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Original poster

How long did it take for a property to go Sold STC

29 replies

Bubblegum20 · 09/09/2023 17:58

We had an offer accepted on a house 10 days ago and you wouldn't know it's under offer or sold STC on rightmove or the estate agents website. Our offer was accepted 15k under the asking price, but we didn't realise they could still advertise it. We're spending a lot on solicitors fees (opening fees, searches etc). We're also the top of a long chain which is making us nervous they're gonna pull our offer at any moment. Has anyone else had this before?

OP posts:
TerfTalking · 09/09/2023 18:03

Have you provided all your proof of deposit, ID, solicitor’s details etc to the agent and had a memorandum of sale?

if you have I would e calling them now and asking. DS bought a new house (middle of chain) last month. The SOLD went up on his sale and purchase the same day about a week after the offer was accepted but he was on the ball providing his info.

Motnight · 09/09/2023 18:07

We had an offer accepted this week STC and the website was updated that day.

Motnight · 09/09/2023 18:08

TerfTalking · 09/09/2023 18:03

Have you provided all your proof of deposit, ID, solicitor’s details etc to the agent and had a memorandum of sale?

if you have I would e calling them now and asking. DS bought a new house (middle of chain) last month. The SOLD went up on his sale and purchase the same day about a week after the offer was accepted but he was on the ball providing his info.

Forgot all this! Yes had to provide all these details.

Royanne · 09/09/2023 18:10

Was changed on Rightmove the day after offer was accepted. Basically as soon as we'd sent proof of deposit through

Original poster
Bubblegum20 · 09/09/2023 18:14

Yes we've provided all ID, got solicitors, we've got a memorandum of sale from the estate agent, and we've got our mortgage all in place. I did call the estate agent and they said the vendors didn't want it to be changed to sold STC until exchange of contracts which is making us think maybe they're holding out for a better offer. There's 4 other people in our chain so we don't want to be holding anyone up, but the house our offer has been accepted on is perfect for us.

OP posts:
ClematisBlue49 · 09/09/2023 18:15

The property I'm selling went STC straight away as the buyer had already provided proof of finance. I think it depends on how efficient the EA is.

ClematisBlue49 · 09/09/2023 18:17

OP, yes it does sound like they are hedging their bets. Poor form for the EA to go along with it, IMO, but perhaps it happens a lot.

TerfTalking · 09/09/2023 18:27

That’s very naughty then, I think I would telling them unless they mark it sold STC you will consider withdrawing your offer. They don’t sound like very honourable sellers do they?

Original poster
Bubblegum20 · 09/09/2023 18:38

We didn't realise they could even do that. The property is empty too, the man who lived there past away, so it's his children selling it. When we purchased the house we live in, it went Sold STC straight away so it was a bit of a shock when this one hasn't. I suppose all we can do is keep our fingers crossed, just wondered if anyone else had been in this position and made it to the point of exchange.

OP posts:
Karmatime · 09/09/2023 18:46

I wouldn’t accept this, tell them it needs to be taken off the market or you will have to reconsider. If it’s not showing as SSTC then they will likely be conducting viewings. One agent I used in London didn’t mark as SSTC until the buyer had appointed a solicitor, booked a survey and initiated searches but that is all done in the first couple of weeks, they did this in order to see a level of commitment from the buyer. I’ve never heard of waiting until exchange.

pepino · 09/09/2023 19:24

Bubblegum20 · 09/09/2023 18:14

Yes we've provided all ID, got solicitors, we've got a memorandum of sale from the estate agent, and we've got our mortgage all in place. I did call the estate agent and they said the vendors didn't want it to be changed to sold STC until exchange of contracts which is making us think maybe they're holding out for a better offer. There's 4 other people in our chain so we don't want to be holding anyone up, but the house our offer has been accepted on is perfect for us.

I would say that if it's not changed to sstc then I'd be withdrawing the offer...

whyisitallsohard · 09/09/2023 21:07

you should call the EA, then write to them, saying that you've noticed they're still advertising, and that if they don't stop inc stop all viewings, you WILL withdraw your offer. don't you watch location, location, location. telling EA to stop ad and further viewings is part of the offer and acceptance. you have to also write to them clearly stating what you expect.

