[Cardy]

Hello everyone we should have been leaving for NZ 14th/15th Jan but our house buyer has pulled out right at the last minute . WORDS FAIL ME. We have packed in our jobs ,said our goodbyes and now were stuck. I,m seriously going to have a look at our options. I cant decide whether or not to go and start work and leave the family here or try for a quick resale and all go together. My heads all over at the moment . You ought to be able to sue people who pull out at the last minute with no warning or good reason weve wasted 10 weeks it could have been on sale . Has anybody else had this happen ? What did you do ? how did you deal with it. I could really do with some good advice.
DEVESTATED PAUL, BEV ,AND KIDS :(

[kiwidebs]

Paul and Bev

My heart sunk as I read your post. Unfortunately, it's not the first time since I started posting on this forum that I've read similar stories:no . It is also one of the reasons why hubby isn't chucking in his job till we've exchanged - we've asked for a four week period between exchange and completion to cover this.
Something really needs to be done to the way houses are sold in England cos this happens too often. You guys must be sooo gutted. I'm really sorry it happened to you, hope you find a new buyer quickly.

Debs

[Smiler]

Paul Bev and kids

My heart sank too as I read, I'm so sorry this can happen to you. It does make me mad and I'm sure your head must be all over the shop.

It is easy for me to be practical from here, so if I just throw a few suggestions into the pot, please don't take offence. It's just my thoughts :yes

1. Carry on with your plans, leave someone in charge of the house, can you afford to do this?

2. Rent it out sharpish, adjust your plans here, to renting at first?

3.Come on alone first and as much as I didn't want OH to come without me, to secure his job, this is what we would have done.

3. Just all come anyway :nice1 Your plans so far are made, carry them through as far as you can.

I'm sure I'll think of something else and someone who has experienced it will help too.

Write down your options some things don't look so bad then, and shout out if you want opinions from this mob.


Good luck and BIG hugs


D x x

[K&CS]

How can anyone do that? Was it your buyer's fault or did the chain fall apart? They must have known what your plans were - what reason did they give? I think Deborah's given very good advice. Just give yourself a day or too to readjust and then decide what you can afford to do. One note of comfort is that the housing market does seem to be picking up a bit, but I don't suppose that really helps you right now.

Let us know how you get on. I really don't understand the reason the English system is as it is - they've been talking about changing it for years, but nothing happens.

My thoughts are with you.

Kate

[wilson182]

Hi Guys
What do you have set up over here already? Do you have a job or where you coming over to look for work? You could always look to renting the house with an agent. I think (and you would have to check this out) that they can offer a six month contract with the option for you to put it on the market after that time. You then have to give the tenents one or two month notice to leave. This would help you to cover the mortgage whilst over here. You could also come over yourself, and have the family follow you when the house is sold. This is similar to what we did, but we rented the house whilst over here and have just sold it.
Sometimes things happen for a reason, and hopefully in this case it means that something much better is just round the corner for you. We were lucky when we sold our house, our buyers were first time buyers and the whole process took just 8 weeks or so. (I think it only took that long because of the time to post documents between uk and nz)

[zardell]

I don't know what to say to you that hasn't already been said. I just wanted you to know how much sadness I feel for you.

I know it won't come as much consolation to you at the moment, but lets hope that fate is playing her hand and that there is a good reason for all that is happening right now.

Whatever path you decide to take regarding your future plans, will be the right one for you all.

You've each other - nothing can interfere with that and OK, things haven't gone according to plan, but if you treat it as a setback, I'm sure that things will come right in the end.

Yeah, I know its easy for me to say, because I'm not the one that has to deal with it, but you'll get through all this - you know you will.

Take care,

Julie

x

[Pamela]

OMG
I really am gutted for you, we too are hoping to go this month and I have left work but hubby has not till we get exchange, This house selling lark and time wasters are the most depressing thing that I have ever experienced in my life, Our house was on the market for 1 year and we found a buyer in the end but like you we had people pull out on us for one reason or another, And I have spent many a night sobbing my eyes out.

