Found what thought was our perfect forever home, two visits, put in offer verbally with agent at 2nd visit, to be followed up after bank holiday. Did some online research in the interim. Discovered property had been advertised 4 yrs ago, and been on / off the market since. When questioned, agents originally said that was just the way these things sometime happen. I asked for more specific detail, it then emerged that there was a septic tank issue, but no clarity over what, also a boundary dispute had arisen. I only found these things out after really pushing hard for reasons why the property had not sold in 4 years. These issues would have come up in the process, (one would hope) but only after I had spent money on survey / conveyancing. These issues should have been central to any discussion. Needless to say, walked away from the deal. Subsequently had a discussion with Regional Director, who recognised this episode as a learning opportunity for his team going forward.