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Original poster

Would you consider this?

11 replies

kirinm · 15/04/2025 12:37

We are pretty desperate at this stage. We’ve had an offer accepted on a house but weren’t told the truth at the outset (that is a probate sale but some of the beneficiaries live in it and need to buy a house) so what was meant to be a tricky but quick sale is now a tricky and not even moving and unsure if it ever will sale.

We ended up pulling out of a purchase in October last year. The seller was a bit jittery and he was expecting too much for his house. The survey was pretty bad and we had to reduce our offer. He didn’t accept it. He took it off the market and it has sat empty ever since.

Now that we’ve had another 6-7 months trying to buy and realising how tricky it is, I’m wondering whether it’s worth me popping a letter through the door and seeing if he still wants to sell. We are far away enough from the previous agreement for him not to have to pay any agent fees, we’ve got a mortgage offer, have had the survey and can move very quickly. He’s got an empty house.

Is the idea ridiculous? We pulled out for a reason but given how difficult the market is, we are facing similar issues on everything. He’d probably say no anyway but at the same time, if he says no, it’s no big deal?!

OP posts:
BigDahliaFan · 15/04/2025 12:39

It might be the push he needs to make a decision. All he can say is no, or ignore you.

Original poster
kirinm · 15/04/2025 12:43

I feel like we should. We both had massive regrets about pulling out although ultimately thought we had probably made the right decision as the seller seemed flakey. Now that we’ve only found one other house to offer on and it’s proving to be a nightmare, I’m starting to regret the decision more and more everyday!

OP posts:
Nerdippy · 15/04/2025 14:49

No not ridiculous at all. Obviously it's up to him whether he says yes or no, but until you ask you will never know!

Has probate been granted on the property you are currently purchasing?

It definitely doesn't sound very good that there are people living in it. Do they want to buy another property, do you think, or are they potentially going to be difficult to evict?

Original poster
kirinm · 15/04/2025 14:55

Haven’t even been able to establish what is going on with probate. My solicitor has been trying to find out via their solicitor but hasn’t been able to get a response. This is one of the reasons I say the sale is barely moving!

At least one person needs to find somewhere to move to (and his family). We’ve been told they’d go into rented but ultimately long term they need to buy.

I’m furious for believing the lies we’ve been told. We knew all of it could be rubbish but we fell for it anyway 🙄

OP posts:
Fredthekitty · 15/04/2025 14:59

You've got nothing to lose by getting in touch. In fact, many years ago I bought a house that I actually pulled out of previously. I regretted the decision and when it came back in the market a few months later they did accept my offer. Although, I don't think they marked it as sold in case I did it again.

Are you going to pay what he wanted or are you hoping that he will take the lower offer?

Nerdippy · 15/04/2025 15:46

kirinm · 15/04/2025 14:55

Haven’t even been able to establish what is going on with probate. My solicitor has been trying to find out via their solicitor but hasn’t been able to get a response. This is one of the reasons I say the sale is barely moving!

At least one person needs to find somewhere to move to (and his family). We’ve been told they’d go into rented but ultimately long term they need to buy.

I’m furious for believing the lies we’ve been told. We knew all of it could be rubbish but we fell for it anyway 🙄

If you can input some basic information into the following link, you should see whether probate has been granted. If no results, then assume it hasn't been yet. Do you know if a solicitor is dealing with the probate application or is one of the family dealing with it?

Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales)

Search online for a will, grant of representation or probate document for a death in or after 1858

https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

Original poster
kirinm · 15/04/2025 17:33

Yeah we know they don’t have probate. It’s been going on for 18 months so far. EA initially said it’s the end of March and then April but they have no idea since they’ve not spoken to the probate solicitor.

OP posts:
lemonwrighty · 15/04/2025 17:59

If you had massive guilts about pulling out, maybe it was the wrong decision despite what the survey said. Surveyors are known to cover their backs and will list everything they can but at the same time these issues can save you thousands if you don’t see them on viewing. I don’t see any harm in writing a letter expressing your interest to re-buy the property, maybe mention the survey report scared you and that you made the wrong decision in pulling out. It’s also a good opportunity to see what their situation is at this moment. You could also be saving them thousands in EA fees by going direct if they’re out of contract.

Original poster
kirinm · 15/04/2025 18:48

The survey didn’t scare us. We could see most of the issues - but it did make us think we’d offered too much. Now I’m at a stage where I’d probably pay the extra just to get the process done! We are wasting time in a rental (since we sold our place).

OP posts:
lemonwrighty · 16/04/2025 09:06

I think your gut instincts is mostly right, if you feel guilty about pulling out it probably is the house for you, and it’s not purely because you can’t find anything else suitable for you. Was your price reduction quite a significant amount? Could they meet you in the middle with reducing the price or maybe 40/60?

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