Being Played by EA

Jo_King

I think I just need some reassurance here!

I'm a first time buyer (had lots of help here at the beginning of my search). Have finally found a house I really like - smaller than I initially hoped, but it feels right. It's been on the market for 3 months. Second viewing on Thursday evening. Very nice vendor, told me there had not been a lot of interest, seemed very keen.

Phoned EA Saturday to put in an offer. It's on at £100,000, offered £91,000. It's in great condition, but smaller than others in the area, where I could get a three bed for £100,000. I expect to go higher, but didn't want to start with too high an offer.

EA said 'ok, I'll ring you back', phoned back in 10 minutes, said she couldn't get through to vendor but had left a message, then added 'I've just looked at the file and they've received a higher offer last week, so do you want to go away, have a think, and phone me back with a higher opening offer?' I said 'For the moment I'd like you to let the vendor know my offer, my position and that I'm ready to proceed immediately'. EA said 'hmmm, well, right, good afternoon', and that was that.

I'm a FTB. I think the EA is talking s###. But I do like the house and don't want to miss the boat! Any thoughts?

Guest101

Spot on great answer, see what they say

jamie11

Go and knock on the door and speak directly to the vendor, if the EA is lying then he needs to know.

Ivana_Tinkle

I doubt the vendor would have told you on Thursday that there hadn't been much interest if they'd had an offer a couple of days earlier. Hold your nerve!

Jo_King

Thank you! I was hoping you'd all say that.

I really don't have time to hang around, in that I do want to set the process moving. I'm tempted to knock the vendor's door (or arrange a third viewing through a friend!), but I guess it's worth giving the EA a few days to come back to me.

lee111s

Give them a day and if no reply I'd be politely knocking on their door.

hcb42

sounds like an EA doing their job to try and get the best price. Wait and see what happens when they come back to you.

Mobeer

Given the price you must be outside London. I'd personally be patient and do nothing.

Jo_King

Well, the other offer has mysteriously disappeared! But my offer was turned down. A bit of back and forth and I've now offered £93500. But the EA keeps coming back saying 'I've spoken to the vendor and they want closer to the asking price. Well of course they do! I asked what they'd be willing to consider and the EA, rather patronisingly said 'this is house buying works, dear, you need to make your best possible bid'. I've said that I'm seriously considering another house, and that I'd like to know if they're willing to negotiate the price - so can they have a think about that and get back to me.




Think I'll walk away. Another very nice house on around the corner, with a much more pleasant EA. Needs a bit more work, but nothing urgent, and I reckon I could get it for a lot less, which would cover the work...


But really, it's the EA who's putting me off. They're making no effort, being patronising, and I'm not even convinced they're passing my offers on to the vendor. I'm in the area tomorrow and am seriously tempted to knock on the door... Just how much would the vendor save if we had a private sale, cutting out the EA altogether?

RAS

Jo_King wrote: »

Just how much would the vendor save if we had a private sale, cutting out the EA altogether?

Do not even think about it.

Even if the owner took the property off the market and then you bought is some months later the EA is entitled to their fees. Unless they are unusually stupid; but every contract I have seen includes the right to fees from anyone they introduced.

Jo_King

Fair enough! I guess I just need to go elsewhere.