Offer accepted - meeting with EA

pledgeX

Got some great news this morning - our offer has been accepted on a house we have been looking at!!

The EA phoned up this morning to tell us she had accepted and also said about sorting out a meeting tomorrow to go through everything to check we can afford it and sort out solicitors etc.

What exactly does he want from us tomorrow? I was always under the impression that at this point I basically get in touch with my solicitor and she will deal with the EA and everything from now on so she is my main contact point now. I'm a FTB though so not really sure what is the standard procedure is.

He said to bring along any info we've got from our IFA to back up that we can afford it etc and our solicitor's details so they can all get in touch.

I've already stressed we've got our deposit sorted and an AIP from the mortgage provider for more than we need so getting a mortgage should hopefully be straightforward. I've also said we've already got a solicitor lined up. So I don't think he's going to try and sell us anything.

Just wanted to know about what to do now! So excited my brain's all over the place.

poppysarah

Get your solicitor sorted now.
Ring and say you're happy with your own IFA. OR email...

Doozergirl

They will try and sell you stuff. I'd just go along with it - you'll need to produce ID anyway, regardless of who you are using for mortgages and conveyancing. It won't hurt and if you've already got a better deal you won't find it hard to say no, and they won't find it easy to argue. I'd do it for comparison if nothing else and just to establish a working relationship with the EA so if there are any issues down the line they'll see you as reasonable people.

betmunch

Just bring in your AIP and solicitors contact details.

Thats what they have asked for, they should be confirming you are able to proceed, however this often gets abused as a reason to sell you stuff you dont want from them.

From what you have said it does seem like the are doing it properly as they havent said the meeting is with the in house MA. Anyone senior should be able to check your details, if they specifically want you to see the MA then I smell a rat

tyllwyd

I've never had a face-to-face meeting with an EA after making a sucessful offer on a house in the past, so it isn't a vital step, but I guess times have changed and the EA probably just wants to have a look at the mortgage offer so that they can reassure the vendor that everything looks fine. During the buying process, you do usually deal with the solicitor, but it is useful to keep in touch with the EA so that if there are any hold ups or problems they can speak to the vendor and hopefully keep everyone in the chain happy.

DVardysShadow

Doozergirl wrote: »

They will try and sell you stuff. I'd just go along with it - you'll need to produce ID anyway, regardless of who you are using for mortgages and conveyancing. It won't hurt and if you've already got a better deal you won't find it hard to say no, and they won't find it easy to argue. I'd do it for comparison if nothing else and just to establish a working relationship with the EA so if there are any issues down the line they'll see you as reasonable people.

Actually, you do not need to take ID into an Estate Agent if you are buying, although some like to make out you do need to. ID is dealt with via your own solicitor. There is no significant financial relationship between a buyer and an EA if you don't take legal and financial services from them, so no legal requirement for ID.

nomoneytoday

DVardysShadow wrote: »

There is no significant financial relationship between a buyer and an EA if you don't take legal and financial services from them, so no legal requirement for ID.

True, although if it makes the process easier for the EA to see a driving licence then it's fine by me

Odds are they will try and sell up their favoured conveyancing and mortgage offerings though IMHO..

Doozergirl

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Actually, you do not need to take ID into an Estate Agent if you are buying, although some like to make out you do need to. ID is dealt with via your own solicitor. There is no significant financial relationship between a buyer and an EA if you don't take legal and financial services from them, so no legal requirement for ID.

Yes, no legal requirement but it is best practice according to OFT guidelines. It does make sense as you don't know the point at which their solicitor has checked. As a vendor I'd quite like it checked before I've committed time and money.

"10.8 Whilst estate agents are required to only undertake customer due diligence measures for sellers when acting as their agents, best practice would be to identify the purchaser in addition to the seller once an offer has been accepted."
http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft954.pdf

Niowrtt

Classic sales technique - there is at least a chance of you giving them money if you have to sit down at a desk with them. If you've got everything in hand as you describe then get away with whatever minimal contact you think appropriate. The estate agent is little more than a key holding device now, much like the hooks I have in the hallway.

I was lured into the murky world of countrywide services but I've managed to extricate myself - their costs, like all 'added services' from estate agents, are insane:
£650 to arrange to port a mortgage with my own bank in *addition* to the normal fees. I went to the bank direct.
£1300 sales conveyancing - £400 elsewhere!
£1200 purchase conveyancing - £900 elsewhere.
£500 for a HIP on a flat - really kicking myself over that.
3% estate agency fee on a flat - well, I can't get out of that now.

Doozergirl

Niowrtt wrote: »

3% estate agency fee on a flat - well, I can't get out of that now.

How much! :eek:

pledgeX

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I will go along anyway even though I know I don't want any of their services. I'l take some ID and DIP incase they want any proof. As said it will show some willing and co-operation on our part and will give us another chance to sit down with the EA and have a chat. We have some questions for him anyway so it's be good to do it face-to-face.