Why won't the agent take no for an answer?

Cuilean

Our local market is currently dead. We're not too worried as we're not in a situation where we must move - we'd just like to live closer to family. We've been on the market for a couple of months with our current agent, and already dropped the price to £250k on their advice. Realistically, we need to achieve £240k to avoid a real-terms loss. If it's not achievable, we'll just take it off the market, and we've been honest with the agent about that.

The have been 3 viewings, one of which resulted in an offer £40k under the asking price, which we declined, and reminded the agent of the £240k minimum. Buyer then offered £35k under, which we declined, then £30k under with our white goods included. We declined.

I've now received a five paragraph sob story/buyer biography email from the manager, saying that we really ought to accept the offer because nobody else is buying houses just now, and "These buyers are lovely people who deserve it". There were also some unprofessional digs about the house which hadn't been mentioned before. They signed off by saying they'd be calling me on Tuesday to see if we'd changed our minds.

My suspicion is that with the local market as flat as it is, they're desperate to make a sale, even one where they'd take a hit on their commission. However, I am fed up with repeating "No," and I feel sorry for the buyers who are no doubt being told "They're still thinking about it", when we clearly aren't. How can I get this agent to understand that no means no?

Simby

Just tell your agent not to submit any offers to you below 240k tell them this in writing.

Brodiebobs

Agree above, or pull it off if you don’t like the offers being made, and especially if you feel they’re being unprofessional.

On the flip side though as a buyer I we were interested in probate sale house, we viewed with the agent, it had been on the market about 4 months with no offers and we discussed with agent what they were prepared to accept.

Made two offers slightly below, and at the amount and both were declined by a different person at the agency as insulting, without them being put to the vendor.

We were aggrieved they were not passed on so put a polite note through the door explain we were interested and to call us.. the son did, and accepted our much lower offer.

So I can see if from both sides.

G_M

change agent?

Crashy_Time

EA``s need to eat too!

[Deleted User]

No they don't.., they can live off avarice alone when forced to.

theartfullodger

Ask them which part of NO they didn't understand.

FreeBear

Cuilean wrote: »

I've now received a five paragraph sob story/buyer biography email from the manager, saying that we really ought to accept the offer because nobody else is buying houses just now, and "These buyers are lovely people who deserve it".

A relative of mine sold her house three years ago to a "lovely couple that were desperate for a family home".... The buyers converted the place in to two flats and flipped the place for a tidy profit. Suffice to say, the relative was quite miffed about it. So never trust anything an estate agent tells you. If their lips are moving, they are probably lying.

hazyjo

EAs can be persistent. You basically need to toughen up (which we can't teach you) or do what I did to a nasty set of agents I once had to deal with on a purchase (I'm not good at toughening up lol!) and say something like it's difficult taking calls at work so please email or text or whatever. I blocked their number for good measure as they still tried to call me!

Gwendo40

For once in my life I'm going to side with the agent in this case.

Your house is obviously on for a deluded and unrealistic asking price and you might as well stop wasting everyone's time... potential buyers, your agents and your own... and just remove it from the market.

SG27

Did the agent value it at that price?

It looks as though they know they can't sell the house at the current price and probably do not want to waste more time and money marketing it so are desperate to get you to accept a lower offer.

It's the EAs own fault here. If, at the appraisal, they had told you honestly what you could realistically hope to achieve then you may have decided not to waste your time.