Estate Agent Interfering in Surveyor Choice

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Your surveyor wouldn't normally be 'valuing the property' as part of your building survey !! It is certainly a chargeable extra if you request it.

That is done by your mortgage lender's valuer.

If they are concerned that he is thorough and likely to discover issues which might lead you to negotiate the price down, then your answer is blindingly obvious.

Its your money you are spending (and lots of it) tell the agent he gets a vote as and when he pays !

I would write direct to the vendors and ask !!!!!! this is about (my guess is they know nothing of it) ?

Senior_Paper_Monitor

Name and shame I say !!

agrinnall

Tell the EA that if the seller wishes to pay for a survey themselves so that you can compare it with what your surveyor has to say then you'll be prepared to continue with the process.

DRP

Although it is unpleasant to be on this side of the equation, how many times do we see the other side of the tale on this forum, where a vendor is complaining about their house being undervalued (or even the buyer complaining about the same and being unable to get a mortgage).

it is unfortunate, but essentially the buyer can use whatever conditions they want to sell to whoever they want to.

G_M

Are you getting a mortgage? Ypur mortgage lender will appoint a surveyor to value the property for their benefit.

If you instruct your surveyor to do a full survey but not a valuation, and tell the EA, I don't see the problem.

It IS true that EAs get to know which surveyors in the area tend to over or under value, and if they believe the price agreed is at the top end, they may well be concerned about a valuation figure.

Having said that - THEY HAVE A CHEEK!

Which regulatory body do they belong to?

Boatdweller

Is this just the building survey or also a mv? Building surveys don't always include a value as standard anyway, you have to ask for them.

ChrisH48

Its both. Requested separately - market valuation at additional cost.

robatwork

The seller can of course pull out of the deal for any reason including this one, or no reason at all. This seems like a daft reason - I picture the EA as wormtongue, whispering falsehoods into the seller's ear.

Actually comparing estate agents to wormtongue is going a bit too far. I apologise to any wormtongues out there.

I would stick to your original surveyor and tell the seller to put up and the EA to shut up.

martindow

Would a way out of this log jam be for you to tell the EA that your surveyor is surveying but not also giving a valuation? You can ask the surveyor to do what you like including valuing. You are his client so the agent will not know one way or another.

If he does quote a lower value you need to have a sober look at whether to proceed. It sounds as if the price you have offered is based on the agent's asking price which they know is on the high side.

DaftyDuck

One reason I have come across this is where the surveyor has previously surveyed the house for sale, and is likely to uncover the botch masking jobs the surveyor uncovered last time....

Suggest the seller instruct their own RICS valuation survey if they choose. But, if I'd chosen my surveyor (and solicitor) on the basis of expertise, skill, approachability (price) and service, I'd not change. I would suggest that, if the agent has any issue with your choice, he should put this in writing to you.

If you really love the house, and it's a one-of-a-kind, then it's worth a little donkey-licking of said agent to get it. Otherwise, don't be forced to jump through their hoops - you'll probably live to regret it!