Or they simply want a third opinion.
They want a third opinion so they are bringing in experts in the areas they are concerned because the house is so old.
However, I am concerned that they will try to bring some new issues they find to the table to get a ‘credit’. This is a very difficult game to play because you have gone down the path of escrow for 2 weeks. I have made it very clear in every piece of paper and conversations that this is an 80 year old house and everything is not perfect. It is being sold with no warranties or guarantees.
At this point I would definitely let the back up offer people know. It sounds like they may end up dragging their feet too long.
Yeah, having a back-up offer in hand is a good way to forestall endless negotiations over credits.
Meanwhile, keep showing the house!.. Until the papers removing inspection contingency are signed, it is fair game.
@coralbrook, if I recall correctly, you never got an official offer from the second group, correct? Is there a way to do so legitimately at this stage of the game? Can your agent pursue this??
What a hassle, cb. So sorry. The first loony inspector probably stirred up the concerns in the buyers heads.
No, we do not have a written back up offer. My agent just didn’t want to bother. However, I believe that I am going to insist that she engage the other agent at this point to see if we can get a full written offer.
However, she keeps telling me that they are extremely excited and working hard to push through all of their loan stuff to get closed. It’s funny, they keep calling up and asking when the ‘Closing Appointment’ is so that they can fly out for the closing. We do things very differently in California. There isn’t a lawyer (we use escrow companies only) and no one goes and sits at a table across from each other and signs things and then passes key across the table.
She keeps trying to explain that they do not have to be present at any closing.
Hey, any excuse to fly out from Chicago to San Diego. Have you seen our weather forecast? They’re showing flurries on April 1.
In MA you have to use lawyer (it’s the law - written by lawyers of course). I’ve purchased 9 (I think?) properties, and the seller has never been at the close.
They may want to be there just because they are excited and want to get in right away and start decorating or whatever.
Escrow only must be a West Coast thing, cb! We don’t do that lawyer stuff here in Seattle either. 
So… fingers crossed for the fast closing!
I think you really need to push for your agent to pursue the potential back up offer. The problem is that your agent is repping both you and the buyer in this transaction, and it is decidedly not in the buyer’s interest for you to have a back up offer in hand. Thus, there is pressure on the agent not to seek alternatives at this point. I don’t think you can rely on the agent to give you unbiased strategic advice as to the wisdom of pursuing back of offers at this point.
Also, until you follow through, there’s no way to tell if the new people have any serious interest. Ruling them out as potential purchasers may well inform your decision as to whether to make concessions or give credits.
CB: is this your highest priced house you’ve restored?
Escrow agents only for close in AZ too.
This is the highest price house I have personally sold that was my flip. Mr Crazy Picketer sale was at $867,000 in 2010.
The chimney inspection is this afternoon and I have chosen not to be present, only my agent letting him in. If something really stupid comes out of that I will instruct my agent to initiate the process with the other buyers.
I think that’s a good plan, coralbrook. Get through today’s appointment, but then pursue the back up offer if it seems advisable. Time for the Chicago folks to get real or get out of the way. Maybe setting an appointment for the escrow office services (crazy I know) would make it all happen by that date…
IMO, the Chicago folks are not being unreasonable. Their inspector made a big fuss over the foundation; they’re performing their due diligence by having his concerns checked out.
Nevertheless, having another offer in your back pocket might be a good thing – psychologically, if for nothing else.