Would a reputable estate agent contact another agent's client?

PChanning

Hi,
I have seen a house that I am quite interested in, but unfortunately it is with an estate agent that I have had some real problems with in the past, and I would really rather avoid dealing with them.

There are a couple of agents in the area that I consider to be very reputable, and with which I have had very good dealings in the past.

As far as I can tell, the property has been on the market for at least two months.

I am wondering if it would be appropriate for me to ask one of the agents that I know to see if they could contact the vendors, with a few to potentially buying through them.

I am a bit concerned about asking though, because I don't want to put them on the spot, as they do seem very professional.

Is it something that a reputable estate agent would typically be interested in doing?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks,
PC

hazyjo

If you've seen it through their advertising (paper, RM, board, etc), they'll be due the commission.

Unless the vendors pay two lots of commission (or two agents agree to split it - although can't see why the 1st agent would split it if it's them advertising it, etc). Or you could offer to pay the 2nd commission and use another agent...

Or you could just wait and keep an eye on it in the hope that they just change agents. So long as you've not expressed any interest through the current agent and they don't have your name on file re this house, you could then just deal with the new agent.

Jx
PS Not clear if you've actually even viewed it or not...

jackomdj

Or you could leaflet drop the road saying you are interested in properties in that road....it may result in them contacting you?

hazyjo

jackomdj wrote: »

Or you could leaflet drop the road saying you are interested in properties in that road....it may result in them contacting you?

If they have a board, it'd be pretty hard to pretend you hadn't seen it...

Jx

hazyjo

Ah, unless you mean 'another house' in the road. Sorry, blonde mo I expect...

Jx

flora48

The EA works for the vendor so if you wish to purchase you will have to deal with them. As the PP says it is unlikely that the vendor will engage another agent unless of course there is no interest in the property. As a buyer any EA should be very keen to deal with you. Is there more than one person you can ask for? If you are serious about this property bite the bullet and book a viewing, after all the EA will not be involved very much after offers are accepted.

Mallotum_X

You could always ask your friendly agent to handle the negotiations etc for you with the other one, but expect to have to pay them to do this.

PChanning

hazyjo wrote: »

If you've seen it through their advertising (paper, RM, board, etc), they'll be due the commission.

Ah, yes, I hadn't thought about that. I just thought that if another agent brought the vendor the business, they would get the commission.

It is very common for properties here to be on with two or more agents at the same time, so I thought it would just be like the vendor taking on another agent but, of course, I have actually been "found" by the original agent's advertising.

I think I will wait and see if it eventually comes on with another agent. I won't go into details, but I really don't want to get involved with the current agent.

I haven't seen the property yet, but have seen others that appear very similar on the same road, and so it may well be of interest to me.

Thanks very much for the advice.

princeofpounds

I would approach the vendors direct, leaving no trace of evidence.

They may not be able to leave their deal with the current agent immediately but when they get to that stage they might be willing to withdraw if you have an offer ready to go and no-one else has shown interest.

The current agent might claim you saw their board, but with no evidence of communication they are never going to prove anything, particularly if you contrive a plausible way the owners sourced you as their own buyer and don't deal day 1 after the contract ended.