Dealing with estate agents - how not to pull your hair out?!

ClaireB182

What is the best way to deal with pushy estate agents? Im already finding it stressful!

Im not someone who responds well to sales patter and just want agents to be honest and straight to the point. When they contradict themselves in one single phone call, how can I trust a single thing they say? Several have phoned me up to go through what we are looking for in our next property but are then sending properties through which are totally not what we asked for i.e sending mid terrace houses when we have specifically said we dont want a mid terrace. Or they will send an email and if I havent answered it within a few hours they are chasing my response. AAAARRGGGGHHH!!! :eek:

I can handle the move, solicitor etc but these guys are already annoying me. Can anyone relate please and how did you deal with it?

System

Be firm but polite, to the point, and just try to ignore their sales patter. They just want to shift what's on their books, and would prefer you to abandon any preferences you might have, and instead just agree to buy what they are selling. I find it easier just to look myself on Rightmove rather than ask EAs to send me anything.

hazyjo

I gave up with EAs sending stuff. It's too computerised these days. I had one send me everything from flats in Stratford to a house in Bury St Edmunds when I was looking in Leigh on Sea.


Just check RM. The market generally isn't moving fast enough to need to view before properties hit the market.


Sorry, but you're asking way too much to expect an EA to be 'honest and straight to the point' lol. I've maybe met 3 or 4 like that, but the majority are very salesy and know how to stretch the truth. I refused to even deal with the one before last which I bought through and insisted everything was put in email rather than ringing me. I'm not easily broken but one had me in tears a couple of times on the phone when I was trying to offer. Nasty horrible man.


Pot luck unfortunately.

ReadingTim

Unfortunately, houses are usually sold by estate agents, so frankly you've just got to suck it up and concentrate on the bigger picture - finding yourself a bigger and better house.

So which do you want more: a new house, or not having to deal with a pushy salesman?

sillyhilly

Set up a rule in your inbox to direct all EA emails related to 'potential' properties to the junk folder.

Go on Rightmove and find a property that fits your requirements.

Phone up the EA to book a viewing.

Go to the viewing.

If you like the property, offer and start having fun with the next hurdle of dealing with EAs. If you don't like the property, politely let them know (as it's only a courtesy) that you're not interested.

Repeat Steps 2-5.

System

sillyhilly wrote: »

Set up a rule in your inbox to direct all EA emails related to 'potential' properties to the junk folder.

Go on Rightmove and find a property that fits your requirements.

Phone up the EA to book a viewing.

Go to the viewing.

If you like the property, offer and start having fun with the next hurdle of dealing with EAs. If you don't like the property, politely let them know (as it's only a courtesy) that you're not interested.

Repeat Steps 2-5.

Absolutely, that's when the fun really starts. Although, at that point, it's probably best to keep conversations with EAs to the barest possible minimum, and to keep on looking, and hopefully finding, something else that you like equally or more.

ClaireB182

ReadingTim wrote: »

Unfortunately, houses are usually sold by estate agents, so frankly you've just got to suck it up and concentrate on the bigger picture - finding yourself a bigger and better house.

So which do you want more: a new house, or not having to deal with a pushy salesman?

Thanks for the advice, even if it is patronising. I'm well aware I will have to deal with EA's, all I wanted was some advice. I have a long term illness and I am finding it hard going, just like everyone who moves house. Oh, and we are downsizing not looking for a 'bigger and better house' but hey, assume away........................

ClaireB182

hazyjo wrote: »

I gave up with EAs sending stuff. It's too computerised these days. I had one send me everything from flats in Stratford to a house in Bury St Edmunds when I was looking in Leigh on Sea.


Just check RM. The market generally isn't moving fast enough to need to view before properties hit the market.


Sorry, but you're asking way too much to expect an EA to be 'honest and straight to the point' lol. I've maybe met 3 or 4 like that, but the majority are very salesy and know how to stretch the truth. I refused to even deal with the one before last which I bought through and insisted everything was put in email rather than ringing me. I'm not easily broken but one had me in tears a couple of times on the phone when I was trying to offer. Nasty horrible man.


Pot luck unfortunately.

Sorry to hear you had that experience. As if moving isnt stressful enough! Good tip to get things in writing - thank you

System

ClaireB182 wrote: »

Sorry to hear you had that experience. As if moving isnt stressful enough! Good tip to get things in writing - thank you

You'll often find EAs hate putting things in writing, though, because it can be used as evidence against them. If forced, they will write the barest minimum, eg a single line, which is funny because when they are talking verbally you cannot shut up their sales patter!

need_an_answer

OP.... stay focused on what you want rather than being swayed too much by what the agent wants to show you or send you in continual email onslaught

Realistically you have a clear idea what you want and agents have a set of property they need to market which may or may not meet your criteria.

I do sympathise with you having only recently successfully managed to remove myself from agents calling and marketing lists 5 months after I finished my property search.

All I can say is once you do find the property you want going forward you should get les and less contact with the agent as its then progressed via the solicitors...and hold onto that thought that once you are in your new place they will become a distant memory...

Having said stay focused and true to your criteria,glance at what they send, occasionally a wild card can prove interesting to view.

How to deal with the phone calls asking for feedback is a really difficult one for some prople...as a seller you want to know what someone thought of your property,the one you've tidied and presented to within an inch of its life for the viewing..and that you see no reason as a seller why each potential buyer through the door isn't offering on the spot!....
as a buyer when you are faced with the agent enthusiastically asking what you thought,then often its very difficult to give a reason other than "sorry that one wasn't for me"....of course you don't want to offend the seller by saying their room sizes were not good or whatever...the simple fact is the property didn't grab you enough to proceed to an offer....

Again...be honest if a little vague with your responses. Agents will hopefully not push you for further feedback unless you then feel you want to add anything.



Best of luck with your search.

hazyjo

ClaireB182 wrote: »

Sorry to hear you had that experience. As if moving isnt stressful enough! Good tip to get things in writing - thank you

Sadly they're the ones I was buying the house through (eventually) which is why I insisted on it all being in writing. Made something up about not being able to take calls at work (he still tried ringing immediately in response to my email!) so I blocked the number completely. I'd leave the 'email only' to when you eventually buy through one if you find them impossible to deal with - presuming you have very regular access to emails.