Many people on this forum have gone down the same road, frustration anger and lots more emotions as far as the housing lark goes,

It will happen for you and things will get better because at the end of the day they cannot get any worse, Just remember what goes around comes around, I know that you do not want to hear this but trust me it will happen please do not give up.

Pam x

[Cardy]

Thanks guys for the ideas and kind thoughts. The buyer wasnt in a chain and she asked us to take it off the market when she put her offer in as she really wanted it ,she seemed really nice and genuine so we trusted her,thats taught me a big lesson i wont be so trusting again . Even up to thursday she was still talking to us and even asked if we would take out an indemnity gaurantee for the new windows as she wasnt happy with there certificate, it was only £35 so i said no problem just give us a completion date. today at 17.45 we got some cock and bull story why she was withdrawing so why mess us about with the indemnity thing i cant believe it i,m fuming. i have some job offers in NZ but i really didnt want to go without the family i have some spare cash but even if i rented the house here i dont think i could keep both sides going. But i,m going to try and CALM DOWN and have a think over the weekend. Another annoying thing was i had the car for sale on e bay and have just had to withdraw it as i will need it now and i,m getting e.mails left right and centre from would be bidders demanding to know why i have withdrawn , thats all i need. We wanted to get the kids in school for the start of the new term in NZ and now thats out of the window too . And i,ve got to go to there school here monday now to tell the teachers there not leaving . Any way thanks for helping me get it off my chest i,ll stop waffling and feeling sorry for myself now . Like some of you said maybe something better will come of it . I,ll keep you all posted
Paul Bev And Kids :)

[kiwidollie]

So sorry to hear you're having to go through this crap. This is my worst nightmare! We are due to go in Feb and I can't relax and believe that the sale will go to completion without a hitch. The house buying/selling system in this country is so stupid - once someone has agreed to buy/sell a house that agreement should be legally binding.

Fingers crossed that you sell quickly and things go well for you.

Alison x

[Smiler]

Paul

It's ok, you're in a panic and you are not waffling. This is the brill thing about here, we can rant and rave and feel better ( eventually)

Some more thoughts ;)

Write to your buyer, tell her exactly what you think,rant & rave call her everything under the sun THEN TEAR IT UP. You'll feel heaps better sooner, having got that part off your chest and then able to concentrate on the more important things.

I assume your tickets are booked for next weekend?

You could do as Hannah and John are doing. Come over, see how you get on get a job etc, you have an escape route if they are return tickets.

How would your house rent out? Would it cover the mortgage? Can you manage here with a job and tightened purse strings for a while? How firm are your job offers?

Do you have some one you really trust that could look after the house sale/rent in conjunction with an agent? The spring time house sales seem to be picking up. What does your agent think your chances of resale are?

I'm sure you are thinking of all these things but they are my 2 pennies/cents worth just in case.

Hang on in there. We're thinking of you all.

D x

[Al_S]

Not sure how it works in your part of the world but to just walk away from a deal without a "legal" reason can easily land you in a lot of trouble here in Ontario. There are conditions you put into an offer (financing, building inspection, subject to the sale of one's existing property, etc.) that give you opportunities to walk away from a deal if not met but if you just decide not to go for it because "your cat said so" does not cut it. There is the initial deposit that you'd lose and then the seller could very well sue you! Check your legal rights.
All the best.
Al

[kiwidebs]

Unfortunately, in England, nothing is signed and no money (deposit) exchanged until right near the end! It means several nasty things can happen - anyone can walk out of the situation at any time even after investing alot of time and money, you can be gazumped (lovely word that means someone else can walk in and offer more money even after you've spent time and money on searches etc and get the house) or you can be gazundered (which means the buyer turns round just before contracts are exchanged and says I'm only going to pay 'x' amount which is £5000 or so less than had been agreed - after 3 months of going thru the sales process it is often accepted!!). House buying/selling in England can be a nightmare!

Debs

[pleccy2000]

Man that sucks.

Maybe selling you could have moved into a rental 6 months before you panned to leave. That would have acted like a buffer.

