What are the cons of selling to a neighbour?

[Drenchedjanuary]

I want to sell my ground floor garden flat which I've owned for a decade. My neighbour in the flat above, who is also one of the freeholders (shared freehold), has expressed an interest in buying it to downsize from their place (about two years ago they bought the flat next to theirs and knocked it through (lateral expansion)).

I would like to sell quite soon so I am tempted to see what my neighbour offers, but I am also wary because none of the other freeholders in the building (8 properties) likes this neighbour as they have always proven to be tricky. I am not a huge fan of them either.

My question is: are there any reasons this neighbour could be trying to mess things up for me, e.g. pretending to be interested, but then stalling the sale so that it does not affect the value of their property? Or feigning to downsize when in reality they want to expand their home into my apartment as well (so they're playing the downsize card to offer as low as possible)?

I am not in a chain, but they would be so I feel I could end up in a situation where I am tied into a sale with them but they're pulling all of the strings, e.g. delay tactics and then pulling out.

In short, is it best to ignore any offers from this neighbour and just go through an agent? I would, of course, see what the neighbour has to offer first. It's more about whether I should proceed with them in the first place if the price is right?

I would put the flat on with an EA anyway and then tell your neighbour she is free to book a viewing/make an offer in the normal way.

Then at least the EA will do some basic checks and will negotiate things on your behalf as the sale progresses so it doesn't get too personal.

They have a vested interest. However if they are in a chain, then they are not proceedable
They should understand that.
You say that they need to sell to buy yours but then you say that they may want to expand from their current flat and absorb yours in.

As above, I would use an EA and just tell the neighbour "I'll let you know when it's on with the EA".

Edit: other buyers may appear who are more attractive, in a better position to proceed, offer more etc. and if your neighbour really wants your flat you will get a better price out of them if there is some competition.

Just put everything through EA avoid it getting personal and tell them this that you will not deal direct everything through EA

also there no guarantee that the person you sell it too is any nicer than neighbour

I would ask them what they are offering. Then get some valuations. If they are offering a good deal then you could accept in the condition that they start the process with their solicitor within x amount of time.
If they mess you around then put it on with an EA.
It may work out and save you the EA fees or may not and extend the whole process.