Is this normal practice for buyer

[tottielottie]

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!

[tottielottie]

Thank you I need luck!

So in response to my email I had a manager at the Estate Agents call me. He said the back and forth of enquiries and silly questions is normal. Even when I say no to something and give a reason he thinks it's normal that they ask me what I mean by no 🤨. He said I am fixated on the water bill 🤣. Somewhat patronising!
He said I need to stop listening to friends and family and just my solicitor. I said my solicitor is the most vocal and thinks it's insanity - that shut him up.
He relented when I said about the 7-8 viewings and then tradesmen. He said we hate that as estate agents.

I think he is going to chase everyone on Monday.

I now have the problem that my window needs to be replaced as it can't be repaired, which is the responsibility of the landlord/management. So I have to apply for permission and apparently the leaseholders have to agree. The buyer could do it after she buys it as this is going to take ages probably. I told the EA and he said buyers now have an issue with her mortgage offer running out and she will have to accept it. He doesn't understand why I think she is not a serious buyer as when she speaks to him she is very keen and it is my solicitor that has failed to answer questions.

I think I need wine tonight!

[RidingMyBike]

The EA always blames the solicitors and claims they don't respond. Ours was a bit of a prat for this. As soon as I asked for actual details, dates etc he backed down.

It sounds like he's believed the buyer and more junior EA and isn't aware of the full picture.

[tottielottie]

Yes ridingmybike that's what my solicitor said. He said it's a standard trick.

I asked for dates and times and my EA said I think it was a phone call. I know that is bullshit.

[MoveOnTheCards]

Jeez. I’d have had enough by now and be relisting. Your EA doesn’t seem to be working for you (their client) and your buyer is taking the piss.

Good luck @tottielottie !

[Raindancer411]

I was a legal secretary in conveyancing and the lies the EA use to tell the buyers and sellers about what we had or hasn't done was awful. Plus they never did most of what they were meant to.

[user1471462428]

I would too re-list with another agent. Original asked no price too. I’ve sold twice to first time buyers and never again. I’m literally going to tell the estate agent next time I sell I don’t want them to view it.
The estate agent has vested interest in this buyer and has lost sight of who they should be working for.

[tottielottie]

User1471 - why did you not like selling to your FTB?

[tottielottie]

Hi Everyone,

Update we FINALLY exchanged today!

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to keep me company and tell me about your experiences during a lonely stressful time.

[AnneKipankitoo]

Good !

[Sestriere]

Wow, awesome 👏

[tottielottie]

And then she booked straight in for another viewing 🤣

[RidingMyBike]

Woohoo congratulations!!

Oh wow, another viewing?! What on earth is the reason this time?

[naomi81]

Congratulations 🎉 thought it would go through! X

[tottielottie]

@naomi81 I had a gut feeling it would too! But all the tactics like setting a deadline for her DEFINITELY worked. The only reason it was a little late was last minute boggles with her mortgage!

@RidingMyBike I'm not sure why she wants a visit 2 days before completion! I got a standard viewing email from the EA yesterday. I didn't have the energy to call up and ask why yesterday.

[tottielottie]

Niggles not boggles lol!

[Stomacharmeleon]

Just say no can do.... she will own it soon enough.

[naomi81]

So pleased for you, I would just let estate agents take her round, doesn't waste your time and keeps her happy! 🎉

[SilentHedges]

@tottielottie

And then she booked straight in for another viewing 🤣

Congrats. I would flat refuse any more viewings or requests. You've exchanged. If she wants to pull out now (of course she wont) it will cost her a lot of money. You're in complete control, ignore her now, you have enough of your own stuff to do.

And breathe...

[tottielottie]

Thank you very much!

Oh yes I wasn't going to stop her now she's exchanged. I even got her a new home card lol!

[tottielottie]

@SilentHedges it's funny you say and breathe because that is totally what it feels like! I don't think you realise just how stressed you have been as I have had a sense of calm come over me ever since yesterday.

I think that's why I don't want to burst my bubble by not letting her in! I have to get the last of the furniture out tomorrow. Xx

[Matchinglipsandfingertips]

Let her view with the agent only. Walk a dog or go the shop. You don't need to see her. We never met our seller or spoke to them

[AnneKipankitoo]

Zombie thread

[AlexReventa]

Surveyors are not allowed to damage anything.
They can’t even lift carpet if it’s fitted by gripper strip to the floor. They have to report that the floor was not accessible under fitted carpet.
I was told this by the surveyor who has surveyed 3 properties for me. Moreover, any meter used to test for damp in interior walls has to be used through wallpaper. They can’t lift a corner of wall paper to check.

[Whataretalkingabout]

Congratulations @tottielottie !
If it is any consolation to you, 5 visits doesn't seem too bad !
We sold a big old house in France 2 years ago. Buyers used to be able to require a downpayment of 10%. Sales would almost always go through and in a timely fashion as the buyers were engaged.

Times have changed and it's no longer necessary. Unfortunately sellers no longer have any guarantees. Sales take a minimum of 4 months to complete.
We had 2 buyers fall through after 2 months each because they couldn't get a mortgage. You can't know in advance. The actual buyer took 6 months to close and visited 13 times. ( my dh kept agreeing!) I am not joking.
They even asked for convenience' sake to move in before the sale was complete. Can you believe? You really have to draw the line somewhere because some people have no sense of propriety.

[hdbs17]

I'd tell her to jog on.

We were first-time buyers and although we had work planned, we waited until we were in to get quotes. We only had 2 viewings, the first viewing and a second to measure to make sure our existing furniture fit where we wanted it to or if we needed to change pieces, and also to measure up for curtains and blinds.

I have a feeling that she'll be one to cause you issues after completion.