Estate Agent feedback

Flugelhorn

spending a week looking at properties, bit I hate is when agent rings and ask for feedback..
often the reason I don't like it is clearly something that doesn't bother the vendors or others. eg private road or risk of building lots of houses next door or the fact that the room just felt too small. Response to the "house just felt too small" was "oh they have large furniture in the rooms".
Tempted to start saying "the Feng Shui was wrong" or "it was haunted"..

csgohan4

or the toilet seat was up




Just give them an answer on how honest you want to be

hazyjo

Are you selling?


Obviously it's not obligatory, but I would say it's courteous to at least say something politely about why you aren't interested. It's not for the EA, it's for the vendor. There are usually ways of stretching the truth or being inoffensive.


Opinions on here vary wildly. Many say they refuse to give any feedback at all. I don't often go offering it, but will certainly be honest with the EA at least. There is usually a second reason you can give. There was one which absolutely stunk of dog (usually wouldn't bother me, but this was so bad!), and the rooms were very dark. I think I just said about the darkness. No need to say about the dog as there were other reasons I wrote it off!

davidmcn

If you're speaking to the agent, why worry about being offensive? I'm sure they're capable of sugarcoating it as necessary.

Damago

Feedback is useful for sellers.
I'm currently in the process of selling and buying, and am honest with Estate Agents when asking for feedback.

If a house I've gone to see looks very different to the photos or isn't as described - the seller or estate agent can use that information to rectify the listing / make things clearer in order to reduce the amount of viewings that won't go anywhere.
If feedback is something easy to change (presentation of house) then the seller could make improvements if they wanted to, which could help them sell.

On the flip side, I've had feedback from viewers on our property that our kitchen is too small, bathroom downstairs being an issue etc - this information is all clear in the photos, floorplan, description and measurements but clearly some people go to viewings without knowing what they want or bothering to read the listings fully.

eddddy

Sellers on this forum often complain that EAs don't provide feedback after viewings.

But, as suggested, if pushed, many viewers just make stuff up - so it's a bit of a waste of time.


I also try to avoid giving feedback to EAs on viewings, to avoid getting drawn into silly arguments with inexperienced EAs, who try to counter my objections with nonsensical arguments.

SmashedAvacado

if you are a seller, getting feedback is valuable.
My view is that not giving feedback is selfish.
It doesn't have to be a discussion with the agent, or an argument; just what you liked, didnt like, and presumably why it isnt for you.

need_an_answer

As a seller feedback is very welcome,especially if it is around something that can be changed.

I've not sold recently however as a LL I really welcome feedback from prospective tenants.

OK I cant change the room sizes or move the larger bedroom to the back of the property and if I get that type of feedback I know the property didn't tick your requirement boxes but if the same feedback that is alterable keeps coming through it does give me food for thought on the way forward.


I would rather someone just say "it wasn't the house for me" than say nothing....and I've viewed enough properties in my time that "were not the one for me" only for them to go on and be someone elses forever home!


How many properties have you looked at "in the real" and are you finding a common reason as to why they are failing to live up to your expectations.

The last few properties I have bought probably have been quite targeted in knowing exactly what I wanted so it was a case of when they came up on rightmove and looking on line it was very easy to decide if they were worthy of looking at them in the flesh. I would imagine that's not always the case for some people so they do go and look at things that are not perfect on paper or just to see if for example a bungalow is better than a house.


If you are very open minded about what you are looking for then yes be honest when you view something that was a "wildcard" for you...you'll then get to a point where you either find what you want or you need to adjust your wishlist and make compromises.

Feedback and viewing the property can then be very useful not just for the vendor but you too.

MovingForwards

If you are using the EA to find you a property it also helps them to rule out similar properties to recommend to you.

Be polite, be honest, if it's too small, too dark, unsuitable configuration etc just say.

CarrieVS

I don't mind them ringing. I always try to be honest, but if
- I really don't have a specific reason for disliking a property, or
- the reason is something I don't feel comfortable telling them, or
- the agent tries to make excuses for the issue and talk me into considering the property,
I say something like "I just didn't feel like it was right for me, when I was there."

I also try and make clear if I think something isn't really a negative in general, but it's against my personal preference.

shortcrust

csgohan4 wrote: »

or the toilet seat was up




Just give them an answer on how honest you want to be

You've just reminded me that there was a big poo in the toilet when I viewed my current house for the first time.:(