Buying without estate agent?

Polaris49

Hi there,

I'm looking to be able to buy after april this year (tax return) and have been having a look at houses now just so i know roughly what to expect.

I have been keeping a watch on a house i love and it is now showing 'no longer available'

I am near enough certain (given the dates it has been listed for and the lack of a sold sign) that it just didn't sell and am curious as to if its possible to approach someone away from an estate agent to enquire as to if its available?

Or when you buy does it have to be through an estate agent? (Also would i look psycho contacting them?)

Sorry....i'm a bit new at this!

kinger101

You can approach them without the estate agent. An agent works for them, not you. Unless they pass on any of the savings they make from not using an EA by accepting a lower price, then there's no real advantage for you IMO. As soon as they've accepted an offer, everything is handled by their solicitor/conveyancer (usually).

TBH, I found my vendor's EA really useful in oiling the wheels when I last purchase. They want their commission, and are willing to press the vendor and their conveyencer when things seem to grind to a halt.

Sofitos

A lot of sellers prefer work through agent. Yes, they pay for it, but in most of all cases seller don't prefer to set up viewing - they want offer. But if you are lucky you can try to knock the door and talk to homeowner
. If I would buy a house, I don't be scare to talk with such buyer who wants buy without agent.
Anyway conveyancing process would done by solicitor.

Polaris49

Well the only main advantage i was going for was getting the house i like ha ha!

Whats the best way to approach them an enquire? A letter?

kinger101

Yes, a polite note through the door, asking them to call you if it's still available.

Davesnave

I'd write a brief letter, rather than bang on the door and maybe catch whoever it is at a bad time.

They'll have time to think, and if there's any hope at all, you'll hear from them.

Polaris49

Ah thanks guys! That gives me a brief glimmer of hope

Theres so little on the market here that i don't want to let an ideal house go buy without enquiring!

househuntingmad

kinger101 wrote: »

TBH, I found my vendor's EA really useful in oiling the wheels when I last purchase. They want their commission, and are willing to press the vendor and their conveyencer when things seem to grind to a halt.

Same for me - my vendor's EA was soon sorting things out when vendor wanted to push back completion by a month and I needed to complete before Christmas.

Even if you do buy without EA, you can never be sure what a vendor is suddenly going to pull out of nowhere, and it's a darn sight easier trying to deal with an EA (commission on the line) than a conveyancer (who will just follow instructions).

Polaris49

Yeah i would have liked to have gone through an estate agent tbh (as i'm a ftb)

But its not listed with an estate agent any more?

kinger101

Polaris49 wrote: »

Yeah i would have liked to have gone through an estate agent tbh (as i'm a ftb)

But its not listed with an estate agent any more?

I wouldn't let the lack of one stop you. I think people were just pointing out their potential merits. As a buyer, you can actually get a good service you don't have to pay a penny for!

agrinnall

The vendor may still have to pay commission to the EA even if they haven't introduced you, so you may find that if they are still interested in selling they'll just point you back to the EA.