Estate Agent Tricks

Gunderful

We have just had an offer accepted on a house but the estate agent has insisted that in order for the vendor to have security she wants us to take the mortgage and solicitor out with the estate agent.

My first reaction is utter bullsh*t and in summary I told them where to go. I am wondering if the vendor even said this or whether the estate agent was putting words into hear mouth.

Is this common dodgy practice by estate agents? I am also worried now in case they pull any other fast ones trying to trip me up.

Annisele

It's uncommon for estate agents to actually put in writing that you "must" use their tame financial adviser/solicitor - but it's pretty common for EAs to verbally imply that it would be a very good idea.

Find yourself a decent (unconnected) solicitor, and let him do his job - he'll know the tricks, and his job will be to work for you.

marcg

I suggest a brief letter direct to the vendors notifying them of the EA's comments (without passing judgement in case it is true) and giving them your (unconnected) solicitors details.

MissMotivation

The EA cannot force you to use their Conveyancer/Mortgage Adviser and I would doubt that the Vendor would refuse to sell to you should you not use their services either.

Why don't you book another viewing and ask the Vendor directly?

Gunderful

Unfortunately the vendor has moved out and is living in other accomodation, otherwise I would have asked directly.

timmyt

Gunderful wrote: »

We have just had an offer accepted on a house but the estate agent has insisted that in order for the vendor to have security she wants us to take the mortgage and solicitor out with the estate agent.

My first reaction is utter bullsh*t and in summary I told them where to go. I am wondering if the vendor even said this or whether the estate agent was putting words into hear mouth.

Is this common dodgy practice by estate agents? I am also worried now in case they pull any other fast ones trying to trip me up.

as a conveyancing solicitor, tomorrow, contact the press to state what has just happened (go online to your local paper and say you have a story for them).

also report it to tradinf standards.

do not even raise it with the agents.

this is terrible practivce.

a mational estate agent no doubt.

also, put your offer in writing and say your lawyer awaits contract papers from the sellers lawyers and times a wasting.

their lawyers are crap and over priced, as is their agency I am afraid...i see these sorts of agents all the time, and when I try and post about them I get lon time posters replying dismissing me.

always always sell your house through a local estate agent, who will not over value, tie you in, ...og I could give the top 20 things to make sure your estate agent does not do

amit175

Gunderful wrote: »

Unfortunately the vendor has moved out and is living in other accomodation, otherwise I would have asked directly.

I am taking a wild guess that the estate agents are B.. M.... Ask them for the HIP. They are obliged to give you that, or at least let you access it on one of their desk tops. It could have vendor details, at least the name & possibly current address. You could also request the EA to give you the vendor's number, & check for yourself what his position on the matter is. Under normal circumstances, the EA may just have the scared the vendor (typically older singles / couples) into believing that you aren't credit-worthy & that the chances of you securing the mortgage are slim unless you go through them. Not everyone's as smart as people on the forum. Normally, the EA will move the property off the market if the vedor instructs them, however in your case, they are clearly not interested in doing that.

MissMotivation

Timmy, timmy, timmy......you were doing so well!

What if it's not a national EA?? What if it's a local EA :eek:

OP.....by all means take this further, but if you don't want to lose the house then I would forget the press route, trading standards won't give a damn either!

Having thought about it a bit more, why don't you go into the EA's office and get them to ring the Vendor whilst you are there and ask if you can speak to him/her.....get it from the horse's mouth so to speak??

timmyt

ha ha...just no new posts to reply about crap EAs.

it will be a national, obviously. so you are ok as you aren't..are you???

yes, raise a stink, and your conveyancing can go along side by side.

yeah good idea too MissM, but they won't in practice

MissMotivation

timmyt wrote: »

it will be a national, obviously. so you are ok as you aren't..are you???

No......I'm a local EA for local people :rotfl:

(League of Gentleman reference for anyone wondering what I'm on about)

timmyt

there you go. one of the good guys. use MissM people, local is best.