Negotiating directly with seller?

Horizon81

What are people's thoughts (particularly sellers) regarding a buyer negotiating directly with the seller to agree a price?

Is it frowned upon? Do most sellers prefer to use the agent as the go-between? I ask as I've reached stalemate with the agent - they want to negotiate further on behalf of the vendor but at this point I'd like to meet the seller again and discuss it face to face, to try and agree a price without the quite frankly tiresome and silly process of using the agent as a go between ( I suppose it's a bit like saying I want to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey)

Is this acceptable? If I arranged a viewing with the seller then started trying to agree a price would the average seller run a mile?

womble12345

When I was a seller I would prefer to have the EA as an intermediary. The EA is obliged to pass on all offers so if you are implying that this 'silly process' means he isnt passing them on then maybe speak to the ombudsman.

martinthebandit

Horizon81 wrote: »

Is this acceptable? If I arranged a viewing with the seller then started trying to agree a price would the average seller run a mile?

Yes, wouldn't you in his position?

He is paying someone a lot of money to help him sell his house, he would be a bit daft not to use them to his full advantage

hazyjo

He's not obliged to accept any offer so don't feel you have to meet with him face to face in order to make a decision. Some might refuse to deal with you in the future as people often find it intimidating. I had someone in my house once shouting prices at me, insisting I should accept because he was a cash buyer. Was there for around 20 mins despite me telling them to go (him and his wife) and that I wouldn't be dropping as cash made absolutely no difference to me. I told the EA I never wanted to see them again and wouldn't even accept double the price off them. Horrible situation.

Stick with the agent and either keep negotiating, or just be done with it and slam your best price down on the table (don't go setting deadlines or it just makes you look daft if they come back to you a week over the deadline saying they'll accept) - but you do have to be prepared to walk away.

What do you think the house is worth - and how does it compare to other similar sold properties.

Jx