Agent won't allow viewing without sight of mortgage offer

Thrugelmir

phill99 wrote: »

I would write the vendor a letter and put it through their letterbox. I'm sure the vendor would be interested to know how the estate agents filter viewings.

Perhaps the vendor is already aware.

Until the property gets sold. The EA earns no commission. So a little common sense should be applied. Before calling others names.

glasgowdan

The seller may offer a viewing directly with you if you pop a letter in the door. There's no need for the EA to demand to see mortgage offers before viewings as many buyers do things the other way around...View, offer then arrange mortgage.

Though a buyer SHOULD. Have at least done an online approval test first. Can't she show a copy of that?

celyn90

My bank very kindly made me up AIP documents specifically to show the EA - showing what I wanted to spend rather than showing what I could spend.

I could then show this to the EA, so there was none of the trying to push the offer up or sell me something more expensive.

I actually don't think it's unreasonable to ask for some sort of check - they do have to deal with a lot of timewasters, which isn't particularly fair on them.

I also had to speak to the mortgage advisor, which I do find a touch annoying, but she was really lovely. I was very honest that it was all fixed and she was very honest that it couldn't be matched and their services don't cover my lender. You don't have to take them up on their offer of services.

always_sunny

Isn't the seller home and the seller can do as they please?
If they have instructed the EA this way, that is how they want to do it.
The seller can show it to you and you may want to buy it but they can say, no, I will not sell to you and that is the end of it.

martinsurrey

ACG wrote: »

You could post a note through the vendors door and just ask if they are aware the agent is turning people away who are in a good position.

EA will reply that they are not turning them away, they asking for them to demonstrate they are in a good position before they waste the vendors time organising viewings, or getting their hopes up of a procedable buyer as there are a lot of time wasters out there.

always_sunny

Why doesn't your sister get the AIP if she's so keen on this property?
Seems the easiest solution? It's free, over the phone with a broker.

westernpromise

One of the reasons why people use agents is exactly because they screen out timewasters.

ReadingTim

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

I think it's extremely cheeky of the agent to block viewings without a MIP letter. I could understand they might want to screen her financial situation before passing an offer to the vendor but blocking a first viewing seems very short sighted.

As you agree with why it's done, what does it matter when it's done? Why are you being so deliberately obtuse and obstinate?

If your sister is as attractive a buyer as she (or you) seems to think she is, she'll have no problem proving it. An agreement/decision in principle for a 50% LTV won't give away much about her financial situation, but it's an easy box to tick - it's an A4 bit of paper so e-mail the agent a pdf and get on with your life.

Slinky

smmeadow wrote: »

What happens if you are a cash buyer? Will they want to see bank statements first? Very cheeky! I wouldnt be happy to be showing my bank statements willy nilly just to view a house

Yes! This happened to me last week, if I wanted to view that house and be taken seriously, I had to jump through the agent's hoops. They didn't want to keep copies, just satisfy themselves that it looked like we were credible.

Offer made, still waiting for a response.

Slinky

phill99 wrote: »

I would write the vendor a letter and put it through their letterbox. I'm sure the vendor would be interested to know how the estate agents filter viewings.

I spotted the letter I wrote about a month ago addressed to the householder, sitting unopened on the side when I viewed a house last week in our target area. Your suggestion doesn't work when the house is empty unfortunately.