SammySays · 09/09/2023 21:16

They haven’t actually accepted your offer if there are still letting me shown to other people and to be advertised. You need to give an ultimatum, either they take it off the market or you walk. Don’t spend money and deal with the stress of this if they may accept another offer any second. Really shocking that the estate agent is letting that happen

KievLoverTwo · 09/09/2023 22:29

Tbh, it could be the estate agent trying to gather up more names for a backup plan in case you don't proceed. So many sales are falling through. If it's probate, they know you will never meet the sellers.

However. Some of the worst behaviour I read about on here is by probate sales. You get one sibling who just wants it over and done with and another who is greedy and behaves really badly, and it ends up going tits up and causing the buyer so much stress. Someone posted on here just two days ago that their multi vendor probate purchase got pulled as she was packing up with her kids, because they had suddenly decided (after three months iirc) that they want more money.

It seems to bring out the worst in families.

I would try a slightly softer approach. I would email the agent and say that you have instructed your mortgage broker and conveyencer to pause all work until it is either removed or marked sold STC. It's just a bit less harsh than threatening to pull out.

Flubadubba · 10/09/2023 07:53

We always make any offer subject to status being changed on all platforms and adverts, and all viewings ceasing.

This is something worth throwing your toys out of the pram about as you are being asked to spend a lot of money with no guarantee.

Royanne · 10/09/2023 11:29

I wouldn't be happy with that whatsoever.

You could get somebody else to ring the EA and enquire about the property and see what they say. If it sounds like they're still conducting viewings, I would tell the EA that it needs to be removed from all channels or you'll withdraw your offer.

housethatbuiltme · 10/09/2023 14:45

I forgotten the name but theres a name for this.

The estate agent wouldn't let us view some properties we where really interested in because they 'stay on market' until exchange/completion and will take any higher offer up until the last moments. They used a specific phrase for doing that but I can't bloody remember it.

Its common with repossession houses etc... apparently.

Original poster
Bubblegum20 · 10/09/2023 18:00

I did call the EA today and they said that the vendors still won't change it to SSTC. They're not booking anyone in to view it, but if anyone offers over the phone without viewing the property then they have to tell the vendors still, we're now in two minds about what to do

OP posts:
Meagen · 22/09/2023 23:59

I've had this done twice now with rightmove I waited 10 weeks on stc then buyer backed out due to couldn't sell his house because of foam insulation in loft I was gutted and had to start again and I'm still trying

Porkepic · 23/09/2023 06:37

This has red flag all over it. Your best protection here is a continuing falling market they limit the risk of a competitive bid as time passes by.

Roselilly36 · 23/09/2023 06:51

We have always made offers subject to, property being removed from the market, no further marketing etc. the properties are usually marked as SSTC once solicitors are instructed. It sounds to me that the vendors have been messed around in the past and are wanting the marketing to be active in case you pull out. This isn’t fair assuming you are a genuine committed buyer. Personally I would ask someone I knew to call the EA and enquire about the property and see what they say. Good luck.

BlueMongoose · 23/09/2023 12:03

Yep, sadly. We tried to ask them to go SSTC and the agent said no. After months of us waiting patiently for the vendors to get their act together through the courts, another buyer came in and offered more. Went to best and final, we had to offer 15K more, we got it. Then the other buyer upped their offer. Fortunately for us at that point the vendor decided we should get it as we had waited so long in good faith and called a halt. But it still cost us 15K when we had not been responsible for any of the delays.

Catmummyof2 · 23/09/2023 12:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Bubblegum20 · 25/09/2023 15:12

I got my brother to call up and enquire about it, the EA said they were taking a list of names and numbers incase it fell through but told him it was sold stc over the phone which made me feel a bit better. It's still going through, hopefully it continues and we exchange/complete soon 🤞🏼

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 25/09/2023 15:56

Hopefully that has given you some reassurance OP. Sounds like are doing things right. Good luck with your move.

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