"priority buyer" is this not wrong?

shaileytuff

Hi

We have sold our house without a chain below us luckily and we have a written agreement in principle from our lender, we haven't found anywhere yet and need to get a move on doing all the usual etc to find something but market a bit slow on stock in our area

a big local agent called us Monday whilst we in france to say 2 houses matching our criteria had come up would we like to view - we jumped at the chance and they said they would put our names down for the open day at the end of the month on both houses.

when I returned to the UK yesterday I contacted the agent to say we now back, bearing in mind our position any chance we could view sooner, any time date to suit vendor but they said unless we were classed as one of their "priority buyers" we couldn't view before open house day.

They then informed me the only way we could become priority buyers was to see their mortgage advisor, I told them we had an agreement in principle offered them a copy, but they started saying they might have better deals, better rates and this was the only way to see the houses quicker?

I explained we were porting a great deal they wouldn't of been able to beat but they persisted saying had to go through their person.

On principle I said no we have our finances in order have sold our house with no bottom chain, we were quite far advanced with our buyers now and could proceed at speed - to which they said was tough would have to wait til open house but then pointed out house probably sold before then!

is this actually allowed?? it just seems unethical in this day and age of competition etc and I am outraged, this just seems to be ridiculous and I don't believe I am the only one who thinks this?

does anyone know if this is allowable practice?

Dan-Dan

Need to be popping a note through the vendors door i feel....

ACG

This is not allowed. Report them to trading standards.

shaileytuff

Dan-Dan that is exactly what we did last night, apologised profusely but explained the situation leaving our contact details politely saying if they would be interested in us viewing before said open day please call us

am outraged but the agents haven't signed up to the voluntary code either so maybe complain to the ombudsman?? but how

the agent also told me it wasn't just branch decision it was company wide -

Guest101

Walk away from the agents. Perhaps you should let the vendor know what they're doing, i bet he wont be happy perspective buyers are being turned away!!

ACG

It may be company wide but theyre not allowed to do it.

Theyre working on behalf of their client who is the vendor. For them to manipulate who buys the property by who they will earn the most from isnt allowed.

Report them to trading standards, let them know you have done it and let their head office know. Once a few people do it, hopefully estate agents will get out of this shark like practice and work for their customers.

ValHaller

Once again, Mortgage Advisor abuse by an EA. Really, EA's should be banned from providing any kind of service to buyers