something extra.

However if your buyer has come this far I think it will happen, just keep checking with your estate agent as to what's happening, as EA has your solicitors details also.

Thanks it's been hard work but for finally there but found out our new house won't be ready till end of November earliest so everything going into storage 😬

Original poster
tottielottie · 24/08/2022 11:41

So now my solicitor has told me that buyer's solicitor is ignoring him. He has asked me to ask the estate agent to chase and move the transaction forward.

OP posts:
Kennykenkencat · 24/08/2022 11:49

I think this sale has fallen through.

I would be asking the EA to put it back on the market.

Either that or FTB is playing silly buggers.

ImAvingOops · 24/08/2022 13:17

I'd get estate agent to tell her she has until close of business tomorrow to sort out exchange or it goes back on the market on Friday.