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

[sweetpickle2]

New thread!

We've hit what is hopefully our final snag- upcoming works on the building (that we have negotiated several thousand off the asking price for with our buyers) have sent through an invoice for this quarter's contribution. We've said the buyers are paying that as we've negotiated money off and are not paying twice as we are about to exchange (today supposedly)- the buyers are refusing! So now we're in a stalemate.

It's pretty black and white as far as we're concerned though, so holding firm. So over all this now!

Good for you @sweetpickle2 , they are just trying it on by the sound of it.

I've heard nothing having asked whether my buyer is ready to exchange before the end of the month. It's only a couple of days, but the lack of response is making me feel nauseous... 😣

Chancing their arm, CF!

Yeah I feel quite chill about it as its so obviously black and white in my opinion! Just leaves such a sour taste in the mouth when people try and pull this sort of things last minute.

We've received the searches. It's 30 pages long. Is it normal for a developer to go through 30 pages of searches and confirm they've all been resolved? I just can't imagine them doing this? They're a large well known developer, at the least I'll expect they'll want to charge an extortionate amount, they charged us over £100 a few years ago to write us a letter consenting to us adding a conservatory. I'm feeling like this is going to drag on and on 😩

Our survey warned about lath and plaster ceilings. That's standard, and they are correct to warn you, as such ceilings aren't great- when they do 'go' they tend to 'go' big time and suddenly (I have been standing under one when it did just that) and most lath-and-plaster ceilings are going to be pretty old by now. But that doesn't mean the surveyor thinks you need to panic and replace them, just that you need to be aware they are not as robust as plasterboard ones. We have kept ours as they are (though no way would I take the wallpaper off them however much I hate it as I'm sure it's holding things together and taking it off would be too much of a strain for the plaster) but accept that they may one day need replacing. It ought not to put any sensible, experienced person off any house.
I'd also rather not replace them as it would interfere with the rather nice covings...

Well, I’m so glad I’ve found this thread!

Accepted offer from a cash buyer with no chain mid Nov. Found our dream house early Dec after months of looking. Then after Christmas delays, finally got things moving with conveyancers early Jan.

Our vendor (also no chain) has been great, we’ve had our final report and contract ready, searches back and mortgage in hand. The buyer’s solicitor however has been seriously delaying things. After some pushing we received initial queries 2 weeks ago. Responded straight away, then nothing. Heard today the solicitor is yet to pass on our responses to our buyer (the estate agent did some digging). We’ve also just been told the buyer needs two weeks notice to release their funds.

So yeah, after being told this would be a breeze as no chain either side, I’m at a loss. DS has started his new nursery near the new house (which thankfully isn’t too far away and is cheaper!) as we were reassured this would be done by now. It’s looking more and more like it’ll be an Easter move 🫠

I think our buyers might have the same solicitors @Cocteautwin6 😂

Welcome to the thread!

I think it's usually a good idea, as some people end up with lots of keys floating round with relatives and neighbours and friends, and maybe people working on the house have had them, and you can't be sure you have them all. In our case, it was necessary as one of the vendors was trying to block the sale and at one point seemed like they were coming a wee bit unstuck, if you see what I mean. As the doors (front, back, and 2 patio door ones) were UPVC, Mr Mongoose watched an online video on how to measure, order, and fit the locks and did it himself. Not terribly expensive, IIRC. Local locksmith supplied what he needed, with matching keys.

And mine @sweetpickle2 @BlueMongoose

We responded to the first set of enquiries straight away and then heard nothing for 3 weeks. As a first time seller I naively thought that was it and then they started coming again. What pains me is that these enquiries are coming off the back of the searches so why were they not raised originally? My Easter completion target is looking very unlikely, we've basically packed up the house bar the stuff we're using daily. The thought of living another month plus surrounded by boxes is painful.

@sweetpickle2 we'll definitely be changing the locks on our new house as it's been a rental. Don't know who has keys. Won't be a cheap job either as there's conservatory doors, integral garage and internal door from garage to house plus front door.

It’s such a horrible feeling of uncertainty isn’t it! We’ve not started packing yet, considering using some of our savings to hire a local moving company to pack and help move…

Can I ask when you accepted an offer/had your offer accepted so I can compare timelines @MrsCharlieD ?

@MrsCharlieD of it makes you feel any better we've been living mostly out of boxes since before Xmas (when our exchange date was due and the chain collapsed a day before) and you weirdly get used to it.

The house is easier to clean as there is nothing much to collect dust. Makes me wonder if I really need the stuff in the boxes! But the limbo feeling isn't great.

We've had our hopes raised as everyone in the chain gave a nod to exchanging this week. Now our sellers are saying they are not ready yet. Why, just why!!?

@sweetpickle2 we’ve just had all the locks changed - front door, French doors, kitchen door. I wouldn’t feel secure without it. I think the old lady before us had carers in and family members, so who knows how many keys might be floating about. It was £350 well spent imo.

@MrsCharlieD we're in the same boat, surrounded by boxes with no exchange date in sight. Must admit though I think I could get use to a minimalist lifestyle, less tat to clean! 🙈

@Cocteautwin6 we accepted on our sale 14th December, offer accepted on our purchase 16th December. We instructed solicitors the following week, did the AML checks and got our mortgage offer through all before Christmas. We received all the TA forms a couple of days before Christmas so we worked through all that paperwork over Christmas and returned 2nd jan. Our sale moved at pace at first, now it's dragging. We've been in the enquiries stage now since the middle of January.

@ShittyGlitter yes this is the only bonus that cleaning is much easier. Sorry you're in the same situation. I was so naive going into this after being a FTB last time.

Noted on the locks- will add this into my budget!

Another day, hopefully some good news for people. I’m starting to lose hope there will ever be good news for me! If our buyers hold firm on this payment I don’t know what will happen, as we are simply not paying it.

Wonderful pictures @Jaq27 sunset looks amazing (I cannot wait to get closer to the sea!!)
Good to see you are happy and settling well, despite the unforeseen expenditure.

I think I am now looking at a May completion date according to my seller. That is what her agents told her was likely, so I just have about 5 boxes packed and will attempt more decluttering and be realistic about what furniture to take. I have one item on FB marketplace and could do with a couple more bits going on there probably too... I emailed my solicitor and told them it was all back on last week, asked if there is anything I need to do, but have not had a response yet. I think I was pretty much ready to exchange, but will speak to them hopefully soon to confirm. Also have the job of contacting schools again and hoping for spaces as before...

Good luck today @sweetpickle2 - I think they should pay too and are definitely pulling a fast one there. I hope you exchange today...

Im with you on this @sweetpickle2. They have batted you down on price and now want you to pay their first quarters bill. Without knowing how much this bill is, tell them to stuff it. They will have spent thousands on this by now so its very short sited of them.

I am all done my end. In 20 days i have accepted an offer, had an offer accepted, got a full mortgage application approved, had a lvl 3 survey.

Now it's a waiting game for solicitors to do their thing and pray to the conveyancing gods that our buyers 'with large deposit and an approved mortgage' are not a 🛎️🔚 and delay and delay.

Why is this so stressful just sitting waiting.

Thanks all! We negotiated several thousand pounds off the purchase price for them to cover exactly this, and this bill is about a grand- completely in line and expected with the money that was due to be billed for it. Unfortunate timing that it's come now and not in 2 weeks when we don't live here, but doesn't change much in our view.

Aside from anything else, can't bloody afford to pay it now we've taken so much money off our sale!

Absolute chancers @sweetpickle2 !

Just heard from the solicitors- they're doubling down! Absolutely refusing to pay or negotiate.

I think we're going to lose the whole thing at this point. Cannot believe the cheek.

Whaaaaat!? Are they daft? Maybe you should put the sale price back up!

This is as insane as @noodles44 dropped kerb mental buyers. I cannot believe people would spend £££ on surveys and fees to get to this point and potentially lose it! Who are these people!!!!