Page 35 | The all new buyers/sellers waiting room (continued) thread

KatVal · 28/04/2024 15:42

Hi all,

Congrats to those who have exchanged/ completed this week and good luck to those due to exchange/ complete this upcoming week!

I'm seriously contemplating pulling out of our purchase. We're 6 months in and our seller has messaged my husband to say that they can only move on a weekend 😱 they suggested that we complete on 17th may but they will only be able to give us the keys on the Saturday! Technically we would already own the house and would need to vacate ours on the Friday and give the keys to our buyer!

BG2015 · 28/04/2024 16:40

KatVal · 28/04/2024 15:42

Hi all,

Congrats to those who have exchanged/ completed this week and good luck to those due to exchange/ complete this upcoming week!

I'm seriously contemplating pulling out of our purchase. We're 6 months in and our seller has messaged my husband to say that they can only move on a weekend 😱 they suggested that we complete on 17th may but they will only be able to give us the keys on the Saturday! Technically we would already own the house and would need to vacate ours on the Friday and give the keys to our buyer!

That's illegal isn't it. Once all monies have moved about the property is yours so they will need to be out.

We would all love the luxury of taking our time and telling out buyers when they can come along and move in but that's not how it works.

I'm sure it's often written that you have to be out by 1.30 etc?

KatVal · 28/04/2024 16:50

Yep it's supposed to be vacant possession which is why I'm frustrated. It's a given for most people that they'd have to take time off work so unsure why they can't. If they don't budge then we'll have to pull out and consider finding a rental for when the sale has gone through as it's just isn't legally or feasibly possible. Frustrating that we've got so far into the process but hey ho 🤷‍♀️

Purplepepsi · 28/04/2024 17:47

Oh my goodness @KatVal I would be fuming. What a weird thing to ask -what does your solicitor say?!

NoWordForFluffy · 28/04/2024 17:48

They sound either like cheeky fuckers or clueless idiots, @KatVal! I wouldn't trust them to be out now, even if they changed their tune.

KatVal · 28/04/2024 17:52

Half of me is seething and the other half thinks sod it, just throw the towel in! We went back to them to say that it needs to be a weekday but no response as of yet! Going to speak to the solicitor and estate agent tomorrow, hopefully the agent can talk some sense into them. They initially said that if we can't do mid may then it will be towards the end of summer 😱

LaPalmaLlama · 28/04/2024 18:38

KatVal · 28/04/2024 17:52

Half of me is seething and the other half thinks sod it, just throw the towel in! We went back to them to say that it needs to be a weekday but no response as of yet! Going to speak to the solicitor and estate agent tomorrow, hopefully the agent can talk some sense into them. They initially said that if we can't do mid may then it will be towards the end of summer 😱

Frustrating as it is, if you love the house, I would probably suck up the cost of a hotel and overnight removals storage vs. starting the whole process again. They sound like a nightmare though, unless they both do jobs with a 4 week rota where it's literally not possible to swap shifts or work on an oil rig/ submarine.

sugarbyebye · 28/04/2024 18:39

Bloody hell, some people are so unreasonable! I would do what @LaPalmaLlama suggests but leave a stinking turd in the toilet.

sugarbyebye · 28/04/2024 18:40

Oh just realised it's your seller not buyer, so the turd would not be a good move!

KatVal · 28/04/2024 19:01

LaPalmaLlama · 28/04/2024 18:38

Frustrating as it is, if you love the house, I would probably suck up the cost of a hotel and overnight removals storage vs. starting the whole process again. They sound like a nightmare though, unless they both do jobs with a 4 week rota where it's literally not possible to swap shifts or work on an oil rig/ submarine.

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I think you're right but it's more the fact that it would legally be our house and may invalidate insurance etc. They seem like nice people but what if a day turns into a couple of days then a week.. the other issue is the fact that we've got a cat and two dogs so it isn't as simple as overnight storage unfortunately. God I hate this process 😩

ClematisBlue49 · 28/04/2024 19:29

@KatVal , are they saying that they expect you to pay for the house but not have immediate access to it? Are you supposed to just trust them?! I'm sure the EA will talk some sense into them. I had to hand my keys over to my EA by 12.00pm on completion day, and that was non-negotiable.

