I am thoroughly fed up. The people buying our house brought their daughter along today. She was a right cow. The estate agent has now rung saying that the purchasers are going to pull out of the sale unless we agree to them having a full survey and that we agree in advance to pay for anything that the survey brings to light. It would be a grave folly to agree to that, so I guess that we are back where we were in mid-July, and that we aren't going to be moving to Canada just yet.

They wanted to know what we thought of it immediately, whilst they hang around in a cafe drinking coffee. They can sod off. Think I'll try to get them to pay for the survey anyway.

What a bunch of Bas****s.

You can bet that their estate agent put them up to that one!

It's their bitch of a daughter, I think. They're not selling a property - they have not long been back from Canada. I am pissed off.

Only In England!

So sorry to hear that news....that is a bummer! Don't they sign papers when they first decide to buy the place to make it a binding contract? I would be so pi$$ed off....I wouldn't give in and let them have it! Keep the chin up something good has got to happen!

That's the problem with the system in England and Wales - they can pull out at any time until the contracts are exchanged. Our estate agent is going to speak to them again and try to encourage them to be a bit more reasonable.

Well that explains it - we totally spoiled them!

They're living in bloody Tottenham at the moment. Even Welling, where we live, is an improvement on that.

Yes but so can you! Let them do the full survey, see what it finds - could be nothing- and then decide.

You could always tell them later that you want an extra GBP1 for the extra hassle involved. Dont forget you can change the price too!

Did you have other offers before you accepted this one? You could always ask your agent to start fully marketing the property again and that might just scare the buyers into making a decision.

Do they know that you are headed to Canada - if so they probably think you will agree to anything.

As ever - dont take this as legal advice - seek professional advice.

Good luck


Mrs G

Do they know you are emigrating? If so they will think they can apply pressure on you.

I swear selling a house in Britain becomes more stressful than flamin' landing

Clare

[QUOTE=Rhodes]I am thoroughly fed up. The people buying our house brought their daughter along today. She was a right cow. The estate agent has now rung saying that the purchasers are going to pull out of the sale unless we agree to them having a full survey and that we agree in advance to pay for anything that the survey brings to light. It would be a grave folly to agree to that, so I guess that we are back where we were in mid-July, and that we aren't going to be moving to Canada just yet.


Hi Rhodes,
I know how you feel, our buyer had a survey done last week, and has raised problems with our that do not exist. We only bought the house three years ago and had a full survey done, but they are saying that, amongst other things, the house may contain asbestos! It's total bull***t, but it's a buyer's market at the moment and we think they are using delaying tactics to try to get the price reduced. Hang in there...
Sandy.

That's really annoying and I see it alot as I work at an Estate Agents

If you're up for suggestions I would say is let them have a full survey....they have to pay for it. If it does bring anything to light and you are not prepared and its not in thousands of pounds, then tell them that if they want it you will only accept the offer that they originally gave.

Its tough and you gamble but you may be able to negotiate with them go half (if you want to) but at the same time you then know that if they withdraw you have the info for the next buyer that may come along

After the survey is done speak to your estate agent and see it there were any other interested parties that may have been lurking in the back ground. Some people like their names on a file so that if the sale falls through, they can then step in. If that survey comes up with a large sum for improvements for example £15,000 which would be deductable from your sale price and another previous interested party makes an offer which is only £5,000 less that your original accepted offer, at least you have made some savings (if that makes sense)

One thing, don't ever tell anyone you are desperate to sell, ie Canada move, and tell your Estate Agents not to disclose those details either until the very last when exchange and completion dates are negotiated with your solicitors, its not worth it.

It is about time the Uk got on the same level as Canada reguarding Real Estate. We had a fantastic smooth purchase over here (admittingly we didnt sell anything here) and the agent is now my best friend here. In the Uk I would have quite happily killed the estate agent....and I even told them that!!!!

Where about did they say the asbestos might be? Its just that asbestos was banned in housing projects after a certain date, and your house might not have any.

My mums house was built just prior to 1985 and she had traces of asbestos in the artexing in her ceiling. (new health and safety regulations....a few years ago surveyors were keen on ties in the exterior walls! Next year it will be something else) I think they don't bother with it unless you have a leak from the attic etc or some sort of damage where the ceiling gets damaged then your insurance covers the removal under the damage caused....its just inconvenient thats all

They said it may be in the boiler housing. The house was built in the 1970's, so I suppose it's possible, but if that is the case, then the people who did our survey (3 years ago) should have picked up on it then.