Is this too pushy?

SarahLu

MysteryMe wrote: »

It's nothing to do with feeling terrible. There is a reason why most people do not follow the advice you are referring too and it's not because we are all snowflakes frightened to offend.

The transaction is 2/3 months down the line.

The vendor is likely to be in a chain. By this time the buyer is likely to have had their mortgage offer in place and survey done so the vendor knows they are dealing with someone who can at least proceed. Why on earth would the vendor jeopardise their onward purchase by starting the process again from scratch for a few extra grand from someone who may or may not get the level of mortgage they need? This is not a repossession sale.

You would have to make a substantial offer over what is already on the table for any vendor to ditch their existing sale, assuming the vendor is minded to act that way in the first place and I wouldn't entertain it. I would view you as someone who could not be relied upon, I'd be thinking if you were that keen why didn't you offer when you had the chance. Perhaps you'd be one of those people who try and gazunder at the last minute. I'd stick with my bird in the hand rather than 2 in the bush

The other important thing to consider is if you are offering more than the property is worth then it's you that will have to top up the difference in any mortgage offer shortfall, the lender wont.

There will be other houses, it's a quiet time of year so you may have to wait a few months. If you are able to, actually go into EA offices. Try and build up a relationship. Make yourself memorable, but not for the wrong reasons.

I don't intend to make an offer, only to remind the agent that I'm interested should it not go through.

kdotdotdotdot

SarahLu wrote: »

I don't intend to make an offer, only to remind the agent that I'm interested should it not go through.

Well, presumably, you DO intend to make an offer if the sale doesn't go through? Otherwise what's the point?

SarahLu

kdotdotdotdot wrote: »

Well, presumably, you DO intend to make an offer if the sale doesn't go through? Otherwise what's the point?

IF the sale doesn't go through then yes, at that stage clearly I would make an offer!

MysteryMe

If there are similar type houses in the same street(s) as this one you could always ask the agent if they would be willing to leaflet those houses advising they have a keen buyer looking for a house like theirs etc?

I know I get such leaflets every couple of months or so but never responded as not interested in selling, but I assume they must get some responses through them otherwise why bother doing it.

Puflet

Rather than making enquiries about that house - where the sale's already under way - ask if they have similar ones.

I'd been intending to put my house on the market, but there were various delays (roof sprung a leak, that sort of thing!) but one of the things that really got me moving with all the decorating and making good was a leaflet from a local estate agent - saying they had a client who had lost out on a recent purchase and was looking for a property like mine.

I didn't really believe it... but then the first person to view made an offer, and it was on the market for less than a week!

Basically, you've got nothing to lose. By asking if they've got similar properties you're giving them a clear idea of what you're after; if the deal does fall through then you're in their sights, and if you go into the branch regularly you're letting them know you're a serious applicant.

BoGoF

If it doesn't go through then surely you will see it being remarketed? The chances of it not going through now are very slim.

You are sounding a bit of a timewaster to be honest. Accept that that ship has sailed and look elsewhere.

SarahLu

BoGoF wrote: »

If it doesn't go through then surely you will see it being remarketed? The chances of it not going through now are very slim.

You are sounding a bit of a timewaster to be honest. Accept that that ship has sailed and look elsewhere.

Well no, the agent did advise when I spoke to them that they would contact anyone interested if the sale fell through, so if one of those were interested then it might not need to be remarketed and therefore I wouldn't see it.

Not sure how leaving one message with the agent about a property I like is being a timewaster, but OK!

Thanks for the other useful replies about similar houses. This house was quite unique, I haven't seen anything else like it but maybe something else will come up.

Davesnave

kdotdotdotdot wrote: »

Well, presumably, you DO intend to make an offer if the sale doesn't go through? Otherwise what's the point?

What's the point of coming onto a forum if you are going to interpret every statement literally and out of context?

OP was replying to others who were suggesting she might attempt to gazump; something she has not shown any inclination towards doing.

PasturesNew

I'd wander in and meet the agent face to face, have a discussion about what's on their books, then drop the previous place into the conversation ... "I viewed.... how's that going?"

An agent will ALWAYS sound chipper in response though, they'll not admit if things are looking flakey as it's their job to be super positive about every house, every price, every sale and progress.

You can then say "If you get another one just like that, call me".

Davesnave

I agree with Pastures. Don't worry about wasting anyone's time; make a habit of wandering in every month or so. So much is done by email these days that people forget to make proper contact so the EA can put a face to the name.

Some EAs are even passably human and might even do like they used to in the old days and say, "Well, there's one in (street name) coming up shortly, shall we text you when it's live?" (In the old days they'd phone or put a first draft in the post, that sort of thing)

Of course, it depends where you are to some extent. Down here in Ruralshire, where things move more slowly, the agents are very different from the ones in the bigger cities.