Contacting vendor directly

Nbutterworth1

Exodi wrote: »

Really, what is the point of making an offer on a house you haven't viewed? It does't make you look serious or sensible (two qualities that are preferred from someone purchasing someones largest asset...). Was it with the hope that viewings would not be conducted?

There could be a multitude of reasons your offer would be changed when you view the property, why would the EA get the vendors hopes up about an offer when it's not unlikely you may tank your offer after viewing?

It may appear to you to be a grand gesture, but in practice it's farcical at best and I think highlights your naivety as a first time buyer.

What's the point of making an offer? Exactly for the reason you have stated. If the vendor was under pressure to sell quickly then an offer over asking one week before viewings are due to start could be exactly what they're looking for and would have avoided us being dragged into a bidding war with other buyers. I don't dispute that the EA might have reservations about this or that their reasons are any less valid than our reasons for putting in the offer.

Your tone comes across as quite harsh. From looking at your previous threads it would appear that you yourself were only recently a first time buyer. Maybe you should wait until you have a bit more experience yourself before criticising someone else's perceived naivety .

Albala

Nbutterworth1 wrote: »

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts.

The EA actually got back to us this morning stating that it is their policy to only consider offers after viewings for the reasons many of you have stated and that the vendor wants to wait until the weekend viewings are over before considering any offers. That's fine with us it was the fact that they initially said that they "legally" couldn't pass on offers until after viewings that put us on our guard.
We already have a viewing booked in so will go and see the property before deciding on final offers.

That's very sensible. I think that keeping everything cools and civilised helps, however annoying things are at the time. And I would try to be nice to the EAs (whatever you think of them!) they can make life as easy or hard for you as they choose if you go any distance on this property. And I say that as someone who is currently as mad as hell with the HA we're buying through, and for good reason :mad:- I leave dealing them to OH who is much more patient than I am, because that's the best way to get it all done.

Nbutterworth1

Albala wrote: »

I would probably cut them a bit more slack and put it down to inexperience if the HA told me they were FTBs. But I wouldn't even consider accepting their offer until I had heard from the people who had booked to view. So in my case the OP might as well wait and view themselves first.
It seems to me also that only inexperience would make anyone reveal to an EA that they were so madly keen as to offer without viewing so soon after the house came up for sale, and try to do it before others (who may have spotted it first and agreed to view as the seller wants) could even view....

I'm not sure that we had much to lose in making an offer before viewing. As many others have pointed out, the EA is likely concerned that we could change our mind on viewing and withdraw our offer. Therefore on viewing the property we could be as likely to withdraw our offer as increase/confirm our offer. Whichever way the viewing goes we will decide on our final offer and not go above this regardless of whether the EA thinks we are mad keen and tries to push us.

Nbutterworth1

Albala wrote: »

That's very sensible. I think that keeping everything cools and civilised helps, however annoying things are at the time. And I would try to be nice to the EAs (whatever you think of them!) they can make life as easy or hard for you as they choose if you go any distance on this property. And I say that as someone who is currently as mad as hell with the HA we're buying through, and for good reason :mad:- I leave dealing them to OH who is much more patient than I am, because that's the best way to get it all done.

Agreed, after renting for 5 years our past dealings with letting agents has somewhat coloured our view. As long as both sides are straight with one another the process is a lot less frustrating regardless of the outcome. Yeah, my partner and I have a bit of a good cop/bad cop thing going on. I'm the good cop, I think......

Good luck with your purchase 👍

Exodi

Nbutterworth1 wrote: »

Exodi wrote:

Really, what is the point of making an offer on a house you haven't viewed? It does't make you look serious or sensible (two qualities that are preferred from someone purchasing someones largest asset...). Was it with the hope that viewings would not be conducted?

There could be a multitude of reasons your offer would be changed when you view the property, why would the EA get the vendors hopes up about an offer when it's not unlikely you may tank your offer after viewing?

It may appear to you to be a grand gesture, but in practice it's farcical at best and I think highlights your naivety as a first time buyer.

What's the point of making an offer? Exactly for the reason you have stated. If the vendor was under pressure to sell quickly then an offer over asking one week before viewings are due to start could be exactly what they're looking for and would have avoided us being dragged into a bidding war with other buyers. I don't dispute that the EA might have reservations about this or that their reasons are any less valid than our reasons for putting in the offer.

Your tone comes across as quite harsh. From looking at your previous threads it would appear that you yourself were only recently a first time buyer. Maybe you should wait until you have a bit more experience yourself before criticising someone else's perceived naivety .

You say 'exactly for the reason you have stated' but I can't fathom what you're referring to in my post? Your whimsical situation of a vendor being under so much pressure to sell quickly that they'd be willing to skip viewings, be against a bidding war and go with a buyer who hasn't viewed the property is purely hypothetical and exists only in your mind.

Your last comment was humourous I admit, I've actually purchased two houses but I am curious to know just how many houses I need to purchase to be able to tell you that trying to buy a house before viewing it is idiotic?

Nonetheless, it's immaterial whether you agree with my stance or not as the estate agent has taken the same view (albeit they probably can't be as frank with you as I've been).

I wish you the genuine best of luck with your viewing, buying houses is very exciting and I honestly hope this house is all you hope it to be.

Nbutterworth1

Exodi wrote: »

You say 'exactly for the reason you have stated' but I can't fathom what you're referring to in my post? Your whimsical situation of a vendor being under so much pressure to sell quickly that they'd be willing to skip viewings, be against a bidding war and go with a buyer who hasn't viewed the property is purely hypothetical and exists only in your mind.

Your last comment was humourous I admit, I've actually purchased two houses but I am curious to know just how many houses I need to purchase to be able to tell you that trying to buy a house before viewing it is idiotic?

Nonetheless, it's immaterial whether you agree with my stance or not as the estate agent has taken the same view (albeit they probably can't be as frank with you as I've been).

I wish you the genuine best of luck with your viewing, buying houses is very exciting and I honestly hope this house is all you hope it to be.

The reason = getting the deal done before viewings take place which will ultimately end up in a bidding war.

Hypothetical? Yes. Otherwise I doubt I'd be here posting on this thread however I will direct you to the post by another forum member quoted below.

If I was selling my house, and somebody expressed interest early, then I'd bite their hand off at the prospect of an easy/quick sale

My issue was never with your stance on this issue. I completely understand why the EA/vendor was not keen on accepting the offer. I was simply pointing out that your chance of language could be interpreted by some as being arrogant. It is possible to present an opposing view without resorting to condescending behaviour.

Despite this I appreciate your well wishes. Hopefully I can report back with some good news next week 🎉