Estate Agent Refusing to Show us Property because we are not in a position to proceed

WeB

We saw a property we are really excited about today. So I called the estate agent to request a viewing. She was very friendly right up to the point where she viewed our file and realised we would need to sell our property first.

At that point, she basically said she would not be able to show us the property, as the owners had requested for it not to be shown to people who couldn't proceed. I was quite surprised by this and when I asked for more information (as I had not heard about this being done before), she said that with winter around the door a lot of owners had requested to only show their property to people who didn't have to sell first, in an attempt to stop visits that didn't go anywhere and time being wasted.

This seems really odd to me. Especially as here by the sea side winter is a very difficult time to sell. Even when I argued that we wouldn't need a mortgage when we sold our house to buy the new house, so wouldn't budge.

Is this a common thing and am I just getting upset about nothing? I obviously can't guarantee that if we were to see the house that we would buy it, but not showing us seems like shooting yourself in the foot. :mad:

EDIT: As has been pointed out to me, it is the owners refusing this, not the EA. I can't change this anymore, but I stand corrected.
EDIT2: It's clear that this is a common thing, which answers my main question and concern.
EDIT3: I understand that it is the seller's choice, that is fine.

davidmcn

WeB wrote: »

here by the sea side winter is a very difficult time to sell

So, doesn't that apply to your house too?

eddddy

WeB wrote: »

I obviously can't guarantee that if we were to see the house that we would buy it, but not showing us seems like shooting yourself in the foot. :mad:

Realistically, if the current owners of the house want to 'shoot themselves in the foot', you cannot stop them.

Maybe as it's a seaside location, the locals get lots of 'dreamers' viewing, who like the idea of moving to the seaside etc, but never really act on it.


Obviously the EA wants a sale to earn their commission, so it's unlikely to be them who's putting up unnecessary barriers.

hb2

It is up to the vendor, if they only want people who have sold to be shown the property that is their choice.

WeB

davidmcn wrote: »

So, doesn't that apply to your house too?

Absolutely, which is why I wouldn't exclude anyone who might be interested in purchasing it.

WeB

eddddy wrote: »

Realistically, if the current owners of the house want to 'shoot themselves in the foot', you cannot stop them.

Get that. It's just odd.

eddddy wrote: »

Maybe as it's a seaside location, the locals get lots of 'dreamers' viewing, who like the idea of moving to the seaside etc, but never really act on it.

Considering we live down the road and want to upgrade, it's less relevant, but still possible.

ReadingTim

WeB wrote: »

Is this a common thing and am I just getting upset about nothing? I obviously can't guarantee that if we were to see the house that we would buy it, but not showing us seems like shooting yourself in the foot. :mad:

Maybe. But it's their foot, their house, and so their rules. Like it or lump it.

lincroft1710

If there is a Rightmove or Zoopla listing or brochure with floorplan and informative photos, that should give you an idea if it definitely is the house for you.

Surrey_EA

[STRIKE]Estate Agent[/STRIKE] Property owner refusing to show us their property because we are not in a position to proceed

WeB

lincroft1710 wrote: »

If there is a Rightmove or Zoopla listing or brochure with floorplan and informative photos, that should give you an idea if it definitely is the house for you.

There is, which is why we think it would work for us. But I'm not going to move ahead without seeing it.

I guess I should reconsider putting ours on the market first. I'm just nervous that ours will sell before we've found something better. Not sure how the EA would feel at that point, with them having found me a buyer and me unwilling to sell until I've found a new place. And that's not me being fastidious, it's a serious concern I have.

saajan_12

WeB wrote: »

a lot of owners had requested to only show their property to people who didn't have to sell first, in an attempt to stop visits that didn't go anywhere and time being wasted.
..
but not showing us seems like shooting yourself in the foot. :mad:

By your definitions of a shot, yes. To them, their time could be more precious than a quick sale. People have different priorities.

WeB wrote: »

Especially as here by the sea side winter is a very difficult time to sell. Even when I argued that we wouldn't need a mortgage when we sold our house to buy the new house, so wouldn't budge.

So yours would also be hard to sell.. if you do find a buyer then they could need a mortgage, meaning as a chain, everyone still needs to wait for a mortgage application to go through, potential for that to be declined etc.