Offended by a letter?

belisha-beacon

I've just had an offer for a house rejected and the reason given by the agent was that although I made the best offer, the vendors were offended because we posted a copy of the offer letter to them as well. Apparently they said that they pay the agent to deal with the sale, and don't expect to have to get involved themselves. They live on the same street as me, and I had met them and chatted to them several times during viewings, so I just thought it was a friendly thing to do to give them all the information in front of them. Several websites recommend it as well - I did make it clear that it was only a copy of what had gone to the agent and that I would wait to hear from the agent. Have I done the wrong thing there? I was surprised that offence was taken but am sad if I have caused someone to be annoyed. It seems over the top to refuse an offer because of it though?

Possibly more importantly, the agent also mentioned that the vendors thought that the conditions of the offer (that a sold board be put up and all future viewings be cancelled.) were extreme, because when offers have been made on the property before the board has always remained up until the survey stage has been completed. I thought that was a fairly standard thing to ask for, because otherwise surely I might end up paying £1000 for a survey only to be gazumped by someone else. It is making me glad I didn't get my offer accepted to be honest, as if I commit to a seller I'd want them to commit to me as well, not to have them looking over my shoulder to see if anyone richer is coming along. But I do want to know if I should stop doing these things in the future when offering. There's so much conflicting advice out there!

tootsmyboots

Personally I have only made an offer by telephone to the EA and once our offer was accepted we asked that the sold sign be put up and viewings cancelled (if there were any) once we had instructed a solicitor and arranged the survey to be done. This was accepteable to them.

I could be wrong, but I think the process of insisting on sold board and cancellation of viewings at the offer stage came at a time when sales were high (few years back) and people were putting in offers above the asking price a la Location, Location, Location presenters! Not sure, I could be talking rubbish!

A seller will want to continue marketing until they know you have made a commitment to proceed (solicitor and/or survey booked).

As far as I know you can put the offer in writing, but most people just do it by phone to the EA and then the EA rings the seller with your offer, but the EA has to put it in writing to the seller as well.

I have never heard of people putting their offer to the vendor as well as an EA, but am sure some do. Seems odd that they were offended by this, surprised maybe, but not a cause for offence surely!

tootsmyboots

On rereading your post maybe it is the EA who was offended that you "got involved" so to speak by sending it direct to vendors as well. THey could be telling you the vendor is annoyed, when they are actually just surprised, when actually it is the EA who feels like you bypassed them if you see what I mean? I realise you said that you also sent it to the EA and said you would leave the negotiations to the EA,, but maybe the EA feels threatened!
Just a guess - others with more experience will probably know better than me who has only bought one property and been involved in one previous sale when my dad moved a couple of years ago.

googler

I've said it a couple of times around here when people have talked about knocking on a seller's door - some sellers hire an agent because they don't want to deal with buyers - see this thread for instance.

I'm a bit surprised they were so extreme to reject your offer, even though it was the highest, though! Do you know if they accepted the next offer?

QTPie

They sound a bit "precious" AND not desperate to sell to me.

I can understand how the letter might have been "unnecessary", but "offensive"??? :rolleyes:

As far as the "putting up sold and not marketing it", it is still very much a "buyer's market". I have just sold and was told, on here, that if your buyer demands that your property is nolonger marketed, then that is the way it goes... It seems pretty standard, around here, for a property to go "under offer" (but not "sold" - since it isn't) and stopping any further marketing.

Life is about conflicting advice

QT

kpey

Just my opinion, and maybe not of any value , but !!!!!!? Offended? Come on, have these people not got anything else to worry about?

They should be glad to be selling their house in the current climate (provided they are getting a good price for it).

I'll be honest, if I were you I would have gone and had a knock at theirs and asked if that were really the reason, but that may not help things....

I don't understand why they wouldn't think ah, a letter, put it on file...

Sounds a bit dubious to me?

Debras_Angel

In all my house sales I have dealt direct with my buyers and agreed with them what I will accept before they've gone to the EA to confirm their offer.

I have negotiated the price with the buyers direct everytime, but I know it's not for everyone. For me I've always had a good relationship with my buyers and sellers too.

I think I've probably been very lucky as I know from this forum that there are some nightmares out there.

I agree it may be the EA rather than the vendor who is offended.

Good Luck I hope it all works out in the end.

Debs

Mum_of_3_3

I have known a few estate agents not to pass on offers if they think they're not good enough :eek: In one instance, my sister-in-law had an offer rejected on a house which turned out was a friend's and my friend wasn't even notified about it, she would've accepted as well, because it was about to be repossessed! Needless to say she sacked the EA immediately. This isn;t the only time I've known EAs not to pass on acceptable offers.

So I would've thought that notifying the sellers would be a wise move.

I wouldn't waste any time about losing this house, it sounds as if they would be the sellers from hell if they get picky about putting up a sold board & get offended over a letter!

Hope you find another house soon.

M_o_3

Radiantsoul

It does seem far more likely that it is the estate agent that was upset. I am sure it happens in these cases that the vendor receives an offer directly, decides not to sell and disinstructs their solicitor, only to arrange a private sale a couple of months later.

getmore4less

belisha-beacon wrote: »

I've just had an offer for a house rejected and the reason given by the agent......

I would check with the vendors, same street bound to see them in passing.

Any mutual aquantances.

If you can't engineer a chance meeting a polite note "sorry you were upset and were not happy with the offer, if you reconsider get the agent to give us a call we are still looking......".

Debras_Angel

getmore4less wrote: »

I would check with the vendors, same street bound to see them in passing.

Any mutual aquantances.

If you can't engineer a chance meeting a polite note "sorry you were upset and were not happy with the offer, if you reconsider get the agent to give us a call we are still looking......".

That's a good idea and if they were offended first time then they'll be doubly offended BUT it sounds like the EA to me.