The all new buyers/sellers waiting room (continued) thread

[sweetpickle2]

New thread!

Oh god @toni1602 that sounds like an added stress with the mortgage offer nearly up. That said, when there is an actual deadline like that, hopefully it will have the desired effect of some action!

I still haven’t heard from my solicitor today. It turns out her assistant has been off for an extended period, so her comms have been pretty non-existent. My agents are on the case, but due to the outstanding queries from my buyers I am doubtful of any action today (no idea what they are - I answered queries last on 11th April, which were the same as the ones I answered on 5th April)
Meanwhile my buyer has messaged me frequently to ask why my solicitor has gone quiet….

I may take the car for a drive on the dual carriageway and scream for a while, it is supposed to be a stress reliever!

Good luck to anyone exchanging/completing today

Congrats the those who have exchanged and commiserations to those who have had their sales fall through!

Update on our sale and purchase: After a week and a half of being told we will get an update when the solicitors get the final enquiry back, they were chased by me and they confirmed they received it a few days ago and will review it 'shortly'. It's utter bullshit as the whole chain is waiting on this and for them to prepare their report to us to read and sign.

Im thinking that if we didn't chase them then they will have just sat on it for god knows how long. They may even still do that as who knows how long the timeframe for 'shortly' is....Our buyers have been waiting to exchange for over 6 weeks now and I'm hoping they aren't getting cold feet due to the delays.

They could have ready the reply and sent the pack out at the start of the week (assuming they used their brains and actually completed the majority of it whilst waiting for this - they probably haven't though) and got another conveyancing off their books sooner rather than later.

Sorry for the rant but DH is so chill about things and if it was up to him he'd just trust people were as proactive as I am. Bless him

Hi guys im late to the party but was wondering if anyone could help me with some advice if they have been in similar situations?

So im selling a property that has probate, so not my property as such, never lived there, i had one sale fall through already.

It went back on the market and i accepted an offer based on the buyer is a ftb and needed to keep some money aside knowing it was a probate property and would need some work done on it. We are at the final stages now and they have just received the final report.

I have just received from my solicitor some more 'enquiries' which to me read more as demands. Please bear in mind i have jumped through hoops the whole process and done everything thats been asked of me and pumped a decent amount of money into the property getting jobs done, i also accepted a lower offer knowing they would also have to do things.

I simply do not have the funds to do what they are asking me to do now, in total it would cost with a generous estimate approx £2k which is only a % of the reduction of the offer. what can i do? I really cant mentally deal with losing another sale, i am literally a disabled single parent and dont have the funds required to do the work... how do i answer the enquiries? I realise they are potentially just trying to push their luck but i just need this over with now

Sorry you are having difficulties getting your sale over the line @DazedAndKerfuddled .

By the sound of it, your buyers think they can keep asking for things to be fixed and that you will sort it. They won't realise that it's not straightforward or affordable for you now, as you have completed tasks previously with no problem. But they are being a bit cheeky IMO if they are already getting a reduced price.

As I see it you have two alternatives. You can either say that you believe that the reduced price takes into account a range of works that they may have to undertake themselves, and so you are not willing to undertake anything further yourself. Or you can negotiate a further reduction in price, in which case you should get quotes for the works so that you don't reduce by too much. On paper Option A would appear to be preferable (and fairer), but it really depends on what makes your life easier. Assuming you are not relying on receiving a specific amount of money for the property, you may prefer to renegotiate. Either way, I would advise speaking with your Estate Agent and going over the options with them before making a decision.

Best of luck.

@ClematisBlue49 thank you for responding!

I don't specifically need a set amount from the property but i do feel like the reduction easily covers the costs with plenty left over to do the things they want to do on top of the bits that still need to be done

It really feels like they are just trying to get more and more out of me which i just simply can't fund now.

I have contacted my estate agent but they havent called me back yet and believe they are now closed for the evening so wont hear anything tonight

Its so frustrating, i just want so much for this to be done with so i can actually grieve instead of dealing with it all 😕

Hi,
Joining the waiting room! Still early days for us but have been watching this thread for a few weeks now.
We accepted an offer from our buyers who’s selling to an FTB and had our offer on our purchase agreed the week of the 8th April. Our sellers had their offer accepted on Monday and that’s the top of the chain.
So impatient for things to get moving but know we’ve a long way to go yet.
Hoping to receive our mortgage offer and get our survey date booked next week.

