caroline Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 HelloI am hoping to buy a house in the Dordogne, and have had an offer accepted, but I want to complete when my house sale goes through here in Britain, and I dont have an offer yet -so it is difficult to predict when this will be. The Estate Agent is not happy about waiting, although I think the seller would be, so I am wondering what I could do? Unfortunately I went to see the house with the estate agent rather than directly through the seller in the first place. Has anyone been in this situation ? The Compromis de Vente has just arrived with a date for 31st Jan - this was the first I knew that a completion date was expected to be given at this stage. Has anyone any ideas please ?many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Have you discussed the deposit? You will need to find 5-10% somewhere. Sounds as if you are just into the 7day cooling-off period. If it was me I would return the cdev with a request to enter a clause saying "subject to the sale of my UK house." Send registered post. Others might disagree or change this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Compromis can give you up to four months with extensions before completion if reasonable. The agent is working for you as you pay their fees. Remind them of that. Or contact the owner and threaten to pull out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Of course any clause suspensive, as Patf has suggested, is only good if the vendors agree. We were advised that any clause referring to sale of UK property is unlikely to be acceptable. But then, there's nothing to stop you trying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 My notaire says he doesnt like it but it is quite legal. What the agent is thinking and whispering is another matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroline Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 Thank you for all these replies.I am borrowing a 10% deposit, so that is no problem. I have not signed anything, but the estate agent is pressurising me to proceed. I get the impression that she will not agree to put in a clause saying 'subject to the sale of my house' although I will definitly try it. However if I havent sold it by the date for completion, can they then remarket the house ? I do want to buy it, so I don't want them to put it back on the market, although they may be relying on this fact by trying to push through the contract quickly. My French is basic, so I was also wondering about whether to use a bi-lingual lawyer who specialises in French property sales, to help me. And lastly I was thinking of telephoning the notaire and discussing it with them ? thank you ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limousin Lass Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Hi CarolineWe came to France 2 years ago just to have a look and see what houses were really like for the money we had to spend but not with the intention of buying at that stage as we were still finishing the renovations to our house in the UK. We inevitably found our dream retirement home, we explained that we were not in a position to complete within the normal approx 3 months and the sellers agreed that a clause could be added that we would complete within 1 year, giving the vendors at least 6 weeks notice, but if we could not proceed to completion within the year we would lose our deposit. It was a risk but one we were willing to take not to lose our ideal new home. Fortunately for us everything worked out and we were able to complete almost exactly 10 months to the day of first seeing the house. Neither the agent or the vendor would agree to a clause of subject to selling our UK house.Remember, if you sign the Comprimise and are unable to complete you will lose your deposit.Hope this gives you some food for thought.Good luskSylvia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 CarolineThat sounds a far fairer proposition than wanting to prevent the vendors from remarketing the property without any time limit or financial incentive. Hence more likely to be accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroline Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 HelloThank you for your comments. I am trying to be positive that they might give me a five month extension, at the moment the contract says January 31st, and I was thinking March 31st - which is a risk. I can't imagine them accepting anything past this date, and having spoken to the owner I don't know that this will be possible, but let's hope so ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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