Estate agent not passing on offers?

jonifan

I'm worried an estate agent isn't passing on offers I am making on a property. I initially viewed with another agent and their reaction when I requested a viewing was concern that I'd already viewed through another agent.

The property has been on the market for months. I offered asking price, then went back with an offer of 2k more, which was also rejected.

The same agent is also selling my house, and when I received an offer last week they told me to bite their hand off and were very encouraging that I should accept.

So I am a proceedable buyer but they are not encouraging me to bid more for the house and generally unenthusiastic about my offers. It has made me suspicious that they are not passing them on.

Any advice on how to handle? Is difficult situation as they are handing my house sale!

nrsql

Maybe they are concerned about the previous agent trying to claim fees.
Or maybe the property isn't really available
Or maybe they have someone else (a friend) interested and are trying to get a bargain (bit cynical).

G_M

It's always a problem where a buyer is introduced by two agents.Unless the seller has specifically agreed with themboth who will get paid, there is a real risk of 2 sets of commission claims.

But the agent is only going to get paid if they sell the property, which can only be done by passing offers to the seller. So it may well be the seller who is rejecting the offers (how many other offers are they getting from the 2 (or more) agents?).

But if in doubt, put your offer in writing to the agent, and put a copy through the seller's letter box .....

eddddy

jonifan wrote: »

I'm worried an estate agent isn't passing on offers I am making on a property. I initially viewed with another agent and their reaction when I requested a viewing was concern that I'd already viewed through another agent.

You shouldn't have got involved with the second agent.

You should have arranged further viewings with the original agent, and made offers through the original agent - i.e. you should only deal with the agent that introduced you.


By being introduced by the first agent, and then negotiating with the second agent, you've probably made the seller liable for 2 sets of fees if you buy.

That puts you at a disadvantage.

You'll need to offer more than other buyers, to cover the seller's extra fees.

jonifan

I should have clarified that it is no longer on the market with the first agent. They have switched agents - hence why I contacted the second agent.

G_M

jonifan wrote: »

I should have clarified that it is no longer on the market with the first agent. They have switched agents - hence why I contacted the second agent.

Makes no difference.


The 1st agent originally introduced you to the property, and so (depending on the precise contract betwen seller and 1st agent) the 1st agent can claim they did their job and demand their commission from the seller.

jonifan

Should I go back to the original seller?

This is the only house I've seen that I've wanted to offer on - after seeing a LOT - so I'm so worried that I'm being blocked.

jonifan

ps: also the second agent has knocked the price down a fair bit. So wouldn't that make a case for it being a different deal?

I saw the property originally a month ago, priced 10% more.

eddddy

jonifan wrote: »

ps: also the second agent has knocked the price down a fair bit. So wouldn't that make a case for it being a different deal?

I saw the property originally a month ago, priced 10% more.

It still makes no difference.

You should go back to the agent that introduced you.

You can offer 10% less (or 15% or 20% less) than the original asking price, if you want - but you should do it through the agent that introduced you.


(Typically, the first agent will be allowed to claim commission for people they introduce for up to 6 months.

Had you waited more than 6 months, you could have gone to the second agent.)

jonifan

My estate agent has now shown my buyer (offer accepted) the property I was trying to put offers on.

I am absolutely gobsmacked - is this legal?

Thrugelmir

jonifan wrote: »

My estate agent has now shown my buyer (offer accepted) the property I was trying to put offers on.

I am absolutely gobsmacked - is this legal?

Your prospective buyer has a right to change their mind. Nothing illegal. As nothing legal has been signed.