Buyers/Sellers Exchange waiting room

[spidershavetoomanyknees]

Currently waiting for exchange, stuck in a never-ending loop of "there's been a couple more enquiries higher up the chain" and "we're nearly there now". Wondering if there's anyone else who would like to join me here in the waiting room of doom to vent into the void.

Next train for Exchange (line terminates at Completion) is currently delayed and they'd like to apologise for the delay.

Our EA for my dad's house has suggested giving the buyers an ultimatum as they're not forthcoming with anything. It should be the easiest sale in history, yet they're dragging their feet (1st time buyers). They've had the survey etc done soo don't know what the hold up is. My sister and I don't want the sale to fall through, but I have a feeling it's going to

The buyer's parents (my dad's house) have asked to meet with the EA at the house to discuss the survey. It doesn't sound good that, does it. 😩 I'm so fed up with this now, why can't they just get on and buy it?!

Sounds like they are gearing up for a discount

Why should they if there is a big problem? Would you?

@TFMinx Apologies, I posted that in haste and it was rude. Sorry.

@safey it does doesn't it. Although they've already got it for 10k off asking, so I'd be inclined to follow the EA and solicitor's advice and remarket; this should be the quickest sale in history - empty house and first time buyers.
@Dinkler thanks for the apology, I'm just extremely frustrated that I seem to be the one chasing everyone, including our own solicitor, to actually get anything done. The added trauma of it being our family home being sold is not helping. I know I'd walk away if it was something major, but I'd quite like them to just pay up and move in so I can put the whole awful experience of my parents' passing behind me and begin to move on.

We had the house prepped and the bloody surveyor didn't turn up. Agents chased them and were told 'Oops. The surveyor was sick. You need to rebook it'. No apology. Now we have to go through the anxiety later in the week.

Added to that, our surveyor has been chasing our vendors agents for access and has been getting radio silence.

@TFMinx You have my sympathy. My brother and I had to sell my mum's house and it was very emotional. We had a few problems and had to knock a substantial amount off the asking price (Estate agent had overpriced and then it turned out there were a lot of building works needed), but we got there in the end.
Don't over estimate how difficult it is to hand those keys over - you'll need a hug and a stiff drink that evening, but it will all be okay. (I kept reminding myself how lovely it was that a new family were going to love that house and bring up their children in such a wonderful place)

@thoughtsofmoog3 thank you. I've mentally let go of the house, and was thrilled it was a young family who'd bought it, but now I'm just getting more frustrated and anxious it's going to all fall through. It's already going for a very cheap price, so we can't really let it go for any less.

@TFMinx Yes, fair enough. If it helps, we had a load of sudden questions at the end, but it was nothing of consequence and we had already addressed it in the original reduction, so we sort of went for the 'take it or leave it' approach (and quietly rocked in a corner!) and they decided to go with it (we conceded on a sooner completion that was an inconvenient date for us and leaving some garden/house stuff)

@thoughtsofmoog3 they could move in tomorrow for me as it's all been emptied already. Hoping against hope they're just trying it on.

@TFMinx argh, what a pain. Hope it’s resolved soon.

No real update here. we’re just waiting for searches to come back and then we’ll be ready to start talking exchange dates! Our vendor is off to measure up at the house they’re buying so they can confirm the f&f list for the house they’re buying, but seems like the vendor of that house is on perpetual holiday. And they’re the ones wanting to get moved quickly. Annoying but not a real issue.

This is such a frustrating process. We're a year into the process of selling two houses to buy one bungalow, so this is our second go around this roundabout (both times with a FTB thankfully) but more complicated this time with an onward purchase.

I'm waiting to hear if my buyers solicitor has any further enquiries or can we move onto setting a date to exchange. My buyer has to give notice to their landlord on a set day in a month, we won't make that date this month, so we need to exchange in time for them to give notice in June, so we can all move in July, or it'll be another month.

Our buyer is still playing up massively. I'm starting think they're having second thoughts as they're not the most truthful people. It still feels like our Estate Agents have not got our backs. We are going to have to pay them a fortune when this is all done and they really don't deserve it.

So apparently my buyers solicitor has received my responses to the enquiries and is waiting for the local searches to see if there are any further enquiries. Does that sound like the solicitor was satisfied with my answers so far?

The EA has just emailed me. They want £20k off the price! All the stuff flagged up on the survey says check, not actually a problem being flagged. £20k is an absolute no; if we have to remarket then we will. The cheek of it. Can anyone tell I'm annoyed?

Just got enquiries raised for the following,

Radon Gas
The location of the Property is in a Radon Affected Area.

Section 106 Agreement
The property is subject to a Section 106 Agreement. This is an agreement made between the Developer and the Council and is made pursuant to the planning permission for the development. This agreement sets out the obligations imposed on the developer has to comply with, for example that as percentage of the development is to be affordable

Community Infrastructure Levy
The search indicates that the Property is subject to a Community Infrastructure Levy (the levy).

Any suggestions?

I don't understand how the S106 or CIL would have any impact on your sale, how long ago was the property built? Is the development it's on complete?

@BungalowBuyer This property was built in 2009, not sure why these were flagged by the solicitors and awaiting revert from the seller's solicitors.

The developers obligation should have been met long ago, usually when a percentage of houses are built/occupied, and I can't see why they'd be your issue.

Afternoon all - FTB here. Seller’s solicitors have said FENSA is not available for a door which was put in recently. Is this something to be concerned about? I’ve searched online and can’t see the cert available to order - there are certs for windows installed a few years back but not this door

Was it put in at the time of other building works by any chance? If so it will be covered by the building regulation certificate. Speak to your solicitors - they may be able to set up an indemnity policy to cover it if not.

Its a very minor point in my opinion, unless it's a bifold or a custom made door.

@TFMinx - if it helps, my solicitor suggested I ask for a sizeable reduction (half of that though) for items from the survey.

I ended up settling (very happily) for the seller to sort out a genuine problem with the chimney stack that was stopping me getting building insurance. There had already been an initial price reduction and everyone was looking at worse case scenarios, so I backed down.

Perhaps a polite note - Although I appreciate your concerns, I feel the cost of any work needed has already been addressed with the purchase price agreed, and cannot reduce this any further. Hopefully you still want to proceed, but if not, please could you let me know as soon as possible so I can put the house back on the market.

@thoughtsofmoog3 thanks for your reply. The EA got in touch with the buyer and recommended they sure the survey report or it goes back on the market. They've shared it with us. There are a few "reds" but reading it, it's all those which a surveyor is not qualified to inspect (gas/electric). He's agreed with the sale price as being in the middle of his recommended range and has also said that the points raised are to be expected in a house of its age.
I'm going to speak with EA tomorrow and decide a course of action; she agrees that £20k reduction is insane.