Advice please: Can we view other properties, if our ongoing purchase looks likely to fall through?

Loneapostrophe

Hello,
First time posting, but I'm looking for some advice.

My wife and I have purchased a domestic property, subject to structural survey. We are first time buyers.
Our full survey showed that work was needed, rather urgently, to the tune of at least £15,000.

We were advised, therefore, to reduce our offer to reflect this, which we have. We have been informed that the house has been on the market for 18 months, with a rather difficult selling history, due to structural repairs.

The estate agent handling the purchase, who has not been particularly active in her communication, told us that the buyer was unlikely to even consider the reduced offer, but that she would speak to the vendor.

Having not heard back, my wife contacted the agents, to discuss whether we could potentially view other properties, as it looked likely that the sale may fall through.
The "sales manager" she spoke to shouted her down, rather aggressively telling her that it was "simply not on," stating: "I'm not sure if you know, but it's not like buying a bag of sweets."

Surely he should have explained the etiquette of the process to my wife, if we were acting out of step?

Are we free to view other properties?

Thanks in advance for your help.

martinthebandit

Of course you are free to view other properties, why wouldn't you be?



.....oh and never forget the estate agent works for the vendor, he/she does not have any interest in helping you other than getting as much money as possible out of your pocket.

Loneapostrophe

This is exactly what we thought, but from the agent's angered response, we felt that we may have overlooked something, as inexperienced buyers. Thanks!

worried_jim

Loneapostrophe wrote: »

This is exactly what we thought, but from the agent's angered response, we felt that we may have overlooked something, as inexperienced buyers. Thanks!

Tell her to jog on if she speaks to you like that again. You can look at as many houses as you like whenever you like. Well done for reducing your offer to match the work needed, stick to your guns.

PasturesNew

What an angry little nasty man. He shouldn't care WHICH house you buy from him, so long as he sells "A" house to you and the firm get the commission.

It's perfectly reasonable, when it looks like you won't be buying the house you're currently pursuing, to do viewings of other properties. Sometimes one might do this clandestinely, with other agents - at other times with the same agent to "put a foot up their jacksy that they might lose the sale if they can't chivvy it along a bit".....

The agent's response was poor customer service, bullying and just nasty.

View away ..... it's YOUR money .... you've given it your best shot and the transaction appears to have stalled, so it's YOUR interests you need to consider.

AnotherJoe

Goodness me what a horrible nasty EA.

Get on and look at what you want.

davidmcn

...but bear in mind that other sellers might not take you too seriously while you've still got another iron in the fire.

hazyjo

davidmcn wrote: »

...but bear in mind that other sellers might not take you too seriously while you've still got another iron in the fire.

How would they know?


If I was directly asked the question, I wouldn't lie, but would give a vague 'We did have an offer on something, but it looks like it's falling through and we're really keen to buy so are willing to start again.'

shortcrust

I've got a different view to most on this. It's obviously fine to view other properties, but I think it's daft to tell the vendor's EA or to expect them to be happy about it. You feel the sale might fall through, but it hasn't yet. If I were the vendor I'd be furious if I found out my EA was showing my buyer other properties after I'd accepted an offer and taken my house off the market. I'd change EAs and I'd put the house back on.

hazyjo - What's a year of gin?!

Edit to add: Oo lovely!

hazyjo

shortcrust wrote: »

hazyjo - What's a year of gin?!

[Sorry for the brief loss of thread...


Not what I'd call a year's worth - but am still VERY grateful for it! A 70cl bottle and other goodies every 2 months (this month was a £40 bottle of gin, a Bloody Mary type tomato juice, 2 flavoured small bottles of tonic, pretzel bites, Baileys chocolates and a gin magazine )]

PhilE

Another example of EA's acting like idiots.

Its up to you whether you look at other properties or not. Don't let some little fool shout out your wife like that.

Write to the manager that and tell him that you are disgusted with the aggressive, unprofessional manner of his sales team. Or say more if you feel inclined, I certainly have in similar situations with EA's. Never tolerate bully EA's.

Give the vendor a reasonable bit of time to respond to your offer, but always keep your eye on other options until contracts have been exchanged, even if the process seems smooth. If after sometime you haven't heard from the vendor, simply inform them via the EA that you will be viewing other properties, they can let you know if they come to a decision.