Just been told off by Estate Agent

Eton_Rifle

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

I must be really evil since I find that very funny:rotfl:

I'm evil too - I was thinking of one particular guy who got stuck in the lift between floors and how he was so unpopular that we all struggled to keep a straight face as the sound of him howling like a werewolf in the full moon was carried up the lift shaft.

westv

I'm surprised at the number of people that don't appear to have even told the EAs they aren't interested - saying "no" is still feedback and takes little time and effort. It's nothing new - well since I bought back in 1995 anyway.

evoke

Schwade wrote: »

Seriously what feedback does the seller want??

Is this a wind-up?

Erm...it'll be good points about the property and bad points.

Also, it helps the EA to know more about the kind of properties that you are really interested in so that he doesn't waste everyone's time in the future.

It takes a lot of effort for sellers to prepare a property for viewing. If a viewer comes in and doesn't want to buy the property then the vendor would like to know what put them off it. And the EA wants to know if the viewer is taking the p1ss. With feedback the EA can narrow down future properties for viewing. Without feedback he'll pester the viewer with any property that comes up. And so the timewasting spiral continues.

hazyjo

I think the fors and againsts are maybe deciphering the word 'feedback' differently. We're not surveyors as viewers, 'feedback' can just be a yes or no. Maybe 'feedback' isn't the right word to use - I'm not saying everyone needs a description of what they feel is wrong with a house. Sometimes even if there are things 'wrong' with it, it wouldn't put you off it. I just feel it's polite to say yes or no after someone's tidied up their house (presumably!) and let you walk round it.

If there's something glaringly obvious when viewing that isn't obvious from the EA's details, tell them. That can be enough feedback. I've viewed a house where a bathroom was off a bedroom and they conveniently forgot to mention that on the details. Grrrr.

If you say to the EA 'sorry, it's just not for me, but I hope they find someone soon who loves it', that's all they want to hear. I don't think I've ever been pushed for more than that. They and the sellers know what's wrong with the house already, they don't need everything pointing out. But sometimes things aren't so obvious, or the sellers are in denial about something.

A friend at work was telling me today how she's going to have a toilet and sink put in both upstairs bedrooms for her two kids as she's only got a downstairs bathroom (literally just the loo and sink in rooms, not in en-suites). She reckons it'll add value when/if she eventually comes to sell. I kept very quiet... each to their own! But as a viewer, I'd be telling the agent it was rather offputting!

Jx

gratefulforhelp_2

Yeah, I agree, westv that's just good manners.

gingertips

If anything its 99 times out of 100 the other way round isnt it??!!! maybe this agents sick and tired of clients moaning at them for not keeping them in the loop etc etc & has decided to have a go at clients in similar vein...

but if this agent is proactive etc etc & is willing to treat you in same way you treat them, I say youve got a good agent!

googler

Schwade wrote: »

Seriously what feedback does the seller want??

....

If the property doesn't sell, it just means the price is too high or people aren't interested.

Yes, but the seller wants to know WHY the viewers/buyers aren't interested......

If all the viewers say "It's too expensive" then the seller can take something useful from this.

If all or most viewers say they don't like the street, but they like the house, then the seller has to resign themselves to this because they can't do much about it.

If all or most viewers comment adversely on something that could easily be changed, then the seller can take something from this and change it....

Eton_Rifle

waribai wrote: »

:rotfl:

In our area there are about 12 estate agents. Looking on nethouseprices.com, 19 properties sold in December and 21 in January less than a third for the same two months 3 years ago. It doesn't matter if I'm the first or last person they call when the 'perfect' house comes in, simples maths tells me that they need to sell to anyone who has the finance.
The fact of the matter is they are not selling more than two properties a month anyway and are struggling to stay afloat. They cannot be choosy as there anre not enough buyers to choose among! Consequently, there is no need for them to give me an old fashioned headmaster style ticking off. I could be the person who buys one of the two properties they are likely to sell next month. I couldn't give amonkey's if I was their favourite or not!!!

OK, you go ahead and cut your nose off to spite your own face.

Good properties still stand a chance of more than one interested buyer. If I were one of those competing buyers I'd want an much in my favour as possible.

Do you understand that agents have lists of buyers whom they call when new instructions arrive? Those people view first. New instructions that might be perfect for you when you've told them your requirements and built a relationship with them so they call you first.

If you're serious about house-hunting, why would you not try to put yourself in the best possible position, it's absolutely crazy not to.
For the sake of a one minute courtesy feedback call?

Otherwise you're just sitting passively there, looking at the web, being reactive rather than proactive and being spoonfed things that other buyers may have already seen and rejected.
Yes, that probably will work but why would you only accept that one scenario? What reason can there possibly be not to open up all avenues to get what you want?

And feedback is definitely not a new thing, you've just found a more diligent estate agent this time.

Schwade

evoke wrote: »

Is this a wind-up?

Erm...it'll be good points about the property and bad points.

No it's not a wind-up. Don't you understand that if the buyer likes it, it doesnt matter on minor things (i.e. bad points)?? The buyer is not going to walk off. In fact the buyer will factor that into the price. It's not rocket science. The good and bad points have nothing to do with the property. The ONLY thing it might help with is letting the seller know the property is too expensive. That's it.

evoke wrote: »

Also, it helps the EA to know more about the kind of properties that you are really interested in so that he doesn't waste everyone's time in the future.

We all know that is crap. The EA asks you first what you want and then they will keep giving you whatever properties they have just it case it triggers your interest.

evoke wrote: »

It takes a lot of effort for sellers to prepare a property for viewing. If a viewer comes in and doesn't want to buy the property then the vendor would like to know what put them off it. And the EA wants to know if the viewer is taking the p1ss. With feedback the EA can narrow down future properties for viewing. Without feedback he'll pester the viewer with any property that comes up. And so the timewasting spiral continues.

You really think the viewer wants to know what puts them off?? Hey, the buyer don't like there is carpet in the kitchen. So how does that help?? It's silly. You really think the buyer is taking the !!!!?? Taking the !!!! on what? To take the effort to view a property he/she is interested in?? As stated before, EA will pester you no matter what.

Schwade

googler wrote: »

Yes, but the seller wants to know WHY the viewers/buyers aren't interested......

If all the viewers say "It's too expensive" then the seller can take something useful from this.

Sure. I agree with this. This is the only feedback. But this will happen naturally anyways if the seller likes something but thinks its too expensive. You don't need "feedback".

googler wrote: »

If all or most viewers say they don't like the street, but they like the house, then the seller has to resign themselves to this because they can't do much about it.

Haha, you really think this happens and it is relayed to the seller in real life??

googler wrote: »

If all or most viewers comment adversely on something that could easily be changed, then the seller can take something from this and change it....

This will never happen because if the seller likes it, it is not THAT hard to change it. Come on.