When do people start packing? We are 6 weeks in, short chain of 3, all surveys done, mortgages all in, our searches due back next week and our purchase are almost ready to exchange on their purchase. We have already had most our enquiries answered though may be a few more after searches. Our buyer has not submitted any enquiries yet but should have searches back by now so we are hoping they were just waiting to do all the enquiries at once - our solicitors are on the ball. I really want to start packing but feel like maybe I need to hold on at least another week! One of the estate agents mentioned last week of May as a date to aim for but who knows! My estate agents are not as proactive really with the updates which is starting to annoy me!

Maybe just start decluttering for now? We've emptied all the forgotten corners of rhe house so hopefully when we get packers in it's an easy-ish job for them.

@TitsInAbsentia did you complete okay yesterday?! We managed it, got our keys handed over at 11.30 and picked up ours at 1pm what a day! Hope you're in and enjoying your new home!!

Hi, yes, mad day! Completed at 1030 but had to wait for our can and then 2 hour drive. I am exhausted! Still so much to do but we have come to the pub for a rest 😁 are yiu all settled in or do you have loads to do?

My top tip for anyone buying a big fridge freezer...check the size of your doors! Luckily the two guys unwrapped it and got it in but was a bit scary...I gave them a nice tip as they also delivered two other appliances and were lovely.

Our movers also were amazing, we booked via any van which sub contracts the work out but the couple we got were absolute 💎 I will be shouting their praises all over London and hoping they no longer need to pick up work from them...they get less than 50% of what we paid..yikes...

My solicitor finally has the draft contract so searches and enquiries can start - only 5 weeks post offer....!

Hello!

Just joining this thread. I'm a first time buyer, buying alone so I'm finding it all a bit stressful!

My offer was accepted on Tuesday, I've sent through all the documents requested by the estate agents and just waiting for them to mark it as sold stc so I can book my survey. I'm keen to get everything sorted ASAP but also don't want to annoy/rush the sellers so any advice on how to be a good buyer would be appreciated!

Brief background. Accepted offer on my house 14 Feb. Offered on my onward purchase on the same day but that has now fallen through and I've withdrawn from the purchase.

Going to offer on another house tomorrow.

My buyer was beginning to talk about dates as we're 10 weeks in and obviously he's frustrated that I'm slowing down his move . He did say he would wait initially( he's living with family) but very conscious that there is a limit to everyone's patience.

How can I ensure my new onward purchase moves quicker? Can I ask for searches to be started asap? Anything else? It's a newish build so don't need a survey.

Thanks

@BG2015 can you move in with family if needs be and offer that as a sweetener to your buyer? Yes tell your solicitor to start everything immediately. Fingers crossed.

I also accepted and offered the same week as you! However our chain of 6 didn’t close til two weeks ago. So it’s been very difficult waiting. At the bottom we are going back and forth with enquiries. The top of the chain have just started paperwork. Bottom have had mortgage offers through. I’m the one pushing it all every week as I’m desperate to move in august. But…no survey from my buyers yet (FTB), which is worrying so I’ve asked my EA to chase them Monday.
Fo you think I should just crack on and book mine or wait til buyers do theirs? I mean someone has to take the plunge and I want to move now!!!!
I’m scared they’ll have a level 3 and discover something bad 😬and whole thing will fall apart.
Honestly the stress and waiting has been the narrative of this year. I’m mid divorce which isn’t helping and this move means so much for me and the children.

Moving house and getting divorced isn't a great mix. The only positive I got out of that was rapid weight loss 😂

We could move in with my parents short term, but they're in their 80's so it wouldn't be ideal.

Need to get the offer accepted first.

@runningmom we’ve just had the notification of sale go out. I’m planning on giving my buyers until after the bank holiday to book their survey, otherwise I’ll be asking my estate agent to ask theirs what they’re doing. I don’t want to live in fear of the survey results! We’re not having one done. We didn’t have one done when we bought here either (FTB) - and a lot of my friends don’t bother. I guess because we’re buying old, but pretty small, properties that you know are going to need some repairs but clearly aren’t falling down. Maybe it’s more of an issue these days because labour and materials are so much more expensive.

not sure how to make things move quicker @BG2015 but yeah I think I read somewhere you can pay the conveyancer for the searches upfront so they’re not waiting until things have progressed further.

