-
Not possible, everything is agreed on the exchange of contracts, so I'd have no way of doing that
I'm sure it would be technically possible to agree the sale on a floating index (house price indices certainly exist). They definitely won't agree to it mind.
Appreciate that as a buyer you'd risk forfeiting your deposit if you pulled out after exchange - but what would the seller risk if they did the same (between exchange now and completion in March).
I can't imagine they'd lose that much, so the risk in this situation is seems very asymmetric. You should, at least, demand a premium for that (possibly in the form of rent or your own deposit from them). Again, they won't agree to this either.
christianSpaceman-
I would definitely want a penalty in the contract for them if they pulled out after exchange. I don't see why it shouldn't be the same penalty as I would endure.
-
Again, they won't agree to this either.
They might. I don't think this has been put in front of them. It's possible that they are idiots, and when explained to them how shitty their ask looks from Hovis's perspective, they might be open to some kind of negotiation.
But if not they are just dicks.
It's really ducking simple though, you explain that your offer was based on the information you had at the time and the assumption you'd be in before Christmas. Which is reasonable.
And take it from there. It might be that you can still be in before Christmas because they want to sell and most of the evidence presented suggests they do.
Hovis
Howard
Not possible, everything is agreed on the exchange of contracts, so I'd have no way of doing that.