Hi
We are first time buyers in need of advice.
The duplex has been in the market since May 2022. Initially advertised for £320000 then reduced to £300000. It's on the market with three different estate agents. We offered £310000, refused. We increased to £315000 and accepted.
The flat has a 84 years lease left. Owner said it'd cost £5000 to renew as he had an offer already form the housing association. So our offer was conditional to the Premium being £5000.
Once offer accepted we requested the property is removed from the market with the other two agencies and marked sold stc with the current agent we are dealing. However, the seller's saying that he's requested the flat is removed but these agencies are apparently advertising it still against instructions and that we shouldn't blame the seller for it and holding up the process. According to the agent he's seen his emails requesting they remove the flat from their sites and that should be enough to appease us. We are being pressurised to instruct solicitors whilst the property is on Rightmove and Zoopla with other agencies but we are not prepared to incur costs until the property is removed.
Another issue is that the lease offer from the landlord expired in January 2023. We've asked the seller to obtain a new offer confirming the premium. He won't do so until exchange because he doesn't want to incur costs of the valuation in case the sale fall through given it happened before already that the buyer pulled out after he got the lease offer. we however are not prepared to take all the risks in this transaction. We will also be incurring surveyors costs and solicitors costs that may be lost if turns out there are issues with this flat or the premium has increased too much.
Are we being unreasonable to be ready to walk if our only two conditions aren't met?