Does a property ever sell before going on Rightmove?

GolfFoxtrot

Yes it happens, several properties were recently added to rightmove by an agent in my area as already under offer. Infact we are on the agents books as buyers and we were not even contacted about them (although perhaps they know we've already made an offer on somewhere). If I were still actively looking I'd phone agents regularly so you're at the front of their mind when they see a suitable property for you.

dominoman

Definitely!

The agent is your friend. Suck it up. Whatever you think of him keep it hidden behind a friendly and professional veil.

I have often had an agent call me days or weeks before a listing for a particular house they knew would be right for me.

In any case when it comes to offers you want to know the agent. You can find out all kind of things that they probably shouldn't tell you, so long as they know you are a good buyer.

Go and see the agents in person. And go back every few weeks to say hello and update them on your search.

marlot

We're going live with our property on 2nd May, including rightmove, but the EA is taking a buyer round this coming Saturday - a few days early.

verulamium

As much as you might dislike the idea, act as if the agent is your best friend.

Don't just email them - visit them and talk about your requirements. Call them every few days and make an effort to visit once a week. It shows you are a serious buyer.

We know of one agent who kept forwarding houses that were not due to appear on RM for days. He even convinced a vendor to allow viewing for us prior to the 'official launch'.

ognum

I have just completed on a flat that never went on Rightmove. It never even got agents particulars!

Owner wanted quick sale, completed in a month. Agent who I know phoned me and asked me to go and look, made offer rejected, upped a little accepted.

Took flat with tenants in situ, they resigned a new agreement, we all met and decided what was the best course of action. Went well, no problems so far.

Another flat the same layout in same building has just sold for £45k more, one month later.

Jaycee_Dove

The house we are buying was taken on by the Estate Agent on a Friday, had two viewings on the Monday, we visited Tuesday and had our offer accepted there and then. The for sale board never went up. It appeared on Rightmove next day as 'Sold STC'.

PasturesNew

I received an email about a house and it was 3 days before it appeared on RM.... if I'd been looking for a house just like that, at that price, I'd have been on the phone and tried to view it the next day or so - and, if they were able to do such a viewing, I might have offered on the spot.

So it is possible.

LFH

Thanks everybody!

Should probably have mentioned that I'm looking in London - I wonder if the situation is different there?

Still surprised that given the current market the owners aren't waiting around to see if they get offers above the asking price.

I'll give it a go, anyway, although I don't think I'm going to manage phoning all the estate agents, since I'm essentially looking for "anywhere in London". (That's a LOT of estate agents :-) Bulk e-mails on Rightmove it is!

Thanks,
LFH

Halle71

Our house sold two days before going online.
We needed a quick sale as we had found a property we liked and the EA got two couple round the day we signed with them and we accepted an asking price offer the following day.
The crucial point is that the EA knew their position and knew they were ready to offer.

R_P_W

LFH wrote: »

Thanks everybody!

Should probably have mentioned that I'm looking in London - I wonder if the situation is different there?

Still surprised that given the current market the owners aren't waiting around to see if they get offers above the asking price.

I'll give it a go, anyway, although I don't think I'm going to manage phoning all the estate agents, since I'm essentially looking for "anywhere in London". (That's a LOT of estate agents :-) Bulk e-mails on Rightmove it is!

Thanks,
LFH

Plenty of asking price offers before many properties have a chance to get in rightmove!

Many parts of London are crazy at the moment. Good properties won't make it online.

You will struggle looking at ALL of London. You need to focus in certain areas.