Why are the vendors delaying the process?

[Rainydays2]

To keep it short: my offer got accepted (within 2 hours) 6 months ago. I expected a quick exchange - I’m a cash buyer and their house isn’t suitable for mortgage buyers, I’ve offered high because I really want the house. Had a survey done that identified several defects but I didn’t renegotiate because I am/was after a quick completion and this house just works very well for me. The house was vacant when I saw it, and I believe it still is.

I think I’m as good as it can get for them, being a cash buyer who offered above market value and is not fussed about defects, just want to complete on a vacant property.

My solicitors are chasing the necessary documents since 6 months without success. What’s the reasoning of the vendors here? Why would they prefer to leave the property vacant rather than completing? Why wouldn’t they jump on a chance to sell a not-mortgageable house to a cash buyer who is willing to pay above market value?

also, is there any hope that this purchase will still go through, or should I finally say goodbye to my dream house, tell the vendor that I’m pulling out, and start looking again?

Are they waiting for probate?

That’s odd. Can you set them a deadline?

What kind of necessary documents? Could they have already said they don't have Fensa certificates from 15 years ago and either their solicitor or your solicitor hasn't passed that on? Could it be a delay in getting a grant of probate? Or maybe a beneficiary who's suddenly decided they don't want to sell for the price and has kicked up a fuss?

Divorcing couple, one refusing to sign? There's loads of reasons why, but I agree you are a rare perfect buyer, how frustrating for you.
Has your solicitor tried to find out from theirs what on earth is going on? You need to know in order to decide whether or not you pull out. You can't decide til you know what's going on I don't think.

You need to call the agent every day. Every. Single. Day. Demand to know what's happening. Make sure your lawyer responds asap to any queries and you sign everything you need the the minute it arrives. Perhaps the house they're moving to has hit a delay - but you need to know why. If answers aren't forthcoming, give them a deadline by which you'll pull out - and mean it.

Did you actually tell anyone you were looking for a quick completion? And have you asked their estate agent to get them shifting? No one here can second guess what's going on for you

Yes, I guess there is no way of knowing, I think I’m posting out of desperation as well as frustration…I mentioned that I’m after a quick completion and we have put August (2022)as target in the memorandum of sale. My solicitor says that she needs responses to the enquiries she has raised before she can advise on anything. The estate agent says that they are chasing and will let me know as soon as they hear anything…but they are saying this since early August. I’m an introvert and hate putting pressure on anyone, I followed up every 3-4 weeks. My solicitor also said that I could put a deadline but then I should stick to it, and it would be really hard for me to let go of this house. I still hope every day for an email with positive news.

Stop hoping and work out what's going on. Let all parties know you want to move quickly. Get your solicitor to tell you what is outstanding and work out the reasons for this and workarounds if necessary. What is the circumstance of the vendor and how is this impacting? Some things that seem like very simple requests (eg please supply fensa certificates) are not simple for the Vendor if it is a probate sale of a property they don't know much about, that could be miles from where they live and full to the rafters with paperwork they have to dig through to try and locate said certificate.

Unfortunately every 3-4 weeks is not nearly often enough OP. You need to make a complete nuisance of yourself.

Sorry but I sense a problem

as pp say, maybe a divorce, another signatory etc

your so,icitor will say

I agree with @escapingthecity , basically you need to bother them enough so that it becomes easier to do the thing you want them to than deal with you chasing them.
You gave my sympathy, I'd hate to have to do this too, but needs must!

Waiting for probate, or a challenged will, or a split-up dispute between joint owners. A wronged partner delaying sale so the ex can't afford a lovenest with his new amour.

We've just had similar, offer accepted beginning August, we said we would aim to exchange by end November. They said fine, solicitor said fine. Since we had a survey it's been taking over 4 weeks to get straightforward questions replied to. We blamed their crap solicitor (as are most), but felt that they were stalling for time. Lo and behold they have just withdrawn from the sale. So yes they were stalling, or had a better offer, or changed their mind or whatever, I don't care but it is despicable behaviour to stall and lead someone on while keeping them as a backup plan.We could have been buying another property in the last 3 months, nothing new coming to market now it's near Christmas. Hopefully they (and us) will find prices decreasing when they come to market it again.

OP, we've been in the situation where we were cash buyers and our vendor was stalling.

We were told she was chain-free as moving in with family, but after accepting our offer she apparently changed her mind, and was waiting for her purchase to complete (without telling us) before selling.

When we realised, we were furious - our offer had been made on condition of it being a chain-free sale as we were homeless, living with family out of suitcases until the purchase went through. Every extra week was painful!

So I emailed the agent and vendor's solicitor (with our solicitor on copy) saying that we were out of patience and for every additional week the exchange failed to happen, we would knock £1500 off our offer price, to reflect the costs and inconvenience that were being caused to us by the delay.

It lit a fire under them and we exchanged a week later.

The lesson is - make a HUGE fuss and put a cash penalty on their stalling. They'll either tell you they're not selling - which at least means you can move on; or they'll get on with it; or option C you get it at a cheaper price. There's no real downside, especially in this market - you need to know where you stand and why they are messing you around.

Best of luck.