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Original poster

Buyer dragging their feet.. help?!

112 replies

llihl13 · 04/03/2023 10:48

Hi everyone, I could really do with some advice here as I’m starting to pull my hair out and I’m not sure if I’m worrying unnecessarily (it could be my crazy hormones this month.)

I accepted an offer on my house last Wednesday from a cash buyer. From the beginning they have been notoriously bad at answering the phone when the agent has tried to call, whether that was when booking viewings, talking about offers etc.

Anyway, offer accepted Wednesday and the agent still hadn’t heard anything from them by Friday about solicitor details. Finally they got back to the agent end of the day Friday with their solicitor details. Memorandum of sale got sent out Tuesday.

Had a call from the new build developer I’m buying from on Thursday to say they’d called buyers solicitor and the solicitor said the buyer had not yet instructed them. Since then, the agent has tried to contact the buyer to get an update and they haven’t answered any of their calls. I called agent this morning and they said they will keep trying and to give it a few days as sometimes people just don’t have that sense of urgency (even though they know we are needing to exchange within 4 weeks).

Am I right to be worried here? Granted they have been slow at communication from the beginning, but it isn’t giving me much hope that they are serious. What should I do moving forwards?

OP posts:
pilates · 04/03/2023 10:52

The stress of buying a new build. From what you have described it doesn’t seem overly delayed, pretty normal really. It probably feels like it to you because on your purchase you’re on a strict time limit.

pigwood · 04/03/2023 10:54

Keep your house on the market until they have started the ball rolling. It sounds like they are messing you around and if they are genuine and see or are told you've put it back on the market then you will soon see if they pull their fingers out their arses and instruct a solicitor etc
Drives you fucking mad doesn't it ( just been through a purchase that took nine months because of our sellers doing the same to us )

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 10:57

pilates · 04/03/2023 10:52

The stress of buying a new build. From what you have described it doesn’t seem overly delayed, pretty normal really. It probably feels like it to you because on your purchase you’re on a strict time limit.

And there was me thinking that buying a new build was the less stressful option! I don’t think I’d be as worried if they’d at least called back to update the agent that they’re still interested. Not sure how much longer I can sit back without any communication :(

OP posts:
Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 10:59

pigwood · 04/03/2023 10:54

Keep your house on the market until they have started the ball rolling. It sounds like they are messing you around and if they are genuine and see or are told you've put it back on the market then you will soon see if they pull their fingers out their arses and instruct a solicitor etc
Drives you fucking mad doesn't it ( just been through a purchase that took nine months because of our sellers doing the same to us )

I called the agent this morning and suggested this and she said for now to wait. I think by early/mid next week if we haven’t heard I will ask them to put it back up in the hope it gives the buyers a poke up the rear.

Sorry to hear you’ve had slow buyers too! Can you remember how long it took them to get the ball rolling? I thought instructing a solicitor was something you do within a day or so!

OP posts:
WinterMusings · 04/03/2023 10:59

Some people just don't have any sense of urgency.

it's hard to know if he's just like that (I know lots of people who are) or whether he's not that fussed/is going to take you to the wire then pull out/reduce his offer....

I would put it back on the market & hope to get a new buyer/push him into sorting his shit out!

It doesn't actually sound that slow, but the lack of communication would bother me.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 11:10

WinterMusings · 04/03/2023 10:59

Some people just don't have any sense of urgency.

it's hard to know if he's just like that (I know lots of people who are) or whether he's not that fussed/is going to take you to the wire then pull out/reduce his offer....

I would put it back on the market & hope to get a new buyer/push him into sorting his shit out!

It doesn't actually sound that slow, but the lack of communication would bother me.

Yeah I think that’s what is bugging me, not knowing why he’s being slow. Just an update to say he’s still interested would be nice. Will definitely consider putting it back on the market next week.

I did wonder whether taking this long to engage with his solicitor is that slow or not. Trying to remain positive that this could be normal but the lack of comms is also concerning me. I have his email as I saw it on one of the agents emails but I think it’s frowned upon to contact them directly?

OP posts:
dreamersdown · 04/03/2023 11:13

It isn’t your agents decision whether to put it back on the market or not!

GiltEdges · 04/03/2023 11:18

Exchange in 4 weeks is going to be nigh on impossible, has your estate agent/solicitor not advised you of this?

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 11:21

dreamersdown · 04/03/2023 11:13

It isn’t your agents decision whether to put it back on the market or not!

Good point, I think I will just have to be firm with them next week!

OP posts:
Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 11:21

GiltEdges · 04/03/2023 11:18

Exchange in 4 weeks is going to be nigh on impossible, has your estate agent/solicitor not advised you of this?

My solicitor did say it wouldn’t happen in 4 weeks, but I think if the sale is progressing the developer doesn’t mind too much if it goes over. But if the buyer isn’t doing anything at all (like mine) I think it’s more of an issue :/

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Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 11:28

Also to add, the buyer has booked another viewing in next weekend. I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing if they haven’t instructed solicitors, but I guess it must mean they are still interested in some respect if they want to see it again. Not that we’ve heard from them since they booked it in last Friday…

OP posts:
loobylou10 · 04/03/2023 12:05

Don't wait til next week - back on the market today. Your decision, not the agents!!

GrumpyPanda · 04/03/2023 12:10

Second viewing now sounds like they're still making up their mind/possibly getting cold feet. Definitely back on market.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:10

loobylou10 · 04/03/2023 12:05

Don't wait til next week - back on the market today. Your decision, not the agents!!

