scary Estate Agent

grownupgirly

today for the first time ever I got a valuation on my 2 bed flat (I'm wanting to move to S. Coast..). The EA was pretty pushy and wanted to know what I bought my place for, 3 years ago, where I lived before I moved here, what mortgage provider I'm with and what my rate is, etc etc. I realise he was wanting to get me to meet his mortgage guy, but I am very happy with my mortgage and dont want to change.

Anyway, he then had the audacity to almost bully-ishly say, 'im not here to be evasive, Im here to build a relationship with you' blah blah blah then tried to get me to tell him again what my rate is! Argh! What does that have to do with getting a valuation! He then took photos and tried to get me to fill out the instruction to sell there and then, saying he wouldnt date it till I was ready etc. Is this normal behaviour? He also valued it surprisingly high and told me the range that most similar properties go for (eg: lowest price for not new bathroom/kitchen and highest price for new b.room/kitchen).

Basically I felt really uncomfortable and had to come up with some excuse (which I hated doing) about why I didnt want to sign there and then.

THanks for letting me rant. Is this normal EA behaviour? He's with a well known company. Should I try again with an independant, maybe? I am very seriously considering selling...

any comments/thoughts would be appreciated!

mightymouse

Hi

you might get two or three quotes anyway and see for yourself then choosing the one you are most comfortable with if everything else fits.

You could ask for another valuer if you want to go with the well known company but you have probably gone off the idea of using that company anyway.

If I were that company manager I would take your request very seriously and want to know why you felt uncomfortable (retraining might be needed)

Amarillo

I always have a few EAs round when I sell. I think it's really important that you have someone who you feel comfortable dealing with and I look at the valuation as a sort of interview for the agent. I make notes about each one when they have been about things like whether they arrived on time, their attitude towards the property, whether they tried as the one yours did to put pressure on about their mortgage broker, the things that they notice about the property, what the staff were like in the office when I call in (the person who comes to do the valuation usually does just that then one of the negotiators does the viewings) . I also look at how long they want to tie you in for on the contract you sign with them, how much notice you have to give them and I always haggle on their commision rate. Also, I ask around people that I know who have sold recently for feedback which can be very enlightening. I'm very wary about those who come up with high valuations to get the buisness as I've fallen for this before then ended up having to reduce the price.

My neighbour was saying the other day that whenever they have sold they tell the agent they have 4 weeks sole agency then will get other agents in on the act, which seems very sensible. Good luck with your move, I hope it goes well.

Nenen

I think Amarillo has made some excellent suggestions. I'd add to those with an idea I first got from Andrew's sticky on saving money when selling... namely do a 'test run' (like a mystery shopper) as a potential buyer. Ring any EAs you might be considering using to sell your property (particualrly ones that have given you valuations) but posing as a potential buyer (or get a friend to do this for you). Ask about properties within the price range yours in on at and see how helpful they are from a buyers point of view. Do they mention that they might have a house coming onto their books (yours;) ) which might be suitable?
Also, if you want the EA to show people round your property when you're not there it is a good idea to ask them to make an appointment for you to view an empty house (usually marketed with 'no onward chain') and see how accomodating they are about making you an appointment etc. Obviously, you cancel the appointment well in advance! I say this because we are looking to buy at the moment and having real difficulty getting EAs to make convenient appointments (particularly at weekends) to show us round properties (ones where owners will do viewings are usually easy enough to get convenient appointments for).

grownupgirly

ok thanks alot for your very helpful advice! I appreciate it!

Melissa177

Depending on how confident you are, rather than evade his answers, I would say:

"I don't like your style, I think you're pushy, you're here to value my property not sell me a mortgage".

If you've already decided you don't want to go with that EA (and I would avoid one like that like the plague), I would just ask them to leave. It's the only way these sort of people are ever going to get the message.

cattie

I've never heard of an ea wanting to take photo's before you've decided to market the property with them, so this sounds a funny way of doing things.

Each time I've sold the ea's come round to give a valuation, then put it in writing & once I've decided I want to market & who with, then the ea comes round to take photos & get's me to sign contract.

grownupgirly

yes, Cattie, thats what I thought!!!! (Love the photo of the cat by the way!)

G.upgirly (well, on my way to being grownup!)

Melissa177

A couple of friends of mine were looking for a flatshare in London, and the LA was showing them around one property, being very very pushy, and coming out with all kinds of w***erish statements.

To get him to shut up, one of them cut him dead by saying "Look, we are much MUCH smarter than you, how about you keep quiet whilst we look around?" They took the flat, negotiating a 50 quid a week discount as well.

I'm not quite as brash, but if you can get away with it..

charley1965

cattie wrote: »

I've never heard of an ea wanting to take photo's before you've decided to market the property with them, so this sounds a funny way of doing things.

This happened to me last month when I was putting my flat on the market!

The EA came around and was far too pushy for my liking, telling me that he liked to do accompanied viewings only and I'd be best to leave my keys with them! I said to him that was completely out of the question and that the prospective buyers would have to fit around when I was home. I am home by 6 each evening, so it was hardly a problem.

Then, after I had listened to his sales patter for 45 minutes, he got a camera out and said "Right, I'll get some photos done". I said hold on, I haven't instructed you, why are you taking photos already? I still have X estate agent to see and he'll be here in half an hour. He just said OK, I'll come back another time!

I honestly believe because I'm a woman on her own he expected me to roll over and comply. Needless to say he didn't get my instruction!

grownupgirly

yes, I agree with you, Charley. I think it was the same for me. I used the very valid reason that since I am a woman on my own, that I needed to talk to my family over the weekend to make a decision. It was my first time getting a valuation, and on retrospect didnt realise that I could tell the EA that I was getting more valuations done etc, which I will be getting this week. Now I know to be more assertive, after all, these people do need our business, dont they?!!!