KatVal · 28/04/2024 19:45

ClematisBlue49 · 28/04/2024 19:29

@KatVal , are they saying that they expect you to pay for the house but not have immediate access to it? Are you supposed to just trust them?! I'm sure the EA will talk some sense into them. I had to hand my keys over to my EA by 12.00pm on completion day, and that was non-negotiable.

Yes they expect completion to take place on the Friday so funds will have exchanged! I'm going to speak to her first thing. They're saying that they can't move out on a weekday so not sure where that leaves us as I can't agree to that. They do seem like nice people but you never know. Even if we did agree (which I'm not) I wouldn't expect my buyer to. Started looking on Rightmove and Zoopla just in case 🙈

UtterlyQuackers · 28/04/2024 20:16

That sucks @KatVal I hope the EA can talk some sense into them. I swear houses bring out the worst in people.

Hoping to exchange either Monday or Tuesday. There is still an outstanding indemnity policy though. If we don't exchange in the next couple of days we won't be able to move on the date agreed. Our seller needs 2 weeks notice to buy travel tickets. Our buyer does not seem to be in any hurry.

I am going into exam season. Excellent timing, I might actually cry!

LaPalmaLlama · 28/04/2024 20:17

KatVal · 28/04/2024 19:01

I think you're right but it's more the fact that it would legally be our house and may invalidate insurance etc. They seem like nice people but what if a day turns into a couple of days then a week.. the other issue is the fact that we've got a cat and two dogs so it isn't as simple as overnight storage unfortunately. God I hate this process 😩

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I have actually done this myself- I owned the house from the Wednesday but I was buying it to renovate so I gave the vendors (who had 6 children including 4 month old twins) an extra day to move as they were relying on F&F, so they lived in it for a day that I owned it and we got the keys on Thursday evening. You have buildings insurance from exchange anyway. I'm not saying you have to do it but it's probably ok if you do. But yes, pets complicate it.

KatVal · 28/04/2024 20:19

UtterlyQuackers · 28/04/2024 20:16

That sucks @KatVal I hope the EA can talk some sense into them. I swear houses bring out the worst in people.

Hoping to exchange either Monday or Tuesday. There is still an outstanding indemnity policy though. If we don't exchange in the next couple of days we won't be able to move on the date agreed. Our seller needs 2 weeks notice to buy travel tickets. Our buyer does not seem to be in any hurry.

I am going into exam season. Excellent timing, I might actually cry!

Aww that's rubbish, hope you get sorted!

KatVal · 28/04/2024 20:21

LaPalmaLlama · 28/04/2024 20:17

I have actually done this myself- I owned the house from the Wednesday but I was buying it to renovate so I gave the vendors (who had 6 children including 4 month old twins) an extra day to move as they were relying on F&F, so they lived in it for a day that I owned it and we got the keys on Thursday evening. You have buildings insurance from exchange anyway. I'm not saying you have to do it but it's probably ok if you do. But yes, pets complicate it.

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Thank you, it's good to know that it can be done if need be! Did you have a property to sell and if so were your buyers okay with that?

LaPalmaLlama · 28/04/2024 20:40

Hi- sorry- should have clarified- we weren't selling. This was an investment property so buying to renovate and rent out, so doesn't solve your other logistical issues but I think from an insurance POV it isn't insurmountable.

NoWordForFluffy · 28/04/2024 20:41

I'm pretty sure your mortgage company will need to agree, as if they fail to fuck off, they have a financial interest in the house. It's just got to be no!

KatVal · 28/04/2024 20:42

LaPalmaLlama · 28/04/2024 20:40

Hi- sorry- should have clarified- we weren't selling. This was an investment property so buying to renovate and rent out, so doesn't solve your other logistical issues but I think from an insurance POV it isn't insurmountable.

