Slow Agent?

[bensnell]

Hi

Buying a place in France and have an offer accepted. The Agent is taking forever - over 1 month now and no sign of the compromis. She is saying that the documents will take a while and and there is no chance of getting it finished before Christmas!

Is this normal? The property is in a ski resort and I can't help but feel that she is acitvely marketing it whilst knowning that a buyer (me!) is in the wings. Or am I being paraniod?

Is there a way of speeding things through? What can I threaten to do other than pullout?

Thanks
Ben

[frueda]

Dear Ben,

It is abnormal that your agent says he needs 3 months to sign a preliminary contract when all should be set up in 15 days maximum.

I think there is something wrong with this and I better let you know. 3 months is the maximum time to complete a sale after signing a preliminary contract.

I am estate agent in the Languedoc and you can e-mail me if you have any other questions to : frueda@realestatelanguedoc.com or look to my website : www.realestatelanguedoc.com (click on the Union Jack to view in English).

All the best

Freddy
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All type of property for sale southern France in the Languedoc where you get 300 sunny days per year average. Our web site offers a large range of properties. Web site daily updated !

[Attika]

Hello,
It is indeed odd that the agent is taking so long. It may be that the necessary certificates are taking time to gather together eg the Carrez etc but normally that can be done within a few days.
Your agent is under an obligation to pass offers through to the owner and ensure completion of the sale. I would say that you should fax a letter stating that you are offering X amount and your offer is valid for only a further X number of days. Also if you know the address of the property you could send a letter to the owner with the copy of this offer too so the owner is aware of what is going on. That might speed things along - and especially if you tell the agent you are doing so!!
All the best,
Claire at Attika Int'l
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Claire at Attika Properties in Nice and Properties in Cannes.
New build properties all along the French Riviera

[kavitsha]

I agree with Attika. To speed up things you should keep in touch with agent as well as the owner of the house. Keep reminding to your agent so that she can fasten the process.

Best of Luck.
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Andrew Taylor
Seller

[Baguette]

You should have a stern word with them, unfortunately there's not a lot you can do because you won't want the deal to fall through!