[Biddy]

Realy sorry to hear of your news - the title of the thread sums it up perfectly I'm sure.
We spent 4 weeks of nail biting agony selling our house/business - tickets booked, packers came and went with all our possessions, had our leaving do etc BEFORE we exchanged. We were supposed to have exchanged 4 weeks before completion but in the end it was 5pm the night before completion. Our buyer went into 'radio silence' and couldn't be contacted. To say we were pulling our hair out was an understatement. Add to that the fact that we got shafted to the tune of £20K - my trust in the British system is very low!
Once you get here- and I'm sure you will - you'll find the Kiwi way is so much better on the nerves.

[Al_S]

Thanks for explaining things as they happen in England in real estate. Boy, its like the wild west! And I thought we in Canada follow the case law as it evolved primarily in Britain. Good luck anyways, hope it works out for you in the end

[jubjub]

I have said it many times on here, never trust a buyer, no matter how nice they seem! We were lucky and knew quickly as we were in the scottish system which gets the legal side sewn up pretty quick, but its still gutting when someone messes you about, and if they have not signed anything, tough on you. I have lost count the amount of folks on this forum that have been affected by this..

Have a search through Diny's posts about her house sale, may give you some ideas, and a feeling that you are not alone, but it all worked out for her in the end, and it will work out for you too.

Let off steam over the weekend, have a few :cheers and get back onto your agent first thing Monday and get them back on the phones finding viewers for you, and good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Avalon]

Some more thoughts ;)

Write to your buyer, tell her exactly what you think,rant & rave call her everything under the sun THEN TEAR IT UP. You'll feel heaps better sooner, having got that part off your chest and then able to concentrate on the more important things.


So true. And it really works. I did this for a particularly hideous problem we were going through - it was so good to get it all out.

Paul,

Really theres not much else to say except {{{{BIG HUGS}}}}, and i think most people on here can empathise. Its not just a house sale, its the start of your new life this woman is screwing up.

We were sooooo close to this happening to us - its an awful feeling.

I can only hope the best for you, and that you get a new buyer as quick as possible.

[dawn]

I don't have anything to add as everyone has given great advice, I just wanted to wish you luck, I hope you get it all sorted and your dreams come true.

[Cardy]

Thanks Dawn and everybody else for the good wishes . were getting into fighting mode now we wont be down long.When we get to NZ we will have a party and your all invited. Hopefully you wont have to wait long for the invitations.
Cheers From the determined new kiwis :cheers

[kiwidollie]

That's the spirit Cardy!!!


It'll happen for you I'm sure. And the way to think about the nasty b.tch who pulled out of the deal is what goes around comes around..... she'll get hers one of these days.



ooo er... I'm scaring myself now - I'm not usually a violet person but all this stress is bring out the worst in me!!!


Alison x

[zardell]

Party ??? Party did you say ??? :clap :clap :clap

It'll be the biggest and best party ever and we'll all be there with a little drink in our hands, toasting your good health and looking back on today and laughing..........honest !!

Julie

x

[Cardy]

Hope so that would be nice . Were getting our act together now ,house is back on market. Going to solicitors and estate agents monday to see if there is anything we havent thought of. Looks like Bev can have her job back temporarily so things on the move . But i,ll look forward to planning the party for all the forum members most of all. THAT IS GONNA BE ONE BIG EVENT, hangovers gauranteed.
Paul, Bev, Kids :D

[Hannah]

Hi Paul & Bev,

Have you thought about renting at all? this would give you a long term investment interest in the UK as well as giving you somewhere to return to (and a means of getting back!) if you ever decide to return. We've decided we will do this if we decide to stay in NZ. we are aware of people who've moved to NZ and have said they regret selling because UK prices have risen at higher rate than NZ and they can't afford to ever go back . This would also give you some space to allow the housing market to recover so you could sell at a later date when you are sure NZ is right for you. You may need to make a trip back to UK later to sort house out for sale (giving you an excuse to visit family/friends) or i'm sure a sale can be arranged from abroad.

Just a thought. I know some people on this forum have chosen to rent their houses out for precisely the above reasons. Keep your chin up whatever happens. Getting PR was your biggest hurdle, and you've done that!

