Standard EA waffle/tactics?

Lionel_Thinkbag

In the past month or so I have viewed about 6-7 properties. On nearly all occasions when I have rung up to book a viewing I get told 'It's had a lot of interest and there have been offers over the asking price'

This has been the case with various estate agents, and whenever I have rung up its always been within a day or so of the property being listed on rightmove.

Am I right in thinking that its just their standard practise to try and spook people into making high offers? I know that they're obliged to pass all offers on regardless. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, it seems increasingly difficult to get viewings outside of office hours. I'm going to view a flat this afternoon without my husband, I tried to book a viewing for his day off but they said they were only doing 'block viewings' and nothing was scheduled for that day?!

Seems a bit ridiculous, most people in a position to buy are working and then they're making it difficult to view properties outside working hours. I read somewhere that the average housebuyer can expect to view 20-40 properties before finding 'the one' - we can't be expected to book that much time off! /rant

Mr_Moo_2

Easy to check - are the properties you viewed now all showing as SSTC given they've had over asking price offers?

Viewings times varies from Agent to Agent - most are pretty flexible, sometimes to Vendor may restrict access to certain times. Good luck !

Lionel_Thinkbag

To be honest I can't remember them all. I remember one property had an asking price of £60,000 as it was pretty old and needed a lot of work doing to it. I was told they'd had offers in the 'high 80's' yet the property was still listed on rightmove for two weeks after I'd viewed it, and not as SSTC or under offer anything like that. Then it disappeared so I assume it had been sold.

I do periodically check and I think only 2 or 3 of the properties viewed then became SSTC so yeah. Either the deals fell through or it was all lies to begin with. Where possible I use Property bee but most of the properties I've looked at don't have much info.

chickaroonee

Are you in London? Market there seems different from the rest of the UK.

Lionel_Thinkbag

No, thankfully (depending on how you look at it!) we're in Merseyside. London seems like a whole other nightmare :O

Smith_007

Lionel_Thinkbag wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that its just their standard practise to try and spook people into making high offers?

Am I right in saying 'you are learning not to trust a single word an Estate Agent says'

Lionel_Thinkbag wrote: »

Also, it seems increasingly difficult to get viewings outside of office hours.

They are being lazy.
Simply pop a note though the vendors door saying you would like a viewing, but the estate agent is playing silly !!!!!!s. I guarantee a viewing will be sorted for you the next evening

telboyo

If they tell you the property has had offers above the asking price before you have booked a viewing just say " I won't bother it is too high for me already"
IF the EA is telling the truth you won't hear from them again, in reality they would probably call back in half an hour with some sob story from the vendor that they didn't think the initial offer was a real one and would like you to have a look at the property any way.
If so have a look at the property and offer what YOU think it is worth not what the EA's imaginary prospective purchaser allegedly offered.

chickaroonee

I would take anything the estate agent said with a pinch of salt, but I do think in some areas things are picking up.

We sold in Manchester and did have lots of interest initially (not offers over asking price though!) and the agent did say this to the buyer when he made his first, low, offer. It was true though it might have sounded like a ruse.

Lionel_Thinkbag

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think most of the properties we've looked at have been 'no chain' - Our ideal is somewhere that has been recently vacated and hasn't been redecorated since 1974, going cheap, vendors wanting a quick sale (Yeah I know, us and everybody else!) so the vendors have not been in residence, presumably being children of the previous resident. Posting a note is probably worth a try if the EA are being difficult though.

ndf9876

In my experience, some EAs (not all) employ a bit of used car salesperson tactics to get you to make a quick offer.

Lines like "We have another viewing booked for tomorrow, they are a cash buyer and sounded really keen" or "I've done a lot of viewings on this property recently" are all standard fare in my experience. As others have said, apply generous pinch of salt.

Regarding viewings, my experience has differed wildly; I've had Sunday viewings, viewings after 19:00 in the evening, mostly done by the vendors.

What helped for me was making my position and budget clear (no chain, mortgage in place, solicitors instructed etc). But I agree with many of the comments here - if the EA tells you there have been offers above the asking price, act nonchalant about it and leave your contact details, you'll soon find out if that was just a cheap line or not.

For what it's worth I was looking (and am now buying) in Surrey and have seen around 50 properties over the course of around three months, with around 10 different EAs (and am looking forward now to reclaiming my Saturdays and weekday evenings!).

Gavin_Clay

The problem you have with house that are below 125k you have a lot of sharks in your fishpond. (investors, first time buyers and EA best friend:) )

If the agents stopping you from viewing a property I would pop round on a Sunday bang on the house and say

Hi there, i tried to phone your estate agent but they don't seem to be open. I was just driving bye with ...... and we were wondering if you don't mind telling me a bit more about the property.

You will get invited in shown around. The seller want's to move on and your a keen buyer he will go out his way to show you round.

Agent aren't pro active mainly down to the fact people cant get lending.
They would rather sell the deal to an EA friend, Investor then the open public.

Cut the agent out:)