Is that ok?

K_and_N

We have emailed EA 3 days ago that we've increased our offer by £2500. But so far no reply from them......

Is it another game they usually play? We don't want to be seen too keen and that's why we didn't call them. But at the same time we want to know black or white so that we can either increase our offer again or walk away.

How long should we wait before we contact EA again?

Thanks.

DVardysShadow

K_and_N wrote: »

...
How long should we wait before we contact EA again?

Have a little think about what is going on. Sonastin has put her finger on what I think the agent was up to in saying that the vendor did not want to be contacted. And I think that the agent is out to show you and his client that he is in charge.

Personally, I would have a little think about waiting until a week has gone by and then dropping a note around to the vendor along the lines that you are sorry that the agent has not responded to your latest time limited offer, but that they know where to contact you. And then getting on with looking for other properties.

If you have decided that this house is the one, the agent will have you on a string from now on.

F_T_Buyer

All this b*lsh*t about having to see the EA's broker is just ridiculous, and it's either to get your max offer or get the commision or both. You don't have to, and my tact was to say that's fine but once the offer is agreed I shall prove I am capable of buying the house and not speak with the broker. Only at that point I would ask you to mark it as sold stc.

You could say that you are a mortgage broker yourself, or just say you have a mortgage you will be porting which is on the base rate...

Edit: And copying the vendor in writing is fine, and a good idea.

Henry_Hoover_2

celyn90 wrote: »

We asked the bank to issue us with an AIP for lower figure than we would actually be allowed to borrow - so it is just what we want to borrow instead

This is what I did too.

OP - Don't let the EA pressure you into having any kind of meeting with their mortgage advisor. It is not a condition of an offer being put forward (as some EA's try to insist!) and is entirely for their benefit.

myhouse_2

I would ask the agent for confirmation in writing that you cannot put in a bid without seeing their adviser then pop a copy in the vendor's letterbox. Of course they won't give you confirmation, so a little note to the same effect would do just as nicely.

K_and_N

Thank you all for your advice.

We'll wait a week to see if we get any reply.

K & N

Doozergirl

Have chased at all? It's not normal for people not to reply - that said, I'd never email an offer unless specifically asked. Even then, I'd call to confirm receipt. For all you know, you're sitting there getting wound up and they haven't seen it or have forgotten to even tell the vendor.

Doozergirl

I don't see any harm in playing the mortgage broker game. It keeps them happy and if they do find a better deal it's a bonus. If they don't, you've lost nothing but a bit of time and they see you as someone quite easy to business with.

It never concerns me that people might know how much I can afford when buying a house is as much about what you think it is worth. No one is ever going to make me pay more when I'm comfortable in what I am prepared to offer. Agents want sales, they aren't really concerned with a few grand here or there. Their perogative is to get the vendor down and you up high enough to meet. When that is acheived it's job done.

Ask to deal with their sales manager if you're beating your head against a walk but I'd consider speaking to their broker, that's a better game play for you if they think there is more money to be had from that deal. You have to admit it would be tempting to treat one potential buyer with preference if you thought they were buying their mortgage from you as well!

halflost

One obvious point here, if your maximum bid will be £250k (SDLT threshold) is there an obvious problem with seeing their financial advisor and playing this game? At the end of the day, you can just argue that you wont go above that limit and pay the additional Stamp Duty applicable to the property?

Therefore even with all the messing around, and best offers and that crap, it wont make any difference as actually, the estate agent will know that you are not willing to move on that. I personally think that if you go and actually have a quick chat, show you are able to buy, and will definitely not break that limit, it can work in your favour. Especially if you then offer on an overpriced house thats realistically worth 265 or so and has been on their books a long time. The Estate Agent will most likely want to sell it.

lindos90

When you viewed did the vendor say there were any other offers? If he was happy to negotiate there and then, I assume he would have said if there was another offer...

Seems to me that the EA is giving you the run around, when they told you that the vendor said not to contact them directly, did you say thats not what he said when we viewed the house! If the EA thinks his lies are about to be uncovered, maybe he will back off and not feed you so much rubbish.

The other issue is that you dont want to come across as too interested really, either to the EA or the vendor. If the EA knows about the letter there has obviously been some communication between them.

The vendor has your letter, saying you have on an offer, so even if
the EA hasnt got your email for some reason, the vendor will be asking the EA 'so wheres this offer then?' The EA should then be chasing you.

You are a first time buyer, and im guessing the EA thinks you are easy pickings to jump through all their hoops and believe everything they are telling you.

Thankfully with help from this forum, you are not falling for everything they are saying!

Personally I would wait a few days, see if the EA calls you, but thats easy for me to say!