Obstructive Estate Agent?

Jingojango

Hi,

I'm not sure if anyone can offer me any advice on what to do here, maybe I'm being a bit paranoid but the situation sounds very suspicious to me.

A house that I would really like to view has just come on the market a few days ago, I rang the agent on the day it was advertised and was told that there was a sale proceeding on it. The agent said that he couldn't go into much detail about it but I couldn't view it.

Since then the photos have come onto rightmove and the house looks absolutely perfect for me. So I rang back to try and get more information. I asked if the sale was going through them, he said yes. So I asked why I hadn't been told about it as I am on their books and am a first time buyer and it is perfect for my requirements, why had they given another buyer preference? He then told me that the sale was agreed privately by the vendor between valuation and instruction, but again he 'couldn't go into too much detail'.

I just can't understand why someone would pay for an estate agent to market the house and then not let them market it and get the best possible price! I can't help but think that one of the agents of one of their friends is buying it themselves, and they are being deliberately obstructive to other buyers.

The property is empty and I think being sold buy the family, so knocking on the door to ask is not possible. Is there anything else I can do or should I just accept the situation and try not to be so paranoid?

thanks for reading

JJ

maninthestreet

If a sale was agreed privately, why is the EA still involved?

Jingojango

I asked that question, the agent said that the vendors 'wanted to do things properly' or waste their money - I don't know!

kpey

Sounds like the EA has a mate that might want to buy the house or something?

Chris2685

Sounds suspicious to me... But I have heard of it before, the people who sold the house to my mum and dad did it about 20 or more years ago when they bought it.

They took it off the market because it was getting no interest, but my mum had seen it and wanted to go view it so contact them directly. Instead of making a private sale, the seller got the estate agent to conduct the sale. I suppose the agent has to put it on their books in order for it to show up in their sales figures or 'houses sold' window...

Not sure, but that is one explanation.

lonestar1

Try posting a letter through the letter box addressed to the owner hopefully the EA wont open it and you can tell them your keen to view but the EA wont let you. If the EA is correct then the owner will be happy they are doing their Job if the EA isnt telling the truth its best the owner know

Jingojango

That's one possibility, but as the house had not been marketed before I just think it's strange that the sellers wouldn't want to know if there was any other interest. Maybe they just don't want the hassle?

Jingojango

Thanks Lonestar1, I might do that tonight

ALIBOBSY

I would pop a letter through the door stating that you are interested but the EA has told you it is off the market, the EA could be playing silly. Or the owners may have sold privately and asked for no more buyers to be sent (but I don't know why, we all know how many sales fall through) it is likely the family will check the house periodially even if they don't live there surely?
Still sounds funny, why is the EA involved at all if it sold privately???? Doesn't make sense.

ali x

Opps beaten to it, I must be the slowest typer on here lol.

Paley71

You say the house is empty? could it be a repo?

Jingojango

Possible but I doubt it, looks more elderly people than anything else. I think It's being sold by the family