Dodgy Estate Agent? What do you think?

yallapilko

Hi everyone.
This is my first post! :j
My estate agent previously almost sold (up to completion) a house that we are about to buy,which is an old property, with complex issues, such as previously lost deeds, which are now found.
The estate agent asked us which solicitor we were using, we said not sure yet, and he suggested we used the same one the previous 'almost' buyers had used, as they had all the info and work done.
He is, it seems 'friends' with this previous buyer. As he made a business call to our mobile displaying their shop number! No exact proof, but why else would he make a call from there as the business was done with months ago with that particular person.
The solicitor suggested he would have to contact the previous 'almost' buyers, and they may sell the info to us. (I do understand that it would be their obligation to let them know the information would be used). In that the previous buyer would be getting a pay off.
The estate agent also had us call the previous purchaser earlier to gain more information and he was fishing for us to do business with his decorating business.
I smell a big rat. I think that they are trying to get money from us one way or another.
Maybe I'm paranoid.
What do you think?
Can I avoid this?

Bossyboots

It is normal for a buyer whose purchase fell through to sell the local authority search to a new purchaser. They may also have a survey paid for but I think I would be inclined to get my own done anyway. These are the only two things I can think of that you might be able to buy from them. You can do this, even if they had used a different set of solicitors.

Other than that, your solicitor should be drawing up the paperwork fresh for your purchase.

I imagine the estate agent is getting a referral fee for recommending the solicitors.

nmiah786

whiff whiff....I smell a rat somewhere!!!

From my experience I would say that EA sounds very dodgy. I once had a ES recommend me a solicitor. Was tempted and found to my detriment that the solicitor was crap, didnt answer my call, email or get back to my messages. You know what I did, changed solicitors!!! The EA was a mainstream EA, however that particular branch closed soon afterwards!!

Your solicitor can't start off where the other "almost complete" buyers left off. Like the above poster say, the solicitor needs to start off afresh for your paperwork!

I say avoid!!

[Deleted User]

I just want to say that I am using a solicitor that was recommended by my EA and she's brilliant, very quick, personally takes my calls, sends me copies of correspondence, I am very happy!
I am not sure what I would do in your situation, perhaps I'd express my concerns and see what he says. I'd also ask him why the previous buyers pulled out.

nelly_2

I cant believe you have a dodgy estate agent, they are all fine pillars of the comunity
and wouldnt dream of taking someone for money.

inmypocketnottheirs

For what it is worth, I would use my own solicitor. They can contact OP sols and get info from them. If they dont want to sell info and you are interested still, then better to pay for the info again. What is the reputation of the EA in the area, are yhey a large firm. Dont mention any names. What part of the country (roughly)?

yallapilko

Thanks everyone.
They are a very up market EA. They deal with estates and so on. Based in the East Midlands. Which is not what we are buying, by the way! Infact our property seems something they wouldn't deal with normally.
I think all your advice and comments are helpful. I will use a different solicitors and get them to deal with it.
Any more thoughts and comments are still welcome.

shockingmoment

We were required to place a sealed bid for a house being by an EA. EA then opened all the sealed bids before faxing to the solicitor. Our bid was 6k higher than next bid (we gently quizzed the unknowing Sunday girl). We didn't get the house. EA wouldn't let us know the Solicitor details.

Builder 3 doors away got it.

EA omdudsman didn't want to know.

Estate agents are vultures, parasites. Treat them as such. Don't trust them.

MyUserNamesTaken

shockingmoment wrote:

We were required to place a sealed bid for a house being by an EA. EA then opened all the sealed bids before faxing to the solicitor. Our bid was 6k higher than next bid (we gently quizzed the unknowing Sunday girl). We didn't get the house. EA wouldn't let us know the Solicitor details.

Builder 3 doors away got it.

EA omdudsman didn't want to know.

Estate agents are vultures, parasites. Treat them as such. Don't trust them.

I've had that before. Apparently, it's not just down to the amount bid. They also prefer cash buyers over those who need to acquire finance. Stuff like that makes all the difference - or so I've been told.

I don't think the EA should be allowed to take the sealed bids. I think they should be sent straight to the solicitors acting on behalf of the sellers.

Quasar

I agree with nelly. Who has ever heard of greedy, dodgy EAs? Certainly not me, even when I used to work for solicitors! It was not the EA's fault that imaginary competing buyers magically turned up offering a higher price, and "could you please see if you can match it or preferably go a couple of grand higher as that should clinch it for you?"

Dear o dear. Such slurs on such a noble profession!

Anita_Drake

Is this legal????
We are selling our house through a local estate agent.
We have only had 1 prospective client buyer in 6 months.
The house is not over priced but very close to a new large development of new houses.
our estate agent has said they will no longer put our property in the paper until we substantially reduce the price! I think this is blackmail! Any other suggestions out there?