England's house-selling system

[Robatron]

the above is said in jest, but a guy I used to work with actually did something exactly along these lines after the seller backed out on him...... and it worked! Better still, because they were (a) now desperate to sell and (b) had screwed my mate over the first time, they had to accept my mate's offer of £5K less than the price agreed first time round. revenge was sweet!

Now thats enough for a few car mods

Sorry to hear of your problems Dan. The area we live in is expensive and most reasonably priced houses are *****holes! But there is always one about and I hope you guys find that place.

Congratulations on the Baby thats on the way.

Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to see you driving around the Twickenham area, not on a match day ofcourse. The havok that causes is unreal!

[curlyks2]

And yes, I am having a baby

Congratulations!

Completely with you on the whole property buying front. Bought my (first) place earlier this year. I can understand now why estate agents, solicitors, and other people in the process have such a bad name. Surveyor wasn't too bad though. Had a total nightmare. Very nearly decided to say "**** it" and continue renting.

Ck.

[S2central.net]

The house huying system in Britain is utterly flawed (Except in Scotland which has its own weirdness mind you). Unscrupulous estate agents, solicitors and surveyors can really mess up your life - but the real kicker is there is very little comeback when they mess up. Sure you can go to the various ombudsman folk but from what I've heard that is another long painful nightmare.

@Dan B - I feel your pain on the stress here. We moved into a house 3 weeks before our first child was born. It is NOT something I would like to repeat. Then I lost my job four months later... but hey it all worked out in the end. These things have a way of doing that.


Cheers,

Paul

[dan_b]

I just find it so dishonest - the system seems to bring out the worst in people, let alone having to deal with all the hangers-on like the estate agents and conveyancing solicitors etc, and don't get me started on the iniquities of Stamp Duty etc. :bash:

Got new viewings booked for tonight and tomorrow, it all starts again...

I was just hoping to have got moved in at least a month before the baby is due...

[AL80]

Agree 100%.

I used to be an estate agent in South London, on average at least 50% of the sales agreed would go sour, quite often right at the last minute, and you cannot take any legal action against other parties until contracts have been exchanged.

You might possibly be able to sell your survey results if a new buyer offers on the house you were buying, but this happened very rarely.

Scotland definately has it right, as does France - property sales are agreed over dinner and a handshake, and the legal process is dealt with in just a few days.

Please note, I said I USED to be an estate agent

[90quattrocoupe]

don't get me started on the iniquities of Stamp Duty etc...

We had a thing call Stamp Duty, once. Got rid of the whole Government......I think it was around 1776 or so......



Greg W.

[curlyks2]

Got new viewings booked for tonight and tomorrow, it all starts again...

Good luck. Hope you find something soon.

I got the keys to the current place about 4 months ago. Yesterday the solicitor rang... "xyz has just happened, we've sorted it, but you owe us another £60".



Ck.

[S2central.net]

We had a thing call Stamp Duty, once. Got rid of the whole Government......I think it was around 1776 or so......



Greg W.

Nice one !!!

[dan_b]

Got shown round a few properties last night - the agent had an A4 Avant 3.0 quattro. Very impressive car. Made me think twice about keeping the s2...