Buying a house listed with two or more agents

ashe

The house we are in the process of buying is listed with two estate agents. When we made a viewing, we contacted one of them and arranged to view, and subsequently made offers which were eventually accepted. The EA advised it would not be marked as Sold STC until we had paid for and confirmed happy with our survey results. WE've since done this as well as instructed and paid for solicitors and mortgage application which has been offered on.

We've noticed that the other EA is still marketing the property - is this normal? Not sure what the etiquette is here but we had (perhaps naively) assumed that seeing as we were showing intent by paying for things towards the house purchase, that the vendor would remove the property from the market. We've asked the EA we offered through to have a word with vendor, and he has said he will do but obviously cant promise anything due to being another agency which is fair enough - just curious on what normally happens here or if this is just how it is?

wantonnoodle

We had a similar situation with our property we bought last year. The agent we offered through marked it SSTC as soon as she saw the AIP (only done for the offer value). We asked if they could arrange for it to be taken off the other agent's books as being on the market, which they said they would, however in actual fact we had to chase this a couple more times, though it wasn't something we were prepared to walk away over. Given we had issues with the surveys, which led to the vendor getting work done on our behalf (to a standard that the lender was happy with and with guarantee certificates issued), I could see the vendor being reluctant to delist with the other estate agent. Once we had negotiated the work though, the vendor very quickly delisted from the other agent.

ashe

wantonnoodle wrote: »

We had a similar situation with our property we bought last year. The agent we offered through marked it SSTC as soon as she saw the AIP (only done for the offer value). We asked if they could arrange for it to be taken off the other agent's books as being on the market, which they said they would, however in actual fact we had to chase this a couple more times, though it wasn't something we were prepared to walk away over. Given we had issues with the surveys, which led to the vendor getting work done on our behalf (to a standard that the lender was happy with and with guarantee certificates issued), I could see the vendor being reluctant to delist with the other estate agent. Once we had negotiated the work though, the vendor very quickly delisted from the other agent.

Thanks. Given that our survey was clear apart from pointing out to ask to see building regs for removed walls and doors etc and we confirmed we are happy with it, to me it seems logical that the property be marked sold STC - there is a big SOLD sign on the board outside already on one of them. We aren't in a chain from our buyer (he is releasing equity and has had this approved), and the vendor isn't in a chain, so we are a good buyer to have one would think as should move very quickly now that we have our mortgages in place. Just concerned that someone is going to offer more now and its money down the drain.

AdrianC

Agents can market as they want, and put whatever flags they want up - or not. The only person who gets to say what's really happening with any viewings or offers is the vendor.