Devious Eatate Agent

pegtop2

I have been very interested in buying a bungalow which was a very good price and I made an offer of the asking price. This was accepted on the understanding that my property would have to be sold and meanwhile the bungalow would remain on the market.

The bungalow is empty.

I made an appointment to view the bungalow a second time with my daughter. Just as we were going out the door to the viewing we had a phone call from the agent to say we could not go as a surveyor was inspecting the property. This was the first we knew that someone else was interested and had come up with an offer below the asking price but for cash which had been accepted and the sale was going through.

i was pretty annoyed as i told the agent that if they had told me there was other interest i would also have arranged to pay cash.

I was told that if I could prove that I had the cash then my offer would be put to the vendor. i did prove it to the manager. I than asked that my cash offer which was still for the asking price be put forward to the vendor and here is where the problems start.

I was fobbed off with excuses about them not being able to contact the vendor to give him my offer. I phoned several times to ask the situation but the young man I spoke to was evasive and offhand and downright rude.

I then finally spoke to the manager who in a very short time got through to the vendor via his mobile and who said (according to the agent) he would consider my (higher) offer, and thats how the matter stands.

Now again I believe i am being fobbed off. I believe that the estate agents on finding themselves a cash buyer are only interested in a sale going through as quickly as possible for their benefit.

My question is this. How can you be sure that an agent passes on offers to the vendor. After all you may suspect they are not but there is no way of proving it. Mine is a higher offer and the sale can be just a quick but I seem to be getting nowhere and I think that is the fault of the estate agent.

chickmug

pegtop2 wrote: »

the estate agents on finding themselves a cash buyer are only interested in a sale going through as quickly as possible for their benefit.

My question is this. How can you be sure that an agent passes on offers to the vendor.

It may be in the EA's interest to get a good and solid offer but that also happens to be good for the seller.

You can't be sure the EA passes the offer on. There is no way of knowing even they should by the rules they usually work to

74jax

All registered EA have to put in writing all offers to both the seller and the prospective purchaser within 24 hours. If you haven't had your letter i'd ask where it is. If you put in an offer you should be told or at least kept uptodate with all interest. Even if you don't put in an offer you can 'register an interest' in a property, which basically means any interest shown in the property is reported to you. The EA will put forward all offers and the amounts and the position of the purchaser. The owner then decides who to go with. If you have provided 'proof of funds' then that's all you can really do. It is worth pointing out that it isn't always the highest offer that gets accepted, other factors can be taken into account.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Speak to the neighbours & find ot if they have contact details of the owner..

RetroBob

If they live in the property you could write to "the owner".

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Your not the person with the contract with the estate agent. Do whatever you want. Park on the doorstep if required.

Running_Horse

You were not in a position to proceed.

How long did you think they should wait for you?

david29dpo

To answer your question, if you cant contact the seller, you will never know if the offer has been put to them for sure. From what you have said, i can see no reason why your cash offer has not been accepted other than the other buyer is further forward (had survey done). It is possible a "friend" of the agent is buying on the cheap. It does happen!

princeofpounds

Land registry online will tell you who owns it for three quid. EA may or may not have passed offer on. Owner may or may not prefer it. Simple. If offer in writing not passed on and owner on your side, you can report agent if bothered.

david29dpo

The title will indeed tell you the owner, but may not tell you where they live, other that the search address.

m_13

Was there piles of post in the address when you viewed? If not, they are probably having their post redirdected and writing to them will get to them. You can get their name from the Land Registry document.

Of course, it might be that they are still making their decision so be aware that appearing too keen might end up with them asking you for more money!