Can A Surveyor Gazump?

lotusflower_2

I've had an offer accepted on a house and am a cash buyer. I'm having a survey done on tuesday and when I spoke to the surveyor to arrange it he was incredibly surprised at the price I was getting the house for.
I'm scared now in case he tries gazumping. This happened to my parents years ago by a surveyor.
The EA has said that if I pay £1000 to the developer selling the house, it will be taken off the market. My original plan was to pay this deposit after the survey - but now I'm worried.
What would you do?

theGrinch

if that happens he should be reported to his firm and trade body. as you are the client, your interests should be placed first.

i have had a valuer express surprise at a price before, but there was no hint of a counter bid.

1echidna

My understanding is that a survey is normally for you and if you wish your legal advisor. I don't see how, unless you wish this to occur, that the vendor ever need see the surveyors valuation . The survey is to protect you from unknowingly paying for a property which is priced at more than it is worth not to protect the vendor.

lotusflower_2

Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm getting the survey done for myself to ensure there aren't any major problems with the house - not for a valuation.
I guess I'm just a bit worried based on old experiences.

ciano125

I wouldnt worry about it. As has been said, you could easily report him to the RICS if he tried anything underhand, you're his client and your best interests have to come first. Plus there is a big difference between being a valuation surveyor and a building surveyor. I personally know plenty about valuation, but significantly less so about building pathology.

I really wouldnt worry though.

Swipe

I had similar concerns when my surveyor conducted a survey on my current home. He said it was an absolute bargain. I'm sure they would have also seen lots of other bargains recently too which they could have gazumped. But I suppose you always run the risk of them passing on info (for the right fee) to other people looking for cheap properties. It would be very hard to prove they had done so too.