How do I know if EA has actually put my offer to vendor?

Nenen

Just got a gut feeling something odd is going on and having been 'bitten' twice by EAs in the past I'm afraid I don't trust a word they say (apologies to any trustworthy ones in MSE).

Is there any way of knowing if the EA has actually put our offer to the vendor when the owners live elsewhere, the property is empty and EA showed us round? It was advertised as 'offers over 250K' and we offered 250K (not wanting to get into 3% stamp duty obviously). They've told me that they have an offer of 280K and yet (more than a fortnight later) the property is still being marketed as 'for sale, offers over 250K' !

I've just got the vendor's address from the land registry (paid 3 pounds) and wondered if I should write to her directly. Has anyone else ever done this?

lynzpower

Did you get a copy of the offer letter in writing?

When I was an EA, we had a PC system that as soon as the offer was loaded on the database, it automatically printed out 2 letters, one to the vendor specifying the offer the other to the buyer ( which was really a copy of the one to the vendor with the vendors contact details omitted)

Did you recieve anything like this?

Nenen

lynzpower wrote: »

Did you get a copy of the offer letter in writing?

When I was an EA, we had a PC system that as soon as the offer was loaded on the database, it automatically printed out 2 letters, one to the vendor specifying the offer the other to the buyer ( which was really a copy of the one to the vendor with the vendors contact details omitted)

Did you recieve anything like this?

(thanks for quick reply) :beer:

No we didn't receive anyhting in writing about our offer on this property!

During the time we've been looking we've made offers on 5 properties (with 4 different EAs) and only one of them sent us a copy of the offer letter sent to the vendor. To be honest, I don't recall getting anything in writing about an offer when we sold our property either... the EA just telephoned us and we negotiated like that. Maybe different EAs have different policies regarding this .

I wish they did give us something in writing and that we knew whether or not they had explained our strong position to the vendor too. We have also told the EA we know of the recent planning permission granted for a large (30,000 visitors) annual music festival to be held on land adjoining the property and our offer reflects this so we are not going to try and renegotiate or pull out when the searches reveal this (as I suspect many buyers would do).

Part of my suspicions that something is not quite right is that I have deliberately used email to contact the EA for both offers and although they acknowledged my email with a reply; when they wanted to tell us they had received a higher offer it was on the telephone.... no evidence.... which makes me rather uneasy.... but then, as I say, I have had bad experiences in the past. I HATE distrusting people and it's so unfair to tar all EAs with the same brush... but equally I really don't want to be taken for a ride!

What do you think about me writing to the vendor directly?

icklejulez

I think it will do you no harm if like you say a higher offer has apparently already been put forward.

maninthestreet

Write a letter to the address you have, stating you do not understand why the house is still being marketed at the .250K mark when you were told by the EA that an offer for 280K has been made

Keen_Saver

Yes, you should have received a letter confirming the offer you made, I have had several of these in the past even though I know they have been turned down verbally.

I would write to the vendor or even look them up on 192.com and maybe call them to voice your concerns.

You do start to wonder with properties like these where it's been vacant possession for a long time if the agents have their own interests in getting a bargain for either themselves or a friend/family member.

vansboy

An agent we were dealing with, but were uncofortable with they're response from our offers on one particular house (it didn't seem as if they were really communicating with the seller), always sent us a letter rejecting our offers. But no copy of anything sent to the seller.

This did 2 things, as far as I can see...

1 - Did make it at least look as if the offers were passed on.

2 Made us - or any other potential customers of theres, have a bit of subliminal marketing applied to them.

I'm sure that getting a piece of paper in your hand telling you, 'you're not buying this house' , has the effect of making you want it more - thus increasing the offer!!

Or am I being too clever!!

VB

sortofok

you are right to question their tactics vanboy.

Did you attend a one of those.......

What do they call them........


multi-viewings?

You know with loads of other punters

MissMotivation

Under the Estate Agents Act all offers have to be confirmed in writing to the vendor and the prospective purchaser, if you have not received anything then I would contact the EA to find out why. If you still get no joy then try to contact the vendor directly.

Nenen

MissMotivation wrote: »

Under the Estate Agents Act all offers have to be confirmed in writing to the vendor and the prospective purchaser, if you have not received anything then I would contact the EA to find out why. If you still get no joy then try to contact the vendor directly.

Is this a voluntary code or statutory for all EAs to do this? In our experience during the past few months the majority have not complied.
Has anyone else found the same?
Even if they do confirm our offer in writing, how do we know if they have also copied this to the vendor?

vansboy

sortofok wrote: »

you are right to question their tactics vanboy.

Did you attend a one of those.......

What do they call them........


multi-viewings.

You know with loads of other punters?

Not an 'open house' viewing, for this one - but, yes , we've done that too!!

All designed to help you persuede yourself to buy!!

VB