My only concern is if the buyers are serious and just taking their time, it will pee them off that we’ve put it back on the market already. We didn’t have much other interest so to lose them from being impatient could put us in more trouble 🤔

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Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:11

GrumpyPanda · 04/03/2023 12:10

Second viewing now sounds like they're still making up their mind/possibly getting cold feet. Definitely back on market.

Yeah I did wonder this… they said it was to “make sure their furniture fit” but I’m not so sure. But if they are having second thoughts, why are they waiting over a week to come back and view again?!

OP posts:
sjxoxo · 04/03/2023 12:13

Tell them you’re keeping your house on the market until you hear they’ve instructed their solicitor. A few weeks seems too good to be true imo! X

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:17

sjxoxo · 04/03/2023 12:13

Tell them you’re keeping your house on the market until you hear they’ve instructed their solicitor. A few weeks seems too good to be true imo! X

I don’t even know how to get that message to them. Estate agent just keeps saying they’ve tried calling. Perhaps I will get them to email the buyer. Alternatively I have their email, but don’t think I’m supposed to contact them directly

OP posts:
TiredandLate · 04/03/2023 12:24

Do you mean Wednesday as in 4 days ago? Or the Wednesday before? When I bought last year everything took weeks. The solicitor wouldn't even start searches until the mortgage was in place. We waited around 3 weeks for the valuation. Responses from anyone took at least a week, even with me trying to push things along. The whole process for a single purchase with no chain took 6 months.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:31

TiredandLate · 04/03/2023 12:24

Do you mean Wednesday as in 4 days ago? Or the Wednesday before? When I bought last year everything took weeks. The solicitor wouldn't even start searches until the mortgage was in place. We waited around 3 weeks for the valuation. Responses from anyone took at least a week, even with me trying to push things along. The whole process for a single purchase with no chain took 6 months.

The Wednesday before. So all in, it’s been a week and a half since offer was accepted. I totally understand things are slow when it comes to buying and selling houses, but after a week and a half with very little contact from the buyer, I’m beginning to have doubts about their commitment

OP posts:
MrsWojadobakowsky · 04/03/2023 12:36

Agent doesn't seem that bothered, they should be doing their job and ensuring messages get through.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:38

MrsWojadobakowsky · 04/03/2023 12:36

Agent doesn't seem that bothered, they should be doing their job and ensuring messages get through.

Totally agree with this. They say all the right things on the phone “we’re doing our best to chase it” etc, said it was passed on to the sales progressor… then yesterday evening I called the progressor and she said it was the first she’d heard of it!

I don’t know what else I can do, I chase them every day. It’s frustrating when I can’t contact the buyer or their solicitor directly. Feel stuck tbh!

OP posts:
Inkpotlover · 04/03/2023 12:41

I get why you are stressed, but a week-and-a-half since their offer was accepted is nothing in the scheme of things. Has the estate agent told the buyer you need to exchange in four weeks? As a buyer, that would put be off to be honest, because of the potential stress. I wouldn't want to be railroaded into not getting additional surveys if I felt the property needed them because of your timing deadline.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:45

Inkpotlover · 04/03/2023 12:41

I get why you are stressed, but a week-and-a-half since their offer was accepted is nothing in the scheme of things. Has the estate agent told the buyer you need to exchange in four weeks? As a buyer, that would put be off to be honest, because of the potential stress. I wouldn't want to be railroaded into not getting additional surveys if I felt the property needed them because of your timing deadline.

This is what is confusing me to high heavens, as some people say “yes, definitely put it back on the market as a week and a half is not acceptable to not have instructed a solicitor”. But then others saying it’s not uncommon makes me worry I’ll put the buyer off by hurrying them.

I believe they know about our 4 week exchange deadline. Originally I thought it could be a good thing as surely everyone wants a speedy moving process, but now I’m wondering if it is off putting. The buyer is relocating for work and isn’t starting the new job until July so April is early for them. However, as a cash buyer, I guess it doesn’t really matter when they complete as they won’t be paying a mortgage.

OP posts:
Inkpotlover · 04/03/2023 12:49

llihl13 · 04/03/2023 12:45

This is what is confusing me to high heavens, as some people say “yes, definitely put it back on the market as a week and a half is not acceptable to not have instructed a solicitor”. But then others saying it’s not uncommon makes me worry I’ll put the buyer off by hurrying them.

I believe they know about our 4 week exchange deadline. Originally I thought it could be a good thing as surely everyone wants a speedy moving process, but now I’m wondering if it is off putting. The buyer is relocating for work and isn’t starting the new job until July so April is early for them. However, as a cash buyer, I guess it doesn’t really matter when they complete as they won’t be paying a mortgage.

Show quote history

Your update about their job is a bit of a plot twist! I wouldn't exchange to buy a house in an area I hadn't yet moved to three months before I was due to move there. What happens if the job falls through at the 11th hour? I wonder if your EA has actually spun them a line saying don't worry about the four week deadline, it's never going to get done in that time, the seller will have to wait, so the buyer can hedge their bets.

Have you got a plan B for what you'll do if you don't exchange in your short timeframe?

TheSnowyOwl · 04/03/2023 12:51

I would also put it back on the market and say until they have instructed solicitors and started progressing you will continue with other viewings and potentially accept another offer. I agree that the second viewing means they aren’t sure.