Would you knock on the door ?

duchy

Some EA's have a policy of keeping the parties apart so they (the agents) are aware of every communication.

In some ways it's a good policy if you have say a first time buyer with lots of really basic questions that the agent can answer anyway ....or if there's any possibility of clashing personalities between the parties etc but it can also be a way for an agent to "keep control". I had a horrendous one years ago who told bother buyers and sellers the stupidist of lies and it wasn't til our buyer turned up one day in utter frustration and we got to compare notes that things picked up and our slow moving sale got going. We basically cut the agent out of the communication chain and dealt direct ...........as it turned out a godsend when there was a problem and we needed to delay I got guzzumped at the 11th hour on my new property and had to find another -we agreed a short delay in exchange and completion dates and I'd found a new house before the estate agent had even got around to returning our calls and ended up compleating only 2 weeks later than planned.

If your brother only lives five doors away does he not have any mutual friends who could put you in touch ?

Dan-Dan

I find your privacy policy attitude more unusual than usual , but each to their own!!!

Probably though , we will take your advice re written note , perhaps with one of my work cards attached

moneyistooshorttomention

The work card attached - as well as other details - is a good idea.

Dependant on what type of work/employer you have that then maybe gives this vendor a chance to casually drop in on you and have a quick word.

arbrighton

When we sold, our EA asked us to be out for viewings. And we would have found it incredibly uncomfortable to show people round ourselves.
The EAs dealt with some fairly difficult buyers, at any time of day (we were at work) and because they were local and non-chain, could answer questions for clients. Or ask us if they didn't know the answer.
We did not ever meet or speak to either the buyer that pulled out or those that eventually completed (even when they were gazundering us).
When we purchased however, the vendors showed us round (agents up here don't seem to expect to do much for their money) then we had regular phone contact as the agent was dippy and their conveyancers were dire.
I wouldn't go and knock though- at least with an arranged viewing, someone is expecting you. I would not be willing to discuss things with you as a vendor if you just turned up and hadn't done more than viewed.
This may just be personal opinion

Dan-Dan

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

The work card attached - as well as other details - is a good idea.

Dependant on what type of work/employer you have that then maybe gives this vendor a chance to casually drop in on you and have a quick word.

I`m a branch manager for a freight company , so although i know its `nothing special` the card might just reassure them `im not likely to be some fruitcake after getting there house for half the asking price and in the space of two weeks! , plus obviously it means im totally traceable

Lots to think on here , thanks

moneyistooshorttomention

Dan-Dan wrote: »

I`m a branch manager for a freight company , so although i know its `nothing special` the card might just reassure them `im not likely to be some fruitcake after getting there house for half the asking price and in the space of two weeks! , plus obviously it means im totally traceable

Lots to think on here , thanks

Well, if you let them know that you are the branch manager there and not just one of the employees, then they know you are likely to be able to be free for 5 minutes if they choose to pass by.

Personally, I would probably take the chance to nip in for a couple of minutes at work to answer the question if it were conveniently located for me. I'd know that I wasnt being "bagged" in my own home and I could cut short the conversation if I wanted by being in a hurry to get on to my next "port of call" and would know you yourself wouldnt want to chat for long (ie because you'd be at work).

darren_clarke

i dont see what the prob is, if they are serious about selling, then 5 mins of questions shouldnt be too hard, for all you know you might put a offer in and find out the house they want isnt available till next year, or they already have the other house and are ready to move

googler

Dan-Dan wrote: »

... so i am thinking early bird catches the worm, maybe build a relationship wth vendor etc...

any advice people ?

What if the owner doesn't want to build a relationship with you?

What if the owner hired the EA specifically because of their policy of conducting the viewings without the owner there, because they really don't want any contact with their buyers?

If you have a question, ask the EA to ask the owner. They and their EA are expecting you to do things by appointment, and you know this, but you still want to turn up unannounced. Bad manners, at the very least.

Dan-Dan

googler wrote: »

What if the owner doesn't want to build a relationship with you?

What if the owner hired the EA specifically because of their policy of conducting the viewings without the owner there, because they really don't want any contact with their buyers?

If you have a question, ask the EA to ask the owner. They and their EA are expecting you to do things by appointment, and you know this, but you still want to turn up unannounced. Bad manners, at the very least.

Errr , excuse me ?
The vendor says its THEIR policy to ask the vendors to leave , so actually we dont know what the vendors think about it , and as said above on a potential purchase of this size , it might do well to think outside the box

Maybe if the vendors do turn out to be that precious they cant stand any contact , be it letter ot call or polite visit , then its best we dont pursue the purchaing process with them anyway!

seven-day-weekend

I'm about to offer someone loadsamoney to buy their house and they can't be A%$£d to answer me a question? They do want to sell their house, don't they?