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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:
Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 15:21

mrsbyers · 04/03/2023 15:06

A week and a half is no time at all and hassling them is very likely to cause the same to fall through especially when you don’t seem to know if they are aware of the 4 week thing.

The developers will want the sale to go through by the end of the financial year but it’s very unlikely to happen regardless - ours wanted a similar thing to get it through within a particular month but in the end they simply had to wait , if you don’t make the 4 week thing realistically they will have months to wait while another buyer is found for your property etc

I believe it’s stated on the memo of sale when we will need to exchange/complete.

It feels like a lose lose situation because I either don’t pester them and they are likely to just continue to ghost me and the agent, or I pester them and they walk away because they’ve been hassled… :(

OP posts:
Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 15:23

GMOOH2023 · 04/03/2023 15:09

If they aren't sure enough to start the ball rolling without a second viewing, then they shouldn't have put in an offer.

Exactly this.

We are in the process of buying somewhere and had an offer accepted 8 days ago. That was on condition that any future viewings were cancelled.

Solicitor is instructed, survey is arranged and we have had to provide proof of funds (we're cash buyers). All this had to be done before the memorandum of sale was issued yesterday.

The EA has been pretty hot on chasing us to make sure that everything is in hand. We've been away from the UK for many years and have seen some horror stories abouts EAs, but we seem to have struck lucky and found a good one - touch wood.

We aren't local buyers, we don't even live in the UK so everything had to be done once we got home 6 days ago. If we hadn't got everything done then our vendors would be quite right to assume we were time wasters and continue with viewings. I wouldn't blame them.

We will definitely want to go back to the property to do some measuring etc before relocating, but that's waaaay down the line once contracts are exchanged.

It's all a lot simpler here and we are on steep learning curve going back to buying in the UK. Hope it works out for you OP, but your timescale seems unrealistically tight.

This is exactly what I would expect of a buyer. Certainly not 1.5 weeks later having got nowhere and avoiding agents calls.

I am realising it’s now super tight and losing hope we will get the dream house.

OP posts:
RidingMyBike · 04/03/2023 15:27

Are you sure the EA has passed on everything you think they have to the buyer? Eg the timeframe? EA tend to say whatever they want to get an offer in and then worry about the reality later (eg our supposedly chain-free purchase turned out to be nothing of the sort!).

I also don't think a week and a half is that long. Depends on their context but we viewed houses over a period of 3.5 months before having an offer accepted. We could have put in an offer at any time if we'd seen one we liked but that didn't mean the rest of life stopped. So I had various work trips away and we all had Covid during that time - I wouldn't have been instructing solicitors then as too much else happening! We also had a solicitor lined up with our ID sorted already thanks to previous house sale, but if they're starting out from scratch they'll have to start with ID checks etc.

pilates · 04/03/2023 15:31

Do not email buyer. Bad idea. Be warned you will get a load of pressure from the developers agents.

sashagabadon · 04/03/2023 15:32

I’m not a fan of selling to cash buyers as I see them mainly as investors (appreciate not all are) plus they think they have upper hand as more “ desirable “ than mortgage plus nothing to lose in messing people about as no mortgage offer to worry about. I also think they sometimes put in multiple offers and see which pans out I.e not serious buyers ( disclaimer not all cash buyers)

Ketchupwee · 04/03/2023 16:01

K10f1 · 04/03/2023 13:46

i’ve bought three houses in my life and used a different solicitor for my last purchase as it was going to be a bit complicated and I wanted someone local to the purchase property. They didn’t consider themselves “instructed” until I returned all my paperwork, property details, the finance fact finding… there were about 4 different documents I had to complete. They were also old school and used post only not e mail for the sending/return of this paperwork. I actually spoke to solicitors the day my offer was accepted. The paperwork I needed to complete arrived 5 days later. I had it back in the post around 4 days after that. Allowing for weekends etc it probably was not far off two weeks until they would have considered themselves “instructed.” But once instructed i had no more paperwork to do. From my end we were done. Just a thought. They might not be dragging their feet, they might simply be ploughing through paperwork. On the other hand the lack of contact would bother me too. My last sale I l rejected a higher offer because they’d been a bloody nightmare to contact and I preferred the nice easy to contact lower offer people.

This is why I always use a solicitor who is close enough for me to go in and pick paperwork up/drop it off rather than waiting for the post - I'd much rather jump in the car for 20 minutes and know it is with them than wait for the post

EstherHazy · 04/03/2023 16:26

I am FTB with offer accepted about 3 weeks ago now. I was shocked how quickly I was expected to act in the first week given how slow the whole process is generally thought to be. I thought I'd have more time to research and select a solicitor (you could say I should have done this before, but I could have bought in a few different towns and could have been house or leasehold flat, so wanted want to choose based on what I ended up going for).

