My husband and I are first-time buyers and look forward to finally being on the property ladder.

However, our first experience has been disheartening.

Having made an offer on an ideal house for our family in Saltdean, which was accepted, we found ourselves "gazzumped" by a neighbour of the vendor, who offered to buy it privately, thus removing the estate agent's fees and leaving us out of pocket on a survey.

Surely there should be some sort of binding contract once the offer is accepted and if either the vendor or the buyer backs out, money already spent should be reimbursed?

I can fully understand why buying a house is considered to be a high stressor.

Goodwill to all men? I wish there was.

-Name and address supplied