Property SSTC, mystery shopped EA, still offering viewings

neo2020

Had £195k offer accepted for a property listed at £200k on Thursday.

I sent EA confirmation of DIP, solicitor's details and received official confirmation of offer acceptance. EA also confirmed that the property is SSTC and this has been changed on Right Move and Zoopla.

We are about to commit to paying a significant mortgage fee + full structural survey and disbursements so I wanted to make sure the property is really off the market.

This morning I had a friend call into the EA and enquire about the property. He was informed "there had been an offer so they would contact the vendor and find out if they're still doing viewings".

My friend is currently waiting for them to call back and will tell them he is no longer interested once they confirm.

I thought that the EA is supposed to say "the property is SSTC and not available for viewings" and only pass on stuff if it's an actual offer because that is a legal requirement?

Otherwise I don't see what the difference is between the property being listed for sale and being SSTC???

marksoton

neo2020 wrote: »

Otherwise I don't see what the difference is between the property being listed for sale and being SSTC???

There is no difference effectively.

neo2020

marksoton wrote: »

There is no difference effectively.

Should I take this comment with account of your signature or are you being serious?

Westminster

I have always explicitly stated when making offers that it would be conditional on the house being removed from the market and no further viewings.

Without further information - it sounds as though you have just left it with the EA to change the status to SSTC which could be open to interpretation.

moneyistooshorttomention

It's probably just one person at that EA office following standard practice of the firm saying that - and nowt to do with your particular vendor. So I wouldnt start getting worried just yet.

But I do know I did much the same when I could see my current house was still (apparently...) up for sale after I had got my offer accepted and started the process of buying it. That is - I mystery shopped them to see if the vendor really was thinking of still showing other people around "my" property. In that case - yep...the little darling still was planning on doing so.

Cue for me ringing the EA concerned and I expect their "ears are still ringing" after the way I went for them about that. I know the vendors ears are still "ringing" - as EA got back to them and told them I had just torn them off a strip in no uncertain terms about "sold STC" means "sold STC" and to stop mucking around and I got told about just how put out the vendor was at being made to stick to agreement made with me LOL.

Vendor did stop mucking around at that point:D

neo2020

Westminster wrote: »

I have always explicitly stated when making offers that it would be conditional on the house being removed from the market and no further viewings.

Without further information - it sounds as though you have just left it with the EA to change the status to SSTC which could be open to interpretation.

Yes, you are right. I am FTB and I assumed (yes, I know) that off the market means no further viewings.

marksoton

neo2020 wrote: »

Should I take this comment with account of your signature or are you being serious?

Absolutely serious. Unless you enforce that the property is taken off the market there is no difference.

I offered asking price on the condition my flat disappeared from RM ASAP.

moneyistooshorttomention

Westminster wrote: »

I have always explicitly stated when making offers that it would be conditional on the house being removed from the market and no further viewings.

Without further information - it sounds as though you have just left it with the EA to change the status to SSTC which could be open to interpretation.

That's what I did with my current house - but vendor still landed up playing silly b&ggers with trying to have other people still viewing it. It was only after I really went for the EA (and, by extension, the vendor) verbally that they stuck to that.

G_M

Many sellers istruct their EA to continue marketing the prooerty until the buyer has proved their commitment by paying out on a surevey,mortgage application etc.

That way they don't miss out if the buyer changes their mind.

You can always attach a condition to your offer (eg stop marketing) and see if the seller agrees.

neo2020

G_M wrote: »

You can always attach a condition to your offer (eg stop marketing) and see if the seller agrees.

When I said I want it "taken off the market" and "status changed to SSTC" that didn't count?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

neo2020 wrote: »

When I said I want it "taken off the market" and "status changed to SSTC" that didn't count?

SSTC equally means - not sold. If it's still there on RM, people can still find it.