Offer put in for ahouse marketed by an estate agent but seller works at same agency

robatwork

You're all conveying way too many scruples on EAs.

I have met and dealt with loads of them.

They are only interested in money, not in the seller's wellbeing or getting best value or any other trite aphorism they may come out with.

I use EAs on that understanding and play the same game with them. That being I knock them down to the tiniest commission I possibly can when selling.

I am not saying there aren't good and bad EAs - some know how to value, some know how to take pictures and advertise. I am just saying when you sell or buy a house just understand the EA is only interested in getting a commission, and they aren't your friend.

Running_Horse

So is the vendor expected to accept low offers because they are linked to the estate agent? Offer what you think it is worth, and walk away if their expectations are too high.

eddddy

It's the same as any other sale - you just offer what you want to offer, and the buyer accepts/rejects.

Because the seller is an EA (i.e. a professional salesperson) they may play 'hardball' over the negotiations. Perhaps with a few 'psychological games', like always rejecting a first offer, waiting 24 hours before replying to any offer etc...

And the hardball tactics / psychological games might continue through the process.

But it would probably be the same if your were buying a house that belonged to a professional double glazing salesperson, a car salesperson etc...

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

eddddy wrote: »

It's the same as any other sale - you just offer what you want to offer, and the buyer accepts/rejects.

Because the seller is an EA (i.e. a professional salesperson) they may play 'hardball' over the negotiations. Perhaps with a few 'psychological games', like always rejecting a first offer, waiting 24 hours before replying to any offer etc...

And the hardball tactics / psychological games might continue through the process.

But it would probably be the same if your were buying a house that belonged to a professional double glazing salesperson, a car salesperson etc...

But these are just the things that the Estate Agent should be doing on the client's behalf/recommending the client to do if they weren't associated with them. This situation should make no difference whatsoever.

eddddy

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

But these are just the things that the Estate Agent should be doing on the client's behalf/recommending the client to do if they weren't associated with them. This situation should make no difference whatsoever.

Like most people, EAs look for the route of least resistance.

If the seller is a 'soft touch' and the buyer is 'hard nosed' - when compromise is needed, the EA is more likely to put pressure on the seller to compromise.

In this case the seller is probably 'hard nosed' - so the OP should expect to be pushed harder.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

eddddy wrote: »

Like most people, EAs look for the route of least resistance.

If the seller is a 'soft touch' and the buyer is 'hard nosed' - when compromise is needed, the EA is more likely to put pressure on the seller to compromise.

In this case the seller is probably 'hard nosed' - so the OP should expect to be pushed harder.

They might well do this. They shouldn't though. They are being paid by the seller and if they work against the seller's best interests, they are being wholly unethical.

As you should never expect the estate agent to be wholly unethical, your expectation when dealing with a vendor who works for the estate agent should be exactly the same as in every dealing with an estate agent. Expect them to be ethical and to do their best for the vendor.