Proof of affordability before viewing a house

eddddy

Jennifer_Davey wrote: »

Having the same issue with Connels! Mortgage agreed with Natwest, put an offer on house above asking price. Connells said we needed to come in to be "Financially verified". Our current mortgage broker called them confirmed the details and amount of the AIP. They still persisted. We love the house and there's four other offers on the table so in a bid to stay in their good books we attended. 2 hours later and their financial adviser comes up with the same mortgage we've already secured and wants £500 to arrange it (our current broker is free!!!!)

Not happy. But desperately in love with the property!!!

Just play the game.

Say something like "Your broker has come up with a good deal, if our offer gets accepted, I think we'll take that deal. Do you know a good solicitor as well?"

Then, if your offer is accepted, change your mind.

(It's a bit dishonest, but no more dishonest than the EA.)

theartfullodger

Sit in their offices from 10:00am Saturday until when-they-cave-in or chuck you out) and engage any member of staff, in a loud voice, in conversation about what (careful with the words here..) what appears to be underhand dealings, perhaps, and can you speak to someone more senior who will realise you have the money: Or would they like to lose the sale...

Alternatively get directors names of companies house and write to them..
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/01489613/officers

I'd be so p*ss*d off I'd wish to ensure the people that "lead" the organisation realise what a bunch of clowns they appear to be..

Ithaca

We had the same thing with a Connells-branded agent last summer when we moved... I had a DIP/AIP from an independent broker but I figured spending 45 mins with their financial adviser would help reinforce my credentials as a decent prospect as a buyer (it's a seller's market round our way at the moment and I do think there's a legitimate gripe from some agents that people are spending time and effort viewing and offering on homes they have no hope of actually affording).

I happily sat through the sales pitch, asked if they were whole-of-market and pulled a pained/supprised face at their fee schedule, then once I'd had the offer accepted politely informed them that I'd found a great mortgage deal already and would be sticking with my broker.

It's not necessarily the way it should be but sometimes it's worth smiling nicely and playing the game if it helps get you into your ideal home. The only downside is that you tend to show your hand financially which can encourage the agents to push for a higher offer, but we'd decided on a max price and ended up getting the house slightly lower so it was fine for us.

Jennifer_Davey

That's what we did. Two hours and the whole "well if you find something better we'll have a think about it!# BS.

Called this morning to arrange a 2nd viewing but informed they're meeting with the vendor to discuss the offers today. Fingers crossed.

walwyn1978

Sensible advice above. If you're really keen on the house, bite the bullet, have the meeting, say all the right things, don't sign anything there and then (this is the crucial bit), 'yes, this looks like a good deal, we'll have to consider this one very carefully' etc etc and then once the offer has been accepted, introduce your own independently sourced mortgage. The seller is unlikely to pull out just because you've got a different mortage from the EA's provider.




Yes, a waste of your time, and yes, frustrating as hell, but if it's the house you really want you probably have to jump through the hoops there.

Jennifer_Davey

Still waiting to hear back from EA about vendors decision... FTB so unsure how long this bit of the process takes haha?!

Jamesjames

walwyn1978 wrote: »

Sensible advice above. If you're really keen on the house, bite the bullet, have the meeting, say all the right things, don't sign anything there and then (this is the crucial bit), 'yes, this looks like a good deal, we'll have to consider this one very carefully' etc etc and then once the offer has been accepted, introduce your own independently sourced mortgage. The seller is unlikely to pull out just because you've got a different mortage from the EA's provider.




Yes, a waste of your time, and yes, frustrating as hell, but if it's the house you really want you probably have to jump through the hoops there.

How do I know if 'I am really keen on the house' when I have not even been allowed to view it unless I first speak to their financial adviser? The hassles in house buying are too much for me to begin like this. If I had viewed the house and liked it, then it is a different thing altogether.

Jennifer_Davey

Jamesjames which Connells is this?

Jennifer_Davey

They came back to us. Three offers the same but they went with a 'family friend'

alchemist.1

Jamesjames wrote: »

How do I know if 'I am really keen on the house' when I have not even been allowed to view it unless I first speak to their financial adviser? The hassles in house buying are too much for me to begin like this. If I had viewed the house and liked it, then it is a different thing altogether.

Indeed, but depends on the preferred area.

If houses are going above asking price and number of buyers are lined up who are prepared to go through the process then EA/Sellers won't have any sleepless nights you not being interested with the hassle.