When I bought my solicitor demanded loads of things from my vendors that I didn’t really care about - certificates for windows etc. It’s difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t be worried about so ask around and don’t just go with everything the solicitor suggests, especially if you’re buying something old. Mine has archaic leases on it and stuff. Indemnity insurances help with the non standard stuff.

just make sure you’re on top of the paperwork and respond efficiently. And try not to panic, I had to focus on the vision of me sitting in my new house a lot as we were in a complicated chain that nearly imploded multiple times and ended up with a two month wait between exchange and completion. It was stressful but all worked out well in the end!

Hi everyone,

I'm properly here now after a rollercoaster!

We had an offer accepted in October, they were moving into rented, ours was sold in 3 days full asking price. Then they decided they weren't moving to rented! We waited till January then started viewing again. Had a few offers turned down. Then our perfect property came on, in the same road as our first offer. Loads to do to it but we're happy doing it ourselves (husband used to be electrician and kitchen fitter). So we withdrew our offer. Offered asking price on new place and a £5k reduction to our buyers for sticking with us.

All fine, till our buyers pulled out when we were on holiday. We were given a week to get it sold again. It went straight back on. Estate agents worked hard for us. Had 8 viewings, 3 asking price offers and to sealed bids all over. Sold over asking.

So here we are, we've sent everything off to the solicitor, booked a level 3 on the new place as we have work to do to it and thought it showed we were serious. Mortgage broker has everything they need!

So now we wait and hope.

I've been reading this thread a bit and it's been so helpful keeping me calm and showing that it will work out somehow. So thanks everyone. Will be lovely to be doing this with some friends!

Thanks all. Sadly I’ve had weight gain and not loss since separation and house stuff 🤦🏼‍♀️ but thinking I’ll lose weight with all the DIY needed in my new house!
Im on the verge of just ordering my survey now instead of waiting for my buyer…I mean they’ve had mortgage offer, searches so I’m guessing they’re invested! Worst case scenario is of it falls apart I lose £400 but I do want the house I’m buying so I’ve got to get it done at some point I guess?!
Hoping for some updates on Monday. Wondering if I’m on the verge of pi*ng everyone off with my chasing!
Just to make me feel better I’ve ordered some in person removals quotes end of May to feel like I’m doing something!

Cant wait to talk packing on this forum!!!!

I got removal quotes back in October!!! The poor removal guy I just keep emailing him with updates that are no updates just to keep my name on their list!!! 😄

Fingers crossed we're both talking packing soon!

I haven't even thought about moving yet! I might just hire a van, that's what I've done before. Although I have more sofas since last time. Hmm.

Same here! Offered on a flat before Easter weekend, had the offer accepted a few days later and property taken off the market. Got my mortgage offer sorted, solicitor instructed and survey booked within the week. Naively thought it would all be sorted by end of May as there's no chain but sellers have been slow. They only sent through their draft contract pack on Thursday and haven't got the management pack yet(I'm buying leasehold). I've had to send a few nudges to the estate agents to get things moving.

Survey was mostly fine. Though I'm really glad that the surveyor called me to talk through his findings before he sent the report through as I think the report would have majorly stressed me out without the context!!

Speaking to the solicitor on Friday, she reckons it'll take between 12-16 weeks. Bit bummed out as I thought it'd be quicker. In limbo at the moment, and trying not to think too much about it in case it doesn't work out.

Good luck - hope it goes as smoothly as it can do!

I’m definitely getting the furniture reassembly package as no way in my own I can reassemble wardrobes and all the beds ebeb in a weekend let a day…in fact let’s be honest, I couldn’t do it!! Plus just me, two kids and a dog…I need all the help! Luckily I’ve budgeted for this. It’s not something I want to scrimp on. Everyone says it’s worth it.
Desperate for updates this week. And think I’ll just book my survey.

@runningmom our solicitors have an app, so you can see where you are in the process. It's so helpful to understand where we are and what's still to be done and who they are waiting for! And on the purchase the little removal lorry moves towards the house!

@Purplepepsi great idea. Ours has a portal but that was to upload stuff and fill in all the forms. You can message on it but other than that I don’t think it’s that useful. I’d love to be able to see what stage everyone is at and who is waiting on what!!! But then I’m an absolute control freak (which is also why this process is so frustrating). If I had a date now, even if 2-3 months ahead, I think I’d calm down. It’s all the nit knowing.