So disappointed, is this normal?

dingdongavoncalling

We recently went to view a property and expressed a lot of interest. We booked a second viewing and asked to be kept aware of any offers (there were none at the time). Whilst this was taking place we had a mortgage application going through. We were extremely disappointed that 2 days before our second viewing we were informed the viewing was cancelled because the property had now sold. We asked how much the offer was, but they said they couldn't disclose the information. We asked if we could place an offer, but we're told hey wouldn't contact the seller as the property was now off the market (despite it still being available online). And when asked why we hadn't been kept aware of offers they simply replied because the offer was accepted.
Isnt it the job of the estate agent to get the best price possible for a property? we were ready to move quickly (no chain) and are so disappointed. Does this happen often?

silvercar

Isnt it the job of the estate agent to get the best price possible for a property?

Yes, though you don't know if the sellers have instructed the estate agent that they want a sale in the shortest time.

Whilst this was taking place we had a mortgage application going through.

For a full mortgage application you need a property named, so really an offer accepted.

You could put a note through the seller's door saying you wanted a second viewing and wanted to make an offer but the estate agent discouraged you.

greatgimpo

Shove a letter through their door outlining your offer and why they should go for yours. What's to lose? Their original offer may be less than what they want or may be slightly dodgy in the prospective purchasers raising the money.

dingdongavoncalling

Thanks so much for your replies.

I maybe should have said it was a remortgage in order to buy to let.

Might pop a note through the door, although the house is empty so not sure what the chances are of them getting it.

Thanks again

Werdnal

In my experience, agents just want to secure a sale, and if you went in with an offer on the table, you would have been taken far more seriously. They now have that offer, probably from someone with guaranteed funds available, and even if you had the ability to make a higher offer, your asking them to keep you informed, held no weight at the time - they hear that every day, and they cannot spend all day ringing everyone on their "let me know what happens" list when there is someone standing infront of them with money available,

You can obviously drop a note through the door, or even check on the Land Registry site to find out who owns it (£3 fee) and contact them direct, but sadly disappointments of this sort are all part of house buying.

If you see something your heart is set on, make a offer - don't expect the agent to come chasing you if someone else comes forward who puts their money where their mouth is .

mezebu1

Werdnal wrote: »

In my experience, agents just want to secure a sale, and if you went in with an offer on the table, you would have been taken far more seriously. They now have that offer, probably from someone with guaranteed funds available, and even if you had the ability to make a higher offer, your asking them to keep you informed, held no weight at the time - they hear that every day, and they cannot spend all day ringing everyone on their "let me know what happens" list when there is someone standing infront of them with money available,

You can obviously drop a note through the door, or even check on the Land Registry site to find out who owns it (£3 fee) and contact them direct, but sadly disappointments of this sort are all part of house buying.

If you see something your heart is set on, make a offer - don't expect the agent to come chasing you if someone else comes forward who puts their money where their mouth is .

Spot on. Agents want to sell and I'm guessing do not have the bandwidth to phone everyone with your kind of request...

Werdnal

Also OP, remember the agent works for the vendor, so have no obligation to do anything whatsoever for you!

LeafGreen

dingdongavoncalling wrote: »

Thanks so much for your replies.

I maybe should have said it was a remortgage in order to buy to let.

Might pop a note through the door, although the house is empty so not sure what the chances are of them getting it.

Thanks again

Put yourself in the shoes of the people who have had their offer accepted and think they are buying the house. How would you feel if you did have your offer accepted - you started organising everything, instructing solicitors, paying out for surveys, then a few weeks later the vendors decided to take a higher offer from somebody else? A darn sight more disappointed than you do now I would suspect.

Tancred

dingdongavoncalling wrote: »

We recently went to view a property and expressed a lot of interest. We booked a second viewing and asked to be kept aware of any offers (there were none at the time). Whilst this was taking place we had a mortgage application going through. We were extremely disappointed that 2 days before our second viewing we were informed the viewing was cancelled because the property had now sold. We asked how much the offer was, but they said they couldn't disclose the information. We asked if we could place an offer, but we're told hey wouldn't contact the seller as the property was now off the market (despite it still being available online). And when asked why we hadn't been kept aware of offers they simply replied because the offer was accepted.
Isnt it the job of the estate agent to get the best price possible for a property? we were ready to move quickly (no chain) and are so disappointed. Does this happen often?

Buying is all about being quick off the mark - you weren't and paid the price. It's not an auction, so the seller isn't necessarily looking for the highest offer, but for the right sort of buyer. Agents want to get their commission quickly, hence their reluctance to prolong the sale.

DRP

i kinda disagree with most of the responses on this thread.

If I was the vendor, I would want to know of any additional potential interested parties in order to make the decision whether to accept an offer. I would expect the EA to ring around those that had shown an interest... it is very likely to be a very short list even in a popular area.

FBaby

DRP wrote: »

i kinda disagree with most of the responses on this thread.

If I was the vendor, I would want to know of any additional potential interested parties in order to make the decision whether to accept an offer. I would expect the EA to ring around those that had shown an interest... it is very likely to be a very short list even in a popular area.

That's based on certain assumptions. If you have made an offer on another house, and you have a deadline for an agreement to sale your house, you are indeed going to take the first serious offer and not risk losing serious buyers for some who are not as decisive. In the end, it is the vendor's choice and that choice is not always to take the risk to lose a decent buyer for nothing more than the potential of one that might be willing and then able to offer more.