Buyer pulled out

[CautiouslyPessimistic]

I know there's nothing I can do about this but god I need to vent.

Listed in January, accepted an offer within two weeks, was very clear we needed to move in the school holidays because of the kids. Found a house we wanted, that offer accepted. Us and our sellers proceed along well - we were ready to exchange about a month ago, as were they on their onward purchase. Check in with our buyers - are you ready? - oh nearly they say, just a couple more questions.

At a rate of roughly one question a week they drag it out for another month, only to unceremoniously pull out this morning. Refused to give the estate agent a reason. Estate agent calls their lawyer, she says 'what do you want from me, they've given their answer'.

So here I am with four months to list again and complete before my youngest starts Reception in another county, our sellers now have to decide if they want to wait for us or not, and I'm so angry I could spit fire.

I know they're allowed to do it, I know that's how the system works in this country, but I just feel so strung along and like it's the height of callous disregard for someone else's life. And now we'll probably have to accept a lower offer to sell faster, and all because someone else is too lazy to ask the questions they need promptly, or too selfish to realise how it affects someone else.

@CautiouslyPessimistic Each time our buyer has bailed I’ve asked for searches and survey. Their solicitors have generally suggested we pay for them, at which point I’ve reiterated how much financial loss we had incurred because of the buyers and how the least they could do is hand over paperwork that now has no value to them. Each time the buyers have sheepishly handed them over for free in the end.

Definitely don’t pay. The fact that these people incur losses is such a comfort 🤣

Sorry, can you tell I’m still salty.

@Secondwindplease ok that's genius, I genuinely hadn't thought of guilting them about it. Thanks for the tip!

Er, you know hexes aren't real, don't you?

I feel your pain! Same has just happened to us. Got an asking price offer, but the buyer wanted a whole list of things included - fridge freezer, range oven, dishwasher, tumbler dryer, washing machine, curtains, blinds, cupboards, bookshelves, at one point she even wanted our bed and bedroom furniture!!
We agreed and things went on with her asking (through EA emails) about not kidding 40 questions a day on the smallest details. We were patient and researched and found answers to everything - even stuff that we didn't need to do. Next thing she wants a second viewing but we mustn't be in the house. FFS. We both work at home running our business so we had to vacate our own house for the afternoon for her. She came back with more questions ... however, the sale seemed to be proceeding so we gritted our teeth. We made an offer to the house we wanted (downsizing) and all seemed happy days. Then she wanted a third viewing with her son. And us to be there. So we took off a day at work to be with her while she visited and asked another 100 questions. She started to measure up, ask husband about tiles, all sorts of stuff.
11 days went by and we spent another £500 at the solicitor's to get the contract pack. We also made plans to book a surveyor and relocate our business. Then, abruptly on Monday, we got a one line message from solicitor saying she had withdrawn her offer...
we are gutted. Gobsmacked. She wasted so much of our time and money over 6 weeks. All our plans are broken. And the people in front of us in the chain can't move on.
Just wanted to add to your anger and frustration because the house buy and sell system is just so rocky and so unfair. In Scotland she'd have had to pay compensation to withdraw at this stage. Hope all works out for you x

Ive been let down 7 times since last year various reasons and excuses. Ive given up for now ive had enough. May try again next year depends on economy.

I sympathise, the system is shite and needs looking at

7 times! :(
Awful. It means you can never plan your life. We put ours back on the market but if it doesn't get an offer by October we may try again next year.
It's a lovely house and I hate it to look like it's unwanted and unloved, languishing on the market for months.
Annoying that we missed the best 'selling months' between May and July because of that time waster.
Now everyone has gone on holiday, and interest rates are going up.
sigh

I know how you’re feeling. We were also given no reason at all by our would-be buyer who’d been dawdling throughout the process and pulled out days before exchange. I understand concerns and cold feet, but pulling out without even a crap excuse is rubbing salt in the wound.

We accepted a lower offer to sell, but it wasn’t that much lower and it all worked out.

Yes, after it happened to me I have refused to entertain completion any earlier than a full week after exchange. Nothing gets packed or moved until contracts are exchanged.

If it's any consolation I really don't think many more houses ended up selling in May to July than they had from January to April. I don't think there was a boom this year.

Its a nightmare isnt it. I cant cope with it anymore, spending hours cleaning etc and having to leave my home for viewings thats why ive come off the market until the economy improves. Who knows when that will be....

Happened to me last year. Having messed about over sthg in the survey which turned out to be a complete non-issue, they suddenly decided to buy next-door but one which was also for sale. They were horrible, didn't return agent's calls asking reason and I only found out from the neighbour having the names of the buyers.

@CautiouslyPessimistic any luck? I have been rooting for you!

@Adviceneeded234 sweet of you to check in - basically yes. We relisted and did get another offer, though much slower than last time. Luckily our vendors waited for us. We've been going through enquiries for about a month now and fingers crossed we should be exchanging end of this week 🤞 nothing is packed though, I just can't do it until I'm sure, it's too bloody stressful! Whole process will have taken 8 months by the end of it. I honestly feel like I've doubled my number of grey hairs and I've definitely cried more than I'd care to admit throughout.

I'm so sorry to the rest of you also having a crap time of it - I do feel like the market has slowed down since the start of the year, I keep getting property alerts to say things have been reduced. It's grim out there.

That`s right, spring bounce was cancelled this year, and now they are saying FTB mortgage applications are down 30% on last year.

@CautiouslyPessimistic did you exchange/ complete?

we have finally exchanged today and will be completing tomorrow!

@Adviceneeded234 We did! Finally, FINALLY exchanged last Thursday, due to complete in three weeks. Chain collapsed a second time and had to be rebuilt AGAIN but we managed it. EAs are telling me it's brutal out there at the moment and we definitely saw a lot of really unpleasant behaviour from people - I think people are just very stressed about it and it's creating a lot of hostility. But we got there!

Congratulations to you - good luck for the move tomorrow!