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Original poster

Seller won’t accept my offer unless I change solicitor

111 replies

Random100 · 21/07/2024 16:32

First time buyer

Had initial offer rejected. I offered more and this is still under consideration.

I’ve received an email from the estate agent today (who is good friends with the seller apparently) that they both won’t accept offer or work with me at all unless I change my solicitor. Apparently the firm I use has bad reviews. The estate agency has of course recommended I use one of their recommendations (!!)

I’ve been personally recommended my solicitor by two people I know well.

They seem rather pushy and I’ve already had two calls from the EA about it already this afternoon.

OP posts:
PfishFood · 23/07/2024 13:45

I think you might have just discovered why the house hasn't sold in the last 6 months!

If you really want the property I'd go in with one final email of "I stand by my original offer of £xxx,xxx, but I will be appointing a solicitor of my own choosing, based on my own research and recommendations received by others. If this is unacceptable to you, please consider this to be a withdrawal of my offer and I wish you well in finding another buyer who will agree to your conditions."

It doesn't sound to me like they truly want to sell their property if they're willing to risk a conveyancing process that can start now, in exchange for praying for a transaction with a "trusted" solicitor that might be able to get it across the line in a ridiculous 4 weeks.

Lipbalms · 23/07/2024 14:11

I can kind of see where the EA/seller are coming from, although it sounds like they've gone the wrong way about it and the EA sounds rude telling you off!

I'm a first time buyer and have just started the process. My mortgage advisor recommended a solicitor who had mostly good reviews but also some that said communication was poor and that they didn't respond to phone calls and emails for ages. I decided not to use them as their head office was 2 hours away and I knew it would be a nightmare if they didn't respond to me quickly/had shit communication.

I ended up choosing a local firm (5 mins from the new house and 15 mins from where I live now). Reviews were very good and so far my solicitor has been fantastic. It's cost me more (around £200) but for peace of mind it's worth it. I just pray that my seller has a good solicitor too!

You get what you pay for after all.

eurochick · 23/07/2024 14:19

I've bought four houses and never used a solicitor in the same county as the house I was buying or selling. I've always used people recommended to me (and would never touch a conveyancing factory).

The vendor and estate agent are both being ridiculous. The solicitor is there to protect your legal interests through the purchasing process. You need to be happy with who you instruct.

I have a good radar for counterparties that are going to be awful to deal with and this transaction has "nightmare" written all over it.

godmum56 · 23/07/2024 14:19

Random100 · 23/07/2024 13:12

Thinking about it I think the estate agent has made promises to the vendor hence the solicitor drama and not wanting it to be a firm that potentially could take a while. The vendor did make a comment when I viewed that the EA had said he’d get it to completion within four weeks. The vendor then laughed so I did think it was a joke at the time but now I’m thinking maybe it wasn’t…

I am not saying that it never happens that quickly but remember the old saying about having something done fast or having it done right..... also if the EA wants you to use a particular solicitor for the vendor's convenience, that to me is a huge red flag.

JugglingJanuary · 25/07/2024 16:43

Toolittletoolatehmm · 21/07/2024 17:01

When I next come to buy/sell, if I find out anyone in the chain is using the bunch of fucking cowboy conveyancers I used to sell my mum's house last year I would 100% pull the plug on my sale or purchase.

That said, your EA should not be disclosing your solicitor to your buyer. Please please tell me they emailed you this request?

@Toolittletoolatehmm

Ok my naive question of the day... why not??

BlueMongoose · 25/07/2024 20:46

Random100 · 21/07/2024 16:32

First time buyer

Had initial offer rejected. I offered more and this is still under consideration.

I’ve received an email from the estate agent today (who is good friends with the seller apparently) that they both won’t accept offer or work with me at all unless I change my solicitor. Apparently the firm I use has bad reviews. The estate agency has of course recommended I use one of their recommendations (!!)

I’ve been personally recommended my solicitor by two people I know well.

They seem rather pushy and I’ve already had two calls from the EA about it already this afternoon.

I would never ever use a solicitor chosen or recommended by the seller, their agent, or their solicitor. There are lots of things your solicitor need to know which your seller, their agent, and their solicitor have no business whatsoever knowing- even basic things like how much money you have or how big a mortgage you could get if you wanted!

BlueMongoose · 25/07/2024 20:52

Random100 · 23/07/2024 12:27

Trying not to be too outing here but I was told off for using a solicitor firm in the next city along (one I’ve used myself before for other issues and a work colleague also recommended them). The estate agent and vendor want a solicitor from the city we’re in.

I don’t know if this is a game they’re playing but I am drafting up a withdrawal email.

Show quote history

When we bought here, over 100 miles from where we were living, I asked a friend who was a solicitor locally to the house for a recommendation. Their suggestion was excellent, they did a great job. They also handled our sale, which was, of course, over 100 miles away, and were excellent there too. If anyone had tried to bully me about my decision on who I took legal advice from, that would be a big FO from me.

Bunnyasmyname · 26/07/2024 23:25

Random100 · 22/07/2024 13:17

So I have proposed a new slightly reduced offer with me switching to another solicitor firm.

the vendor has accepted my offer but won’t work with me unless I use a local solicitor and not one of these ‘conveyencing firms that are all over the country’

She wants to know the solicitor’s name before she takes the property off the market.

I can completely understand this and think you have done yourself a massive favour and essentially got your legal fees paid for.
Hope all goes well.

Bunnyasmyname · 26/07/2024 23:28

Totally ignore my post! Just read your update. Oh dear. How weird.
You now know why this hasn't sold!!

dollopz · 27/07/2024 09:14

Personally I’d just use one in their chosen city and take the 1.5k off. I’d explain to the estate agent that any more messing about on their part and you’d withdraw your offer.

the2andahalfmillion · 28/07/2024 09:48

I think they are trying to cover something up. Trying to control which sol you use based on how bendable they might be ;)

I would not touch this place with a barge pole. They are going to be nightmare vendors even if they are just barking rather than duplicitous.

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