At what stage do I arrange a survey on house where vendors haven't found anywhere?

[Fizzylemonade]

We have sold our house 2 weeks ago and surveyor has already been to ours.

House we are buying, we only agreed a price 1 week ago. We know that they are looking for somewhere but we are scared to commit to paying for Homebuyers survey if they never find anywhere to go to and so we never get the house.

Should we wait until they have at least found somewhere? Our buyers are chain free and are aiming for 1st week in February for completion. We would go into rented if forced but would rather buy as we have 2 young children, one of whom will not cope well with the move.

We sold our flat before buying and are facing imminent homelessness! I would definitely try and tie up the sales to avoid this if I were you.

Can you get a sense from the agent as to how seriously they are looking? Have they seen everything in their budget with the agent for example or are they just seeing what they could get Unfortunately there are some speculative sellers in the market that waste a lot of time (and money!) for serious buyers. (Can you tell I am battle weary!)

Ask the agent to find out if they'd be willing to go in to rented if they don't find anything.

Bear in mind that lots of people don't start looking until they have a proceedable offer, as otherwise you see lots of properties you are not able to buy, so they may now just be getting in gear with the house hunt.

I'd give them a couple of weeks then find out their intentions - ie. will they rent until they find somewhere, if they haven't found somewehre by completion? Only then instruct a surveyor - they can usually go in almost immediately if necessary.

Thanks, they have said that they will go into rented if forced but they are relocating so we understand that they are limited as to when they can view any potential properties.

I'm just getting nervous with Christmas looming and either we jump in now and get a survey done or wait and then everyone is on holiday.

I agree Susie that some sellers seem to have their house on the market for the fun of it

They are on with the same agents as us and we know they have started their search. Fingers crossed they find somewhere with no onward chain.