How can I gee up an estate agent and vendor?

Q I am a first-time buyer. I have viewed maybe seven or eight homes ranging from new-build flats to a 19th-century end terrace. I have become quite interested in a relatively modern property that has been on the market for 18 months. I rang up the estate agent about this house more than nine weeks ago, and it took four or five weeks of pestering to arrange the initial viewing. Every time I rang the agents they immediately stated how difficult it was to get hold of the vendor, saying that his work commitments and shifts were awkward. After the first viewing I decided I liked it enough to take a second look around with my parents (who have enough house buying experience to give me an informed opinion). It took another few weeks for the second viewing to be arranged, but shortly before it was due to take place it was cancelled, again using the vendor's work commitments as an excuse. I was promised the vendor would rearrange this second viewing as soon as possible. Three weeks and several phone calls to the estate agents later, they claim they have not heard from him despite repeatedly trying to contact him. I have asked whether they think the vendor is a "genuine seller", but of course they said yes. I like this property a lot, and in the area in which I am looking to buy there is very little affordable property for sale. How should I proceed? Everything tells me the vendor isn't interested in selling, and if I did finally put in an offer I'd spend months having to chase him up to sign things etc. But should I forfeit the right property because of a nuisance vendor? MP A It is the behaviour of the estate agent that strikes me as bizarre, as you don't actually need the presence of a vendor for a viewing – merely his or her agreement that the viewing can take place, as the estate agent should hold the keys to the property. So maybe a little direct action is called for. There is nothing to stop you putting a note through the door explaining to the vendor that you have viewed the property once and are interested in seeing it again with a view to buying. If the vendor is serious about selling he should respond, and you might also be doing him a favour if it turns out that the estate agent hasn't been passing on your requests for a viewing. And if the vendor still doesn't reply you will be in a better position to decide whether it is worth the hassle of pursuing someone who doesn't seem that interested in selling.