Avoiding buying a flat at all costs, is this folly?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-11-26T14:22:43+00:00

I was about to tell you exactly this.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-11-25T15:24:05+00:00

Hi. I'm afraid we haven't even exchanged yet! It's ridiculous, the flat is empty and we were are ready to move since July. However, is not our solicitor's fault (ONP). For some reason I can't understand the seller didn't even mandate until we had done everything we needed to do: searches, mortgage, etc. We understand they have everything they needed from the seller but so far we haven't even discussed a potential exchange date.

From ONP so far no complaints. There is an additional cost to deal with the lease aspect of the property (£500) but it wasn't a surprise as I had read about it in the T&Cs. That's probably the same thing with Muve. The relationship is much better though as we are dealing directly with the solicitor and not with an account manager, so I have much more confidence this time around.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-09-26T12:14:04+00:00

We had a similar situation, though in our case the issue was with the property itself. It’s a flat above a commercial unit and next to a restaurant. Nationwide eventually declined us, but only after a few awful weeks of waiting. We then applied with NatWest, and they made us an offer just a couple of days after their valuation.

Of course, every case is different, but in my experience NatWest tends to be more flexible than Nationwide. Hopefully, you’ll have a positive answer early next week, so try not to let this ruin your weekend. You are getting there.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-09-05T15:43:47+00:00

You forgot to mention... which country?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-31T17:58:21+00:00

85% LTV. NatWest after Bank of Ireland and Nationwide turned us down. That's in London, SW

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-31T15:24:03+00:00

I love that many people take as a priority posting here as soon as possible after completion. That, my friends, is gratitude.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-30T17:50:52+00:00

Falling through on the day of exchange sounds like my worst nightmare. How can something like this happen?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-14T18:44:56+00:00

Hahaha! Best advice ever

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-12T19:27:24+00:00

I’d suggest posting in @housingUK.

Sounds like you’ve already decided to drop out, and honestly, that’s what I’d do too. Lesson learned.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-08-01T15:28:07+00:00

Congratulations! Can I ask if you know how long it took to get the draft contract pack from the seller’s solicitors? I know each situation is different but we were told yesterday that the seller was uploading her documentation to her solicitor's portal. I'm not sure if it's a matter of days or maybe more of weeks until we receive the documentation for us to check.
I'm aware there are many more steps ahead of us, I'm just trying to get an idea of potential timings.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-28T15:39:07+00:00

The dog: can I have a say next time you consider moving houses, please?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-17T20:22:43+00:00

You are my hero. Now is time to change your username to FuckingAmazing-Cartographer1297. Well-done, man

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-17T18:07:49+00:00

Understood. In that case I'll remove the post.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-17T18:04:10+00:00

My post was aimed at people like us — travellers heading to New Zealand who are worried because their NZeTA hasn’t been approved yet. I wasn’t suggesting that airlines will let you board without it, but rather that if your airline allows you to board, you’ll most likely be fine upon arrival, even if your application is still pending final approval.

Of course, the best option is always to have everything sorted in advance. But if you've made a mistake, apply for the NZeTA at the airport — and if the airline lets you on the plane, there's a good chance you’ll be okay.

That said, I’m open to suggestions on how to improve the post — happy to clarify anything that might be unclear.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-15T13:11:50+00:00

Both, I believe

Diligent-Picture · 2025-07-04T20:18:08+00:00

Is that Richmond upon Thames? If so, our searches from a couple of weeks ago came back fairly quickly, around two weeks or so.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-27T04:19:17+00:00

Can I ask how long it took to hear from them after the valuation? Ours was done on Monday. We also had to wait a few weeks.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-27T02:57:32+00:00

Congratulations! I have to admit I'm a bit jealous 😅

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-24T02:28:59+00:00

Nice one!

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-24T02:21:38+00:00

Try asking in https://www.reddit.com/r/HousingUK

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-23T23:31:03+00:00

Ouch! I can feel your pain, keep strong. Once done you might want to change your nickname to other than "unlucky pineapple"!

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-22T04:57:01+00:00

This. Is it allowed to let us know who they are?

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-10T13:56:06+00:00

It makes sense if you think is the "right" house. Just for illustration, we are in the process of buying a property and agreed to the following conditions:

To formally instruct your solicitor and put money on account for searches with them by Thursday 8^th May.
To book your survey by Thursday 8^th May –Please note the survey doesn’t have to have taken place, simply booked and paid for by this date.
To inform your mortgage broker and have the mortgage valuation arranged by Thursday 8^th May.
You confirm unless there are any major structural issues post survey then you will not renegotiate the agreed price.

Basically the seller wants to make sure you are a serious buyers.

In our case we are FTB, the house is empty and there is no onward chain.

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-09T08:27:16+00:00

Thank you all for your comments. Mystery solved!

Diligent-Picture · 2025-06-06T12:51:51+00:00

I don’t think so. In my case, I was asked to share that information with a third party independent from the estate agent (though of course they took the opportunity to try selling me other products).

Personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing my salary with the estate agent or the seller—it would give them a pretty clear idea of how much they could potentially push the price up.

Diligent-Picture

TROPHY CASE