Knocking on sellers door?

VforVeidt

We found a house in London that we quite like, a good area and a decent price (though the place needs a LOT of work). We are however suspicious of some of the information the EA is giving us. So we are thinking to go and knock on the seller's door. We don't want to go behind the EA's back and make a deal that way, but just to have a chat with the landlord about the house and condition, etc.. Mostly to find out who really lives there.
Given that we are new to house buying... would this be acceptable? We of course don't want to !!!!!! anyone off. Thanks.

BrassicWoman

I wouldn't be knocking on doors during social distancing, no.

blue_max_3

You could drop a note with your phone number. Though if they have something to hide, I wouldn't hold your breath.

hazyjo

Confused whether it's rented out or not. You say the landlord's door? Do you mean they live elsewhere, or the door of the house that's for sale?

I wouldn't be knocking on anyone's door, Covid or no Covid. It'll just pee off the owner/tenant and the EA. They're paying an EA to handle enquiries.

What is it they're telling you and what are you unsure about? Whether it's rented out?

macman

The only info that the EA is giving out is that provided by the vendor. Garbage in, garbage out...

VforVeidt

hazyjo said:

Confused whether it's rented out or not. You say the landlord's door? Do you mean they live elsewhere, or the door of the house that's for sale?

I wouldn't be knocking on anyone's door, Covid or no Covid. It'll just pee off the owner/tenant and the EA. They're paying an EA to handle enquiries.

What is it they're telling you and what are you unsure about? Whether it's rented out?

It's not rented out, so we thought about knocking on the door of the house that's for sale. Supposedly the landlord lives there, but that is one of the things which we are actually suspicious about (to us it looks like no one has been living there for a while).  

hazyjo

So when you say landlord, you just mean owner?

Does it matter if he's been living elsewhere? They did suggest couples move in together during lockdown. Perhaps he's been at his partner's place. Not sure I'd want to tell a stranger viewing my house that it was currently empty either (nor would I want the EA telling people).

MysteryMe

No one wants some random knocking on their door at any time never mind during a time when we are still required to follow lock down measures.

eddddy

VforVeidt said:

We found a house in London that we quite like, a good area and a decent price (though the place needs a LOT of work). We are however suspicious of some of the information the EA is giving us. So we are thinking to go and knock on the seller's door. We don't want to go behind the EA's back and make a deal that way, but just to have a chat with the landlord about the house and condition, etc.. Mostly to find out who really lives there.
Given that we are new to house buying... would this be acceptable? We of course don't want to !!!!!! anyone off. Thanks.

What is the EA saying that you don't believe? And what do you think the EA's motive would be for misleading you?

The EA will want the property sold asap to get their commission, so they won't be doing anything to prevent a deal being made.

Also, EAs are professional negotiators and their job is making deals happen. Are you sure you can do a better job of persuading the seller to accept whatever offer you make than the EA can?

Mickey666

There are many reasons for not knocking on the seller's door but 'worrying about going behind the EA's back' isn't one of them.  The EA's feelings are irrelevant.

Worrying about upsetting/annoying the seller is what you should be concerned about and you should bear in mind that they might have engaged an EA specifically to avoid having to deal directly with buyers (for all manners of possible reasons).

Ultimately your call though.

pinkteapot

If I were the seller you’d be told to please contact my estate agent. If I’d wanted to deal with buyers direct I wouldn’t have used an agent.

If you really want to try talking to them directly then book a(nother) viewing through the agent and chat them then. But when I’ve sold and viewers have tried to make an offer I’ve told them to do it through the agent.