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Paying seller to get out…

28 replies

Adj · 26/10/2022 20:18

Hi Guys,

I’m a first time buyer and my offer was accepted back in June. Still haven’t moved in as the seller is waiting on their sale to progress (at the stage of enquiries).

Getting very impatient as I really want to be in by Christmas, and selfishly want to pay the seller a few thousand to agree on completion date and just leave the property.

has anyone done this? Should I be doing this?

OP posts:
TheHappyLoser · 26/10/2022 20:22

It can be done, just bare in mind that if the seller was to rent their own place (verses moving in with a friend and getting free storage on top) it's likely to cost them a lot more than a few thousand.

Therefore don't be surprised if your offer is turned down.

It means they have to pack up and move twice, plus they might not actually complete in their new home which means they are off the housing ladder. There are so many reasons for them not to want to do this especially as you are not offering much compensation.

Paranoidandroidmarvin · 27/10/2022 06:50

Depends on their circumstances. If they have pets. Renting is hard. Moving twice. Not having anywhere to go. Moving is long and hard. U may just be better off waiting

Griddera · 27/10/2022 07:27

You can definitely raise it as an incentive!

If they move out by X date you'll pay £5k extra, but if not, you don't.

FlashFash · 27/10/2022 07:30

How much are you thinking

For my to consider this I would want removal fees, storage costs and enough to cover how long I'll be in rented for

StillNotWarm · 27/10/2022 07:46

Well, a 6 month minimum rental period plus a set of removal costs as a minimum. Or 2 months in an Air B&B. How much that lot comes to will depend on where you are in the country.
I wouldn't accept your offer.

Haus1234 · 27/10/2022 07:51

As PPs are saying if they aren’t already thinking about renting then a few £k won’t be very convincing. Maybe like £10k would be worth it.

whokilledlizandseb · 27/10/2022 07:57

I wouldn't waste thousands just to be in by Christmas- that's one day !

instantpotnoodle · 27/10/2022 07:58

Our buyers offered us £25k to be moved out by a specific date, regardless of whether we had found anything or not. We did take it but things that your vendor will be factoring in is moving costs x 2, time lost paying down a mortgage, rental upfront costs and stress of finding a rental. We’re probably financially worse off for taking it (just based on rental costs etc etc although overall it worked for us as we sold at top of market but that was sheer luck) You’ll have to make it worth their while and a couple of grand or so won’t be enough.

SellingFairytales · 27/10/2022 08:03

I'd just spend the ten grand on having a really great Christmas wherever you live now!

StillNotWarm · 27/10/2022 08:03

Oh, just a thought. If they are hoping to port a mortgage, they may need to do simultaneous sale and purchase. Loosing a historic fix would cost a lot at the moment.

Sapphiresanddiamonds · 27/10/2022 08:03

I don't think anyone should move out for just a few thousand £, it's too risky for them. If the vendors' house purchase is delayed or falls though, they're stuck either paying rent or staying long term with family or friends.

Wonnle · 27/10/2022 08:08

The seller is waiting on their sale ?
Isn't that the place you are buying then ?

I wouldn't move out of a house I was selling and into a rental in case the place I was buying fell through

RidingMyBike · 27/10/2022 08:22

How much are you going to suggest to them? We went into rental inbetween selling and buying and the cost is £4.5k (moving house), 12 month tenancy (minimum available) £24k, various smaller costs that end up adding up - rental deposit is over £2k so that money is tied up, 2 x mail redirection. So about £30k at least.

If they've got kids or pets it may be impossible as it's incredibly difficult to find a rental close to a particular school and many refuse to take pets.

MillennialFalconer · 27/10/2022 08:27

In a similar situation, but I’m the seller. I wouldn’t accept your offer. I’m porting my mortgage and won’t risk losing the fix or being off the housing ladder if my onward purchase falls through.

SophieIsHereToday · 27/10/2022 08:33

Could they compensate you for your additional rent?

SatinHeart · 27/10/2022 08:48

As pp have said, by all means ask the question, but don't be surprised if the answer is no. We were in your seller's position and out buyers wanted us to break the chain l. It would have cost us at least 10k in extra costs, never mind the inconvenience. We said no, they pulled out,

SatinHeart · 27/10/2022 08:50

Pressed post too soon!

Buyers pulled out, we got new buyers in less than a week who paid more for our house.

Depending on how desirable the house you are buying is, you aren't necessarily in a position of power at the bottom of the chain.

MillennialFalconer · 27/10/2022 09:20

SophieIsHereToday · 27/10/2022 08:33

Could they compensate you for your additional rent?

House sales have been averaging 5 months, so they’re right on track. Asking the sellers to pay her rent is unreasonable IMO. If my buyers suggested this, I’d refer them to the Arkell response.

mdh2020 · 27/10/2022 09:26

when DS bought her house she offered the asking price if the seller was out in 6 weeks. The estate agent then advised the seller that it was the best offer she would ever get so she moved into rental accommodation. Friends were offered an extra £10k to move out in a month and they took it.

Whinge · 27/10/2022 09:30

mdh2020 · 27/10/2022 09:26

when DS bought her house she offered the asking price if the seller was out in 6 weeks. The estate agent then advised the seller that it was the best offer she would ever get so she moved into rental accommodation. Friends were offered an extra £10k to move out in a month and they took it.

I'm guessing your DS didn't buy recently?

Offering the asking price and expecting the seller to be out in the current housing market would certainly raise eyebrows. And many sellers would be unable to sort out a rental that quickly even if offered a cash incentive.

Whinge · 27/10/2022 09:38

out in 6 weeks

Ah for an edit button. Grin

Headabovetheparakeet · 27/10/2022 11:35

Do you have a specific reason for wanting to be in by Christmas? We moved house last December and it was really hard to sort everything out and prep for Christmas. If I could have chosen, I would have moved in mid-Jan.

Lcb123 · 27/10/2022 11:44

You can offer but I would be surprised if they said yes. It's a massive hassle having a gap, in 2 x moving fees, storage, rental deposit if required etc. It's not their fault, searches take ages. Also they'd probably have to change their mortgage if not moving in to the new house as I think you are allowed a gap but only a week or two.

Adj · 27/10/2022 20:04

whokilledlizandseb · 27/10/2022 07:57

I wouldn't waste thousands just to be in by Christmas- that's one day !

This is true, you’re right! Thank you

OP posts:
Adj · 27/10/2022 20:06

SellingFairytales · 27/10/2022 08:03

I'd just spend the ten grand on having a really great Christmas wherever you live now!

You’re right, I think I need to book something to look forward to instead of just impatiently sitting here and waiting on this house sale! Thank you!

OP posts: