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Original poster

Had enough of this

26 replies

Snugmummy · 07/03/2024 18:59

So this morning we secured our dream house. And then this afternoon…our buyers have said that they are ‘having a think’ and will let the estate agents know on Monday is they will proceed . Bloody Monday! They are going to leave us the whole weekend not knowing if we can actually move forward with the new house. I’m sooo angry and upset. Why would you put an offer in if you’re not absolutely sure you want it? They’ve had 2 viewings and were absolutely gushing about literally everything, and now they’re unsure. Beyond fed up with the whole process!

OP posts:
PossumintheHouse · 07/03/2024 19:02

I bet they come back to you with a lower offer. Arsehole tactic. Don’t fall for it.

Tupster · 07/03/2024 19:17

In those circumstances, can you ask the estate agent to remarket the house? You might at least get some viewings over the weekend. I don't think you owe it to people who are "having a think" to not market the property.

Papricat · 07/03/2024 19:21

Have they booked survey & solicitor? If not, they have no skin in the game and will likely drop out. Better to cut your losses early and find a didicated buyer.

LightSwerve · 07/03/2024 19:23

Ask the agent to relist the house.

Don't wait around for them.

Tell the agent to tell them it is back on the market.

Aaron95 · 07/03/2024 19:33

How dare someone want to take a weekend to consider the biggest purchase they will ever make?

They have said they will tell you on Monday. In the timescales of buying houses that's not a long time to wait.

LightSwerve · 07/03/2024 19:37

Aaron95 · 07/03/2024 19:33

How dare someone want to take a weekend to consider the biggest purchase they will ever make?

They have said they will tell you on Monday. In the timescales of buying houses that's not a long time to wait.

They can think about it without pissing about - they're being arses.

I thought about the purchase of my last house for the whole time up to exchange - but i didn't need to announce it.

These buyers are messing about.

sbplanet · 07/03/2024 19:37

Yep as the other posters say, get on to your EA and tell them to get some viewings for you for the weekend and tell the 'buyers' what you're doing.
They might realise it's not a game and they could lose the property.

ALLthecheeses · 07/03/2024 19:39

Get the property back on the market. Maybe consider doing an open house for a couple of hours one week day afternoon.

NewFriendlyLadybird · 07/03/2024 19:46

We’ve had that so many times. We don’t take the house off the market now, and won’t until we get to the point of issuing a memorandum of sale. I think people are being ultra cautious and have a sort of reverse FOMO. If they wait a little longer, something better and cheaper will come on to the market …

DrySherry · 07/03/2024 20:05

Sounds like you might need to prepare for a revised offer. You can't really be too critical of people wanting to be absolutely sure they are paying a fair price (to them). Particularly when you consider, in the budget small print yesterday, the government fessed up that they expect mortgage rates to stay "above 4%" for the next 5 or so years. It's tough enough to buying without overpaying by mistake. Cross your fingers it's not a big reduction they ask for, if your confident your selling price is achievable again you can always refuse. If your not so confident you can always try passing the cost up the chain. I know it's not pretty but it's happening a lot at the moment and doesn't look like getting any better.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 07/03/2024 21:21

I know it's extra hassle and expense, but I would always sell the existing house and have a short-term rental (Air BnB, most stuff in storage) if possible. Might be worth considering if this sale falls through, if there's any way you can afford it.

Yes, you have to pay for storage and two moves, but you don't get bumped into accepting a lower offer, just to avoid losing the property you want to buy. So, over all, I think you usually save money, and you are in a far stronger bargaining position with your buyers. A chain is just a nightmare.

Tupster · 07/03/2024 21:56

Aaron95 · 07/03/2024 19:33

How dare someone want to take a weekend to consider the biggest purchase they will ever make?

They have said they will tell you on Monday. In the timescales of buying houses that's not a long time to wait.

They had all the time in the world to think before they made an offer.