Hannah

[Cardy]

Hi Paul & Bev,

Have you thought about renting at all? this would give you a long term investment interest in the UK as well as giving you somewhere to return to (and a means of getting back!) if you ever decide to return. We've decided we will do this if we decide to stay in NZ. we are aware of people who've moved to NZ and have said they regret selling because UK prices have risen at higher rate than NZ and they can't afford to ever go back . This would also give you some space to allow the housing market to recover so you could sell at a later date when you are sure NZ is right for you. You may need to make a trip back to UK later to sort house out for sale (giving you an excuse to visit family/friends) or i'm sure a sale can be arranged from abroad.

Just a thought. I know some people on this forum have chosen to rent their houses out for precisely the above reasons. Keep your chin up whatever happens. Getting PR was your biggest hurdle, and you've done that!

HannahThanks Hannah were working on a few ideas now we have got over the initial shock, and i,ve got a meeting with the solicitor and estate agent on monday. :nice1

[jo b]

Paul,

this happened to a friend of ours 3 days before he was due to fly out. He had arranged to exchange and complete within a day or so and then the buyers pulled out.

They still went to NZ with the house back on the market, signed a power of attorney for his father-in-law to do the sale and the thing is they got a new buyer pretty much soon after.

My husband also went out for 13 weeks, came home for 2 weeks and now we are all off tomorrow. The 13 weeks dragged and towards the end it was hellish but we got through it because our relationship was strong enough.

I really do hope you get a buyer quick but don't sell short because you are desperate hang in there for it's true value.

I hope you can come to a decision as this must be really tough on you.

Our thoughts are with you.

Cheers

Jo & Ian

[Cardy]

Paul,

this happened to a friend of ours 3 days before he was due to fly out. He had arranged to exchange and complete within a day or so and then the buyers pulled out.

They still went to NZ with the house back on the market, signed a power of attorney for his father-in-law to do the sale and the thing is they got a new buyer pretty much soon after.

My husband also went out for 13 weeks, came home for 2 weeks and now we are all off tomorrow. The 13 weeks dragged and towards the end it was hellish but we got through it because our relationship was strong enough.

I really do hope you get a buyer quick but don't sell short because you are desperate hang in there for it's true value.

I hope you can come to a decision as this must be really tough on you.

Our thoughts are with you.

Cheers

Jo & Ian
I went out for nearly 3 weeks and really missed wife and kids so dont want to go without them if i can help it but i will if i have too. but weve got a few ideas together now and what you have suggested is one of them my dad would do that for us . Im sure we,ll be there soon and you will all be invited to the celebration Paul Bev And Kids :nice1

[veronica]

As someone said at the start of this thread this is a familiar story.

Having bought and sold 6 houses, some straightforward and some with hiccups, I would say there is a tremendous difference between having a buyer and selling your house. Its not sold til the money is in your hands ( or at least until the deposit is with the solicitor).

Our own feelings on anything like this is to leave it on the market until exchange and only take it off the listings then.

Really feel for you guys, and can't think of anything to suggest that hasn't been said already, it does work out in the end. take care.

[katandbob]

I agree with what Smiler has written, take it from someone who has been there b4 -we are now on this path because we had the same thing happen to us 15yrs ago when we were Emigratin to AUS - we always regretted lettin a little thing as a house sale stand in our way, write your options down, decide how you'd feel when the visas run out... and then if it means one of you going first and you taking one of the options below. then its better than havin a lifetime of regrets and what might have been!

Fingers xd and all my best wishes, HUGS etc...for you all......

Kat x

Paul Bev and kids

My heart sank too as I read, I'm so sorry this can happen to you. It does make me mad and I'm sure your head must be all over the shop.

It is easy for me to be practical from here, so if I just throw a few suggestions into the pot, please don't take offence. It's just my thoughts :yes

1. Carry on with your plans, leave someone in charge of the house, can you afford to do this?

2. Rent it out sharpish, adjust your plans here, to renting at first?

3.Come on alone first and as much as I didn't want OH to come without me, to secure his job, this is what we would have done.

3. Just all come anyway :nice1 Your plans so far are made, carry them through as far as you can.

I'm sure I'll think of something else and someone who has experienced it will help too.

Write down your options some things don't look so bad then, and shout out if you want opinions from this mob.


Good luck and BIG hugs


D x x