I did choose the solicitor within 1 day of offer, but to actually instruct the solicitor (after I'd confirmed I'd wanted to use them), they posted me a load of forms (so - at least one more day for the post to come) and I had to go in with ID and pay for the searches and 6 months of bank statements (even if I wanted them not to do any of them yet) (so, another day). It was only then I'd have 'instructed' them. So a small number of days would be totally normal to get that done.

I'd also be stressed out by the EA pushing me to be very fast at such an early stage and prob interpret that negatively as aggressive sales tactics and did they want to move so fast I missed something important that's bad about the house/area/etc etc.

Re 2nd visit - it could be really good as you can meet them and actually talk through your needs for the sale and gauge their expectations/commitment etc. So use it as a positive to set the timeline with them directly, and answer all the small queries that don't need the solicitors holding things up.

TheSnowyOwl · 04/03/2023 16:51

EstherHazy · 04/03/2023 16:26

I am FTB with offer accepted about 3 weeks ago now. I was shocked how quickly I was expected to act in the first week given how slow the whole process is generally thought to be. I thought I'd have more time to research and select a solicitor (you could say I should have done this before, but I could have bought in a few different towns and could have been house or leasehold flat, so wanted want to choose based on what I ended up going for).

I did choose the solicitor within 1 day of offer, but to actually instruct the solicitor (after I'd confirmed I'd wanted to use them), they posted me a load of forms (so - at least one more day for the post to come) and I had to go in with ID and pay for the searches and 6 months of bank statements (even if I wanted them not to do any of them yet) (so, another day). It was only then I'd have 'instructed' them. So a small number of days would be totally normal to get that done.

I'd also be stressed out by the EA pushing me to be very fast at such an early stage and prob interpret that negatively as aggressive sales tactics and did they want to move so fast I missed something important that's bad about the house/area/etc etc.

Re 2nd visit - it could be really good as you can meet them and actually talk through your needs for the sale and gauge their expectations/commitment etc. So use it as a positive to set the timeline with them directly, and answer all the small queries that don't need the solicitors holding things up.

That’s not normal with a solicitor. You hire them by email by confirming their prices and then you have an online video call re ID.

EstherHazy · 04/03/2023 17:01

TheSnowyOwl · 04/03/2023 16:51

That’s not normal with a solicitor. You hire them by email by confirming their prices and then you have an online video call re ID.

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Ah well - that's what mine wanted and how they work, and they are a (small-ish) chain. Probably if I'd not been pressured into immediately letting the EA know who my solicitors were I may have found one that worked differently!

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 18:00

Hi all, another update. Found out the buyer has split with his partner so unsure if they want to go ahead with the sale now. Still being very vague but it’s not looking likely as I think he was moving down here to be near partners family. Very upset as developers have said they don’t think they can hold the plot whilst we find a new buyer as the development is basically all sold, over £1K lost on fees and extras deposit already.

I know that’s just how it goes with selling a house but it still bloody hurts. Not sure we can afford to look for somewhere new as we found such a good deal on the last house on the development. Thanks for all your advice and I do apologise if I was ratty today lol. I guess the show must go on…

OP posts:
TippledPink · 04/03/2023 18:11

Sorry to hear that - when buyers go quiet it's never good news. So annoying you have lost your reservation deposit too. Get straight back on the market and see if you can sell quickly and get your new build house!

GMOOH2023 · 04/03/2023 18:23

Sorry to hear that OP. It's pants.

Why aren't people just upfront, or at least aware that any change in their circumstances can impact numerous people - emotionally as well as financially?

We are selling a property at the moment (our purchase isn't dependent on the funds before anyone picks me up on saying we are cash buyers upthread!)

Signed all the papers - similar to exchange in the UK - then the (cash) buyers pulled out last minute because it was "too difficult to organise the money transfers".

FFS - these things are what you need to sort out before you start the process, not at the very end!

Inkpotlover · 04/03/2023 18:23

Really sorry to hear that, OP. It's gutting when you lose out on a property you've set your heart on. Flowers

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 18:25

TippledPink · 04/03/2023 18:11

Sorry to hear that - when buyers go quiet it's never good news. So annoying you have lost your reservation deposit too. Get straight back on the market and see if you can sell quickly and get your new build house!

Thank you. Yep, all we can do is plow on. Calling agents first thing on Monday to get the house back on regardless of the buyers situation.

On a side note, even if I had split with my partner I would’ve had the decency to send a quick note to the agent to say I wasn’t in a position to proceed anymore. Shocked at the decency of some people…

OP posts:
Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 18:28

@Inkpotlover thanks, it’s really shitty isn’t it. I have spent the last two hours crying lol. Had so many plans for it and started buying things, perhaps prematurely.

@GMOOH2023 so sorry it happened to you too, were you able to find another buyer?

