Bought house in September still not moved

[christmasbarbie]

We viewed/ put an offer on a house early September last year. Was accepted. We still haven’t moved and are getting a bit annoyed as the sellers we are buying from keep coming up with reasons not to move. They had a property they wanted to buy, then changed their mind (this has happened 3 times), they have one they want to buy and aware waiting for surveys to come back (should be back next week but, which I don’t understand as ours didn’t take this long). We were told when we viewed it they were all ready to move and just needed someone to buy their house. We have been patient but are getting annoyed with them now as our mortgage offer is going to expire soon. Would you look for other houses?

yes

100% start looking elsewhere

My neighbour moved about 6 months ago, after about a wait of nearly 2 years. She was downsizing, people were willing to wait to move into hers, her new house was empty, but the first time buyers, down the chain, kept backing out due to mortgage problems.

Yes. I mean, we are in a similar situation. Offer accepted December and vendors still looking but they were very transparent and continue to be. Also we are not in a rush- didn’t intend to move but fell in love with this house.

In your case I’d be still looking.

Yes - and you’ll likely need to get a new mortgage offer.

It may spur them into doing something if they think you’ll walk but likely you need to give up this house.

You didn't buy a house in September, you put an offer in on one. Which is a completely different situation.

The problem with the system in England is that, in most cases, you can't get an offer accepted unless you're "procedable". ie you have the chain below you secured. So, usually when you offer, the vendor hasn't had an offer accepted as they aren't procedable.

If I were you I'd tell the vendors estate agent that, due to the delay, you will be looking at other houses. The problem is, if you find another house, there may be further delays as that vendor might need to find a house.

We moved in December 22 - we put our house on the market in February 22, accepted an offer in March, had our offer accepted in March, and then got messed around by our buyers so badly that we had to go back on the market again.

It's a crap way to buy and sell houses but it's the system we're stuck with.

I don’t think you actually have bought it? Have you exchanged or competed? It reads to me like you are still at the offer stage? Just pull out.

You can’t stop looking until contracts are signed.

Get your solicitor to draft a letter to say that unless contracts are signed, returned and a closing date set by a particular date you’ll be withdrawing your offer.

Personally I’d just withdraw and walk.

Sorry yes we haven’t bought it yet, we have just put an offer in

I’d be threatening to pull out and they can risk having to re-list and take a lower offer. Why can’t they move out and rent for a bit?

I would look elsewhere I think .They are being flaky and you have been very patient up to now I think

I would never of stopped looking.
The system is so fraught with delays and disappointments that I would have kept an eye on the market "just in case".

I would have lost patience by now and would have told them in December that I would be actively looking at other properties from January.

Yes, definitely look elsewhere. It doesn't sound as if they actually want to sell.