Popquizzer · 07/03/2024 22:44

It sounds like they could be interested in another property and are waiting to see if their offer will be accepted on that. You could be their back up.

hannahcolobus · 07/03/2024 23:15

This reply has been withdrawn

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

Original poster
Snugmummy · 08/03/2024 07:12

the market isn’t too bad around here , but they offered just under our asking price , which we were surprised at, and would’ve gone lower if they’d asked tbh.
it’s the leaving us to worry over the weekend that I personally think is a dick move- they could still give us the same decision on Monday without us needing to worry for 3 days! And call me old fashioned but I do my research & major decision making before I put an offer in on someone’s home, it’s such a stressful time anyway, no one needs any more!

OP posts:
crew2022 · 08/03/2024 07:18

They won't be thinking about your feelings. Only if they want to worry you into accepting lower. Otherwise they won't think about your feelings only theirs.
Maybe they have realised they should have offered lower?
Unfortunately this shit happens all the time (we've moved about every 8 years and had some bad experiences).
As others have said, did they already spend any money on your house? Survey etc? Because if not they are less invested.

I am a believer in fate and if you're meant to get your next house then another buyer will be along. Otherwise I always tell myself it wasn't meant to be and start looking again.

Original poster
Snugmummy · 08/03/2024 07:35

That’s how I’m feeling this morning- if it’s meant to be it will be! No surveys done yet so bracing ourselves for looking for a new buyer.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 08/03/2024 08:20

Sorry you are feeling stressed @Snugmummy house buying & selling is so nerve racking. But I have to admit I do understand the feeling of offering on a house & then having second thoughts like did we overpay? Can we really afford it? Etc

It’s better that your buyers are honest with you now about how they are feeling and ask for a short pause while they really consider things before the deal moves further and people start incurring more costs.

I don’t think it’s necessarily a ruse to then reduce the price, I think they could be 100% genuine about feeling like it’s all moving too fast for them and they want to put the breaks on. Maybe they will make a lower offer I don’t know, but I do feel it’s better to raise concerns now than just before exchange of contracts. See what they have to say on Monday and then make a decision on what to do next.

JamesPringle · 08/03/2024 08:26

I think they're sly. If they're revising their decision over the weekend, what possible reason could they have in telling you this? Except to panic you into preparing for a revised, lower offer? If it was me, and I was rethinking an offer I'd made, I wouldn't mention it until I'd come to some sort of decision.
Hugs to you OP.

Original poster
Snugmummy · 08/03/2024 08:27

Definitely agree- I’d rather they pull out now than later

OP posts:
TeeBee · 08/03/2024 08:31

Definitely relist the house. It'll show them you won't be messed around and will make sure you don't miss any potential new viewings. You've got nothing to lose by doing it.

TeeBee · 08/03/2024 08:32

I agree that they're just trying to force a lower offer. You'd just wait until the survey came back and negotiate on the basis of that, surely.

CountryCob · 08/03/2024 11:25

I would put it back up for sale too, it’s ok for them to have a think but they can’t expect the property to be waiting for them. Why tell the estate agent they are having a think? If they are reconsidering then they can do that privately without playing games

friendlycat · 08/03/2024 12:28

Sadly I think they are softening up the process to then pull out. Otherwise you would just think privately without informing the EA that you are doing so. You would tell the EA you have had a change of mind after thinking about it all.

It could also be a ploy for a reduced offer. But it does smack of game playing.

If it were me I would be asking for my house to be remarketed.

sbplanet · 08/03/2024 12:46

Snugmummy · 08/03/2024 08:27

Definitely agree- I’d rather they pull out now than later

As a PP said they could be looking at or offering on another property. Or going back to you with a lower offer.
Just tell your EA to get some more viewing as you only agreed to an offer below asking as you thought they would move the deal quickly - they aren't.
Don't wait for them any longer, you be in charge of the process. If they are keen that will make them think twice, or at least make their mind up.

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