FTB - What to say to estate agents who ask my budget?

poppysarah

I did have one ea who seemed a bit miffed when I told her I was looking to spend as little as possible.
Another took it as intended and that was the one I bought the bargain through.

hazyjo

Just waffle and be vague. Works for me lol.

I'd usually say something like 'well, it depends on what I'm compromising on, what it offers, how long it's been on the market, what other interest there is, blah blah blah' and usually they don't ask for more. If they do, just say you're looking at properties up to £X amount but aren't looking to spend all of that.

Jx

AndyGuil

I don't mention the budget, I pick out the properties myself. I just say I have x% deposit.

floopnoodle

Eponym wrote: »

I'm obviously a little hesitant to tell them! If I offer on a house at £118k but they know I can go up to £125k, they'll tell the vendor that, who may push for a higher offer.

The Estate Agent will much rather get a sale agreed at any price, rather than get the most for their client at the risk of losing the sale.

A lot of fees are fixed anyway and those that aren't, well, the difference in commission to the estate agent for getting an extra £7k is negligible and not worth losing the sale for.

Eponym

floopnoodle wrote: »

The Estate Agent will much rather get a sale agreed at any price, rather than get the most for their client at the risk of losing the sale.

A lot of fees are fixed anyway and those that aren't, well, the difference in commission to the estate agent for getting an extra £7k is negligible and not worth losing the sale for.

Thanks for that - good point!

cloo

I always tell agents a little below our budget - they'll *always* send you higher priced stuff anway. Being in London and about to look for 4 bed houses, I'm making that about 50k less than our max!