Ahh no probs!

runningmom · 28/04/2024 21:02

Can they go into a hotel for the night?! Or is it that they just can’t physically move their stuff out on a weekday? Maybe they could move it out the Saturday before to a storage container so the next Friday on completion the house is empty and you offer to pay for a hotel for the night then they can move on the Saturday as they want?? Dues that make sense?
people are awful. I was reading on another chat about some FTB who had already got £7.5k from their vendors, were buying cash due to inheritance and days before exchange they were going to ask the vendor to pay the £500 needed for something or other and delay the whole chain. You should have seen the responses!!!!!!
Praying to the gods of moving for good news for all next week. Xxx

trampoline123 · 29/04/2024 10:33

Hello - wanting some advice pretty please.

We had an offer accepted on a house back in early feb and our sellers are still yet to find somewhere. We are chain free but need to be out of our rented flat in august and son starts primary this Sept so we are a bit pushed for time now. We've been quite chilled but think we now need to start viewing other properties.

We don't want to pull out until/if we find something else but should I be upfront with the agent and say we are actively looking or keep it quiet?

FineandDandie · 29/04/2024 16:54

Well, my buyer has pulled out this morning after ten weeks of conveyancing and within touching distance of completion with all enquiries satisfied, etc. Gave reason as an issue with the survey (which she's had for weeks and which is absolutely minor; I'd have reduced the price if asked). We are relocating due to new a baby and urgent childcare needs, and because we were so close to completing and I was so anxious to get shifted, I emptied the flat, relocated to parents', and put things in storage, etc. Now massively, massively up shit creek with an empty flat, everything in storage, living on top of my parents with a baby. Utter gutted and despondent.

ClematisBlue49 · 29/04/2024 17:32

@FineandDandie , I'm so sorry to hear this. Almost certainly the reason the buyer gave is not the truth, or they would have tried to negotiate. Not that it makes a difference to where you are now.

Once the shock has worn off, I hope solutions come to mind so that you can get things moving again. Off the top of my head...

Could you decamp to an AirBnB in the area where you need to be, and meanwhile get most of the furniture back into the flat so that it is staged for re-marketing?

Were any other potential buyers interested in the flat, and could the EA contact them to see if they are still in the market?

You don't mention your onward purchase, but it may be that your seller is prepared to wait.

If it's any consolation, I lost two buyers before completing on my sale last week, and ended up getting a bit more for my house than I was expecting.

FineandDandie · 29/04/2024 17:36

ClematisBlue49 · 29/04/2024 17:32

@FineandDandie , I'm so sorry to hear this. Almost certainly the reason the buyer gave is not the truth, or they would have tried to negotiate. Not that it makes a difference to where you are now.

Once the shock has worn off, I hope solutions come to mind so that you can get things moving again. Off the top of my head...

Could you decamp to an AirBnB in the area where you need to be, and meanwhile get most of the furniture back into the flat so that it is staged for re-marketing?

Were any other potential buyers interested in the flat, and could the EA contact them to see if they are still in the market?

You don't mention your onward purchase, but it may be that your seller is prepared to wait.

If it's any consolation, I lost two buyers before completing on my sale last week, and ended up getting a bit more for my house than I was expecting.

We've moved from England to Scotland and brought all furniture up with us so no chance of getting it back down to re-stage...will just have to show it empty. Did have a previous low-ball offer and the agent has gone back to them because at this point I just want to cut losses!! Waiting to hear if they're still interested. We'd had an offer accepted up here on basis that we were so close to completion but I'll need to let them know our sale has fallen through and the likelihood is they'll go back on the market. Could weep!

ClematisBlue49 · 29/04/2024 17:41

Weeping is perfectly understandable when buying or selling houses...!

Regarding how you show the flat, I was almost in a similar position of having to sell my house empty (I also moved out before completion) and I'm sure my EA said it was OK to use the old photos as long as nothing major had changed.