House sale - what would you do?

I would not be comfortable with a string of people in chains, I would accept a lower offer if they were ready to complete quickly.
The stress, especially in the present circumstances, is horrendous when some of the chains break down.
Last year we sold our second home to a man who had several properties in the area knowing that it would become a rental property but he was geared to moving immediately. The previous prospective buyer kept us dithering for months and disclosed, on day of contract signing, that they were bankrupt and were pulling out.

Yes make the state agent work for his money. In 2006 when my husband had just died I was trying to buy a flat in Bath: my EA asked me to get an ATM printout showing the full cash amount for the flat that I had in my bank account from the sale of our house. No proof, no agreement to buy the flat. All went well though...

I have been in exactly this position! I’d get your lawyer or estate agents to set a closing date for Monday and on your behalf let all interested parties know. That’s plenty time for the person who has cash to make up his mind and not long for the others to wait. We got a better offer this way. It may be a risk I know but if you get a cash offer... and if your present potential buyer wants it enough he’ll wait a few days. Good luck. It’s a horrible position to be in - we messed about for almost 3 years and then suddenly the house market went mad. Incidentally now waiting in rented accommodation for completion of new house which was delayed

Luckygirl if they have the cash in their account ready to I would take it. But make sure they are cash buyers as some say they are cash buyers and then find they aren't. Good luck . You deserve something going your way for once.

Make your estate agent earn their money!
Pass this problem onto them!

Having bought and sold many houses we have an expression “buyers are liars”
The majority of agents are not the best.

I had to prove to the agent when I purchased a property that I had the cash!

You should not have this burden, it’s what you pay the agent for.

I tend to agree with Maw.
What is your EA advising? That’s his job!

Luckygirl I would say the house goes to the first party who can come up with a contract/completed chain behind them.
Harsh, but it’s what developers do and this has caused you so much stress you need to put your better nature to one side.
You are not talking about starting a bidding war or gazumping , but your EA needs to make it clear that it is “first past the post”.

Take the offer, its been in the news that house prices this year will be down by 5%, so if you hang on you wont even get the asking price you want.

If I can sell this bungalow quickly enough I think the builder will hang fire on selling the house I want. In a sense he is better off going with me as all the formalities as regards the purchase are done and dusted, but he would have to go back to square one with another purchaser. Of course there would still be delays as my buyer goes through their legal rigmarole.

I am inclined towards bird-in-the-hand too - but it is a gamble, and none of mine have paid off so far!

Lucky, go with your gut instinct. You surely need a bit of luck this time around. All the best.

I'm with the others. Take the offer. ?

Would that mean you could go ahead with the purchase of the house you originally found?

Best of luck here lucky girl - what a stressful time. Yes, probably the bird in the hand.

Snap Oopsadaisy

I always think ‘a bird in the hand’!

A bird in the hand and all that, I would go with the chap who has offered the full asking, but set a date for completion and get him to do surveys etc. PDQ
if he is unwilling to give you a date, then move on to the other viewings.
Hope you have better luck this time.

Sorry - "none" not nine!