What should I expect from my estate agent? Advice needed.

Sophie2009

Evening all. I need some advice.

I am selling my property we accepted an offer on my property 3 1/2 weeks ago.
In this time we have sorted out our survey, mortgage, organised searches for the property we buying. However my estate agent said 2 weeks ago our buyer had completed his mortgage paperwork.
Yet two weeks later there has been no survey, my EA said this week he has completed his mortgage application and has sent back the contract to his solicitor. Yet my solicitor has not heard from his solicitors as they say he has not instructed them to act on his behalf.

I emailed the EA last night to air my concerns that we have had no evidence of any progress from our buyer. I explained that I was concerned that our buying is stringing us along and could he contact the buyer and solicitor for clarity.

I have not heard anything today not even a courtesy email to say he will look into it.

I emailed last Thursday and did not get a reply until Tuesday!

Is this normal for estate agents? Am I being unreasonable to want to see some progression? Or is it really to early?? Thank you all x

G_M

If your buyer is slow what do you expect the EA todo. I guess he could write yo a letter sympathising with your frustration, but how does that help.


It's in the hands of the buyer and the solicitors now.


Progress is always slower that people want, or expect, and not everyone moves at the same speed.

Sophie2009

Thank You GM I would just like some clarity and reassurance really, I haven't been really told very much.

I would expect the EA to keep track of it all, and keep me updated.

Lokolo

3.5 weeks after accepting an offer I would have expected a survey to have been booked.

I would expect your estate agent to be chasing the buyer up. After all, without a buyer they don't get money.

Are you OK to lose this buyer? How much interest was there in your property? If you can afford to, threaten to put it back on the market, or worst case, leave the EA and go elsewhere - but you would be back at square one.

AnotherJoe

For a start I wouldn't be emailing, I'd be phoning.

And I'd be very clear with the EA that if you don't see a booked survey pronto it goes back on the market.

Sophie2009

Thanks this is what we felt to that at least a survey should be booked he keeps telling the EA he will chase it to get it booked but he's been saying this for two weeks.

I just want a full update as everything I have is a bit vague and no real movement.

And I find it very frustrating when I do not get any reply from the EA either make me suspicious.

Think I might have to threaten to put on the market! See what happens. But would rather avoid it.

Tiglet2

Perhaps your buyer wanted to ensure that he had a mortgage offer in place before instructing a survey. After all, there's not much point paying out £500 ish on a survey if the mortgage offer never materialised. Or are you referring to the valuation that the lender does? They may have just done a drive by if the loan to value was low.

Sophie2009

Thanks Tiglet

We have thought this but would prefer honestly so know what he is doing.

It's not much to ask!! Just helps to take the stress out of it all.

Thrugelmir

Sophie2009 wrote: »

And I find it very frustrating when I do not get any reply from the EA either make me suspicious.

Think I might have to threaten to put on the market! See what happens. But would rather avoid it.

EA can only contact you when they receive news. You are in the driving seat. The EA works on your instructions. You must decide what the next course of action is and what message the EA should relay to the buyer.

robatwork

Aren't you aware of the training and qualifications necessary to setup and call yourself an Estate Agent?

No? That's because there aren't any.

Expect the least in the race to the bottom which is modern Estate Agency...especially if your rep is in his 20s or 30s with a Mini.

And phone, don't email. They're excellent at ignoring emails.