Another 'theoretical' (ahem) question about Estate Agents

Cardinal-Red

My mum is selling off her 2nd home before shipping off to Spain next year. She was down in Sussex to deal with things when the estate agent sent around somebody to view, who liked the place.

The house is fairly priced for a quick sale, but this guy said to my mum that if she knocks £2000 off the house, he'll not go through the agency, thus saving her fees of around £5000.

I'd have thought agencies would have controls in place to prevent this happening... but I can't think what they'd be. When I bought this house I had no contact with the vendor at all; but this agency sent this guy around to meet my mum so contact was inevitable.

Any opinions?

saxy1

If this guy was introduced through an EA, commission would still be required from your mum.

virgo149

Get her to check the small print on the contract. I would bet there is a note in there about them still getting the fee as they have 'introduced' the potential buyer. Not sure how this works if they agree to wait until the agreement is up but certainly whilst it is in place, there's legally no way around it. Of course, I'm sure there's someone on here who might no of other ways..................

Cardinal-Red

Thanks Saxy - I figured it would be due.

But how will the agency know? If my mum says, I've found a private buyer (she is listed on some sites from Martin's article and has had some interest) then how will the agency know any different?

Voyager2002

Cardinal-Red wrote:

Thanks Saxy - I figured it would be due.

But how will the agency know? If my mum says, I've found a private buyer (she is listed on some sites from Martin's article and has had some interest) then how will the agency know any different?

Land registry?

Basically, they know the name of the person whom they sent to your Mum's house. They will know if he stops looking for other properties. And they are prepared to be ruthless about getting the commissions to which they are entitled.

A more pertinent question: if this is how he behaves towards agent, how will he treat your Mum? She might well find life easier if she sells to someone who keeps to agreements. And in particular, if this 'private' sale were to collapse, how helpful would she then find the Estate Agent?

saxy1

The EA will have this guys details logged as a viewer, you can bet they will find out, they normally do! its a difficult situation unfortunately. Maybe he is just trying to get the property at a lower price.

Cardinal-Red

Voyager you're totally right and I've advised my mum to say no - not least because when I was buying this house, the vendor's estate agents was brilliant after the offer had been accepted and even harassed our solicitors (our calls were having little effect.)

I just wondered what the controls were - like you say, I imagine it's pretty sure they'd find out or everybody would be doing it.

What if, for example, my mum withdraws her house from that agent (she is after all genuinelly unhappy with their service) then later on the viewer makes an offer direct.

Having never sold a house I've never been on that side of the fence, nor examined estate agent's contracts.