OP posts:
Inkpotlover · 04/03/2023 18:31

llihl13 · 04/03/2023 18:28

@Inkpotlover thanks, it’s really shitty isn’t it. I have spent the last two hours crying lol. Had so many plans for it and started buying things, perhaps prematurely.

@GMOOH2023 so sorry it happened to you too, were you able to find another buyer?

We lost out on two houses we really wanted and both times I cried! Then we found the one we're in now. I didn't want to look at it initially because it needed work (Victorian terrace with 1980s decor!) but DP persuaded me and the minute I stepped inside the door it felt like home in a way the other two hadn't. Been here six years now and it's the best place I've ever lived in besides my childhood home. You might've missed out this time but your dream house is probably still out there.

TippledPink · 04/03/2023 18:34

@Inkpotlover I am also on my third house, I accepted the offer on my house in August 2021, but each time I have found a house the sellers haven't been able to find anything! I was hoping a new build this time would cut all that problem out but now my buyers are causing the issue!

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 18:35

Inkpotlover · 04/03/2023 18:31

We lost out on two houses we really wanted and both times I cried! Then we found the one we're in now. I didn't want to look at it initially because it needed work (Victorian terrace with 1980s decor!) but DP persuaded me and the minute I stepped inside the door it felt like home in a way the other two hadn't. Been here six years now and it's the best place I've ever lived in besides my childhood home. You might've missed out this time but your dream house is probably still out there.

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Oh that made me cry again lol, but in a good way. I had some reservations about this house as even though the price was amazing the location wasn’t my first choice. Maybe it was fate. But your comment has made me realise what’s meant to be will be. I’m trying to remain positive.

On a separate note to all that are still here, I had a note through the door about a house buying company who said they could buy my home for market value (lol). Assuming it’s a scam, but anyone know the deal there???

OP posts:
Barannca · 04/03/2023 18:43

If you put it back on the market you are not likely to complete in 4 weeks.
The minimum I have known a house sale take is two months and usually they take longer. As a buyer I would be put off by the 4 week deadline. Getting surveyors round then waiting for a report can take ages as can conveyancing. A house purchase is the most expensive thing most people buy so rushing it doesn't make sense

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 18:57

Barannca · 04/03/2023 18:43

If you put it back on the market you are not likely to complete in 4 weeks.
The minimum I have known a house sale take is two months and usually they take longer. As a buyer I would be put off by the 4 week deadline. Getting surveyors round then waiting for a report can take ages as can conveyancing. A house purchase is the most expensive thing most people buy so rushing it doesn't make sense

Yeah, fully aware of this. Thinking now we probably won’t put it back on via the assisted move with the developer and go elsewhere with a new agent. Think we probably need to count that new build out and start again… it’s just not looking feasible to do the 4 weeks and the developer has echoed that

OP posts:
EstherHazy · 04/03/2023 19:24

Oh no!!! :( I really feel for you, and the lost money is a big ouch as you will have worked hard for it. The situation sounds really rubbish and your gut was right about something going on with your buyer after all.

It's a hollow thing to say but things do work out in the end and you will get there one way or another.

I would talk to the development you're buying from on Monday - you may find as much as they were pressuring you before, they'd still need to start from scratch for whoever they'd otherwise sell to and the market is dipping so may yet be able to hold the plot for you despite all their talk so far. I don't know, obviously - but it seems to me worth the conversation at least.

All the very best x

Barannca · 04/03/2023 19:27

I hope you find something better OP.
We are looking to move soon and I have been unsure about going for a new.build. This thread has made me 100% sure that we should avoid them. It sounds incredibly stressful and making you complete in 4 weeks if you have a house to sell just seems ridiculous. Maybe they are better for first time buyers.

Original poster
llihl13 · 04/03/2023 19:43

@EstherHazy @Barannca thanks both, a bitter pill to swallow but such is life. I will definitely speak to the developer on Monday and reiterate we’ve dedicated time and money to this house and we are committed!! Not that I’m sure it will make a difference - they are a business at the end of the day. I literally cried to her on the phone, it came out of nowhere and the first time I’ve cried over this, but she didn’t seem sympathetic.

Barannca I would definitely think twice about a new build if you aren’t a FTB. We went for it because it was so easy first time around and the assisted move seemed like it would take all the stress out. How wrong I was as all they’ve done is pressure and make it more stressful than it needed to be! I think we will look for an ex new build that is a few years old when we are next ready.

OP posts:
GMOOH2023 · 05/03/2023 09:30

@llihl13

Thanks for asking. Looks like we may have another offer in the pipeline and we definitely have more viewings lined up. Luckily we weren't relying on this sale for our next purchase otherwise I would have been a snotty mess all weekend.

Hope next week is a more positive one for everyone!

Greenfairydust · 05/03/2023 15:38

I am looking to buy a house at the moment.

There is no way I would act like this if I finally found the right home and had an offer accepted.

Returning calls and giving updates is just basic communications.

Sounds like your buyer is a time waster.