Vendor not responding to Reduced Offer: How Long to Wait?

[raphaelia]

We accepted an asking price offer from a chain free buyer a month ago, and had an offer accepted on a house that we had previously viewed a few days later. So far so good.

We've now had a level 3 survey, which identified some structural issues. After getting quotes from builders, we have reduced our offer last week, by slightly less than the quotes, as we could see some of the issues beforehand. Since then no-one has been able to get hold of the vendor. The estate agent and solicitor have both not heard back from them.

How long do you think we should wait? Our buyer has had a survey done, which seem fine AFAIK, and they have their mortgage offer through. I'm concerned that if we are starting from scratch on another house, we risk delaying our buyer, if this goes on much longer. The buyer's solicitor was already stalling, and has sent absolutely nothing to our solicitor despite being chased.

I'd be viewing other houses.

It's not just the change of offer price, it's the fact they haven't done what they need to do for the solicitors either.

How long has it been that they haven’t been in touch with their solicitors?
I had an offer accepted, no chain, I’d already sold, cash buy, wanted to complete quickly as stamp duty relief (this was during the pandemic) was about to end. Survey done then nothing. Finally his solicitor said after over two weeks silence that he was pulling out. Maddening.
Start looking as this seller doesn’t seem in much of a hurry.

This. It doesn't seem like your sellers really want to sell @raphaelia

I would tell the EA you need a response from them by the end of the week or you will be viewing other properties (and mean it).

The solicitors have had documents from the vendor for at least 2 weeks we think, they've just not passed anything on to our solicitors. I did press the estate agents about this already, who tried to chase them up but to no avail. I'm guessing the solicitors have been prioritising the March stamp duty deadline work. They said they will get something to us this week.

However the seller has also not responded to some other emails sent by their estate agent over 2 weeks ago (about furniture she wanted to sell us, and other queries). The EA thinks they are very keen to sell, as they moved out some time ago and want to release the money they have tied up in the house. But even they can see why we are getting concerned. We've started lining up viewings for next week, but it is disappointing, I'd mentally invested in this house and it is hard to let it go.

First post should read "Vendor's solicitor was already stalling" not buyer's.