Being called " unfair " by EA

tenke

I put an offer on a house last friday, said wanted answer on Monday.

So far EA has been saying , we passed the offer to solicitors, etc.

Then they come and say offer under consideration, when they know they will come back, then i am informed there are beneficiares.

Today, I say please have an answer until tomorrow Friday, a week after the initial contact, as I need to know if it is a yes or a no and if not, i would like to be able to offer on another property.

EA says I am being unfair, she cant promise she gets answer by tomorrow...

I feel a week is enough time to say yes or no, am I being unreasonalble?

Seller's solicitors know about offer, also beneficiares, I am sure they already have an answer but are just dragging their feet...

I have a bad taste in the mouth after the EA called me unfair, and it really puts me off a bit, I would have expected them to more apologetic and say, I see your point, will try to see what I can do for you...

My experice in giving offers before has been accepted or rejected 24 hours max...

Which are your thoughts?

Pee

I think expecting an answer over the weekend is being unfair as a solicitor has to contact several people who may then need time to think it over, and who might not be just the other end of a phone. That said, in a week they should be able to get hold of everyone, and if not, at least tell you - i.e. there are five beneficiaries and I can't get hold of one.

I would be a little bit patient here, if I was you, as if there are several beneficiaries any reduction in value you have offered is divided between them, so £5k less than they hoped for might only be £1k each, so I'd say you have a good chance of a bargain.

theartfullodger

Pot & Kettle?? Given what many people call EAs I suppose they might loose any sensitivity to polite & business-like language..

However, if there are "beneficiaries" - is it probate sale after a death maybe ?? - then perhaps they need to discuss and agree...

Unfair would not be the word I'd use in those circumstances, perhaps "optimistic over timescales".

Sometimes it 'appens fast, sometimes it 'appens slow. Whatever, resist the temptation to revise the offer before you get the answer! It's very like playing poker this house buying game..

Good luck! Hope you get your dream...

Artful

pawpurrs

Probate sales and repossesians can take ages to say yes or no.
The reason being there can be loads of people who have to agree, and quite often they argue over it.
For example, I sold a house which was a probate, which involved 20 charities as the benefacieres, each had to be submitted in writing and had to go to a board meeting , so it took ages to be agreed, as all charities had to have a meeting and then some would say the offer was ok, and others said they wanted more money, as you can imagine it was a nightmare!!
However I dont think the EA should say you are being unreasnable, but having explained the process above, I am sure you can understand how difficult these cases can be.

Pee

And of course, it would help if the EA could explain the position to you. As hopefully they would be an experienced person who would know.

Good point about the charities, one charity can take long enough.

PD1

It depends on the circumstances around the sale. If the person who owned the property died intestate (without will), the solicitor will be dealing with it - and working at their pace. This might be the case, you never know, but I think the EA could have been a bit more diplomatic.

tenke

Hi all,

Thanks for your answers

I think what I would have liked is to be explained from the very beginning,when I put the offer... please be aware this can take longer than average as you are dealing, not with one seller, but many...

That would have given me a chance, to say, do i really want to wait indefinetely or not?

My offer was a little low, so my thoughts are they are not happy but then, i prefer an honest no, so i can move on.

I feel a week is enough time, for all of them to have a 1st reaction and know if they are happy to proceed or not

I am just gutted for each day passing I am losing on other properties, to put an offer, because of waiting for something that can dragg endlessly.

I defintely didnt like the agressive attitude of the EA and also the draggin of the feet makes me feel if they were to accept and one beneficiary in the last monent opposed, then I lose time and money for surveys, solicitors, etc..

I just feel like i would have liked to be advised this is as uncertain as a repo...

Sorry just needed to get it off my chest, thanks for listening

pawpurrs

Be patient, but theres no harm in looking at other properties and if you like them as much offereing, if something else comes good, you can allways say you have changed your mind, as they have taken too long to come back to you.
Its not the same as a repo, if its probate they wont have to advertise it at the price you offered etc.

chickmug

Believe me, as an agent, there is nothing so frustrating as a 'slow to react to the offer' client. Many will give an instant comment, some will say they need to talk to their other half and will get back first thing next day.

Then you get those who are so laid back and say I need a few days, I need over the weekend, I need a week, I need to talk to my family to think about it.

However there are those where I have known cases and some come to mind - four elderly people had quarter shares in a place and they had to get together for a meeting but didn't all live locally. A nightmare that went on for weeks but they just would not budge, didn't need the money and didn't see the problem. Their place was very unique so the offerer waited.

Then those that go on holiday don't tell the agent and you can't contact them. we even covered this in our terms that they should tell us if they were going away - but some didn't.

However whatever the reason there is NO excuse for the agent not to keep the would be buyers full informed as to the efforts they are making to get a reaction to the offer. NO excuse at all after all agents are in the business of communications.

Robert_Sterling_3

tenke wrote: »

I think what I would have liked is to be explained from the very beginning,when I put the offer... please be aware this can take longer than average as you are dealing, not with one seller, but many...

That would have given me a chance, to say, do i really want to wait indefinetely or not?

My offer was a little low, so my thoughts are they are not happy but then, i prefer an honest no, so i can move on.

I feel a week is enough time, for all of them to have a 1st reaction and know if they are happy to proceed or not

The estate agent is working for the seller not for you.
You made a low offer.
You might or might not increase your offer.
The Estate Agent passes your offer to the sellers solicitor.
You do what ever you want to do under the circumstances.

PD1

tenke wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for your answers

I think what I would have liked is to be explained from the very beginning,when I put the offer... please be aware this can take longer than average as you are dealing, not with one seller, but many...

That would have given me a chance, to say, do i really want to wait indefinetely or not?

My offer was a little low, so my thoughts are they are not happy but then, i prefer an honest no, so i can move on.

I feel a week is enough time, for all of them to have a 1st reaction and know if they are happy to proceed or not

I am just gutted for each day passing I am losing on other properties, to put an offer, because of waiting for something that can dragg endlessly.

I defintely didnt like the agressive attitude of the EA and also the draggin of the feet makes me feel if they were to accept and one beneficiary in the last monent opposed, then I lose time and money for surveys, solicitors, etc..

I just feel like i would have liked to be advised this is as uncertain as a repo...

Sorry just needed to get it off my chest, thanks for listening

To reiterate, there are circumstances out of the EA's control sometimes, but it doesn't excuse unprofessional behaviour - note the key word unprofessional.