Why does it feel like estate agents hate FTBs?

FTB0212

Hi there,

FTB here. I've been "sold" 2 properties so far where the actual property varies wildly than what has been advertised. I had:
1) Offer accepted on a property advertised everywhere as "with a garden" that the owner didn't actually own when the revealed this to me 2+ months into conveyancing process and them and the agents had a "oh, whoops" moment ?! Then agents get really aggressive with me for haggling on the price as if I should have known this all along. Utter jokers.

2) Offer accepted on a property which was obvious needed some TLC (hadn't been lived in for a while, really had been let go but overall was a "solid house"). I am happy to offer on the basis of the works pointed out/clearly visible after multiple viewings. Later get the results of my survey which reveals innumerous hidden issues which would be a significant undertaking to rectify. I go back to the seller/agent on this due to the spend and my surveyor basically saying I should be renegotiating significantly on price. I know the agent is actively advocating against my offer (despite this being a reasonable reflection of the revised position, asking for original offer less costs of the works to make the property liveable from companies who have provided reliable quotes!!). I know this is what is happening behind the scenes because a week ago I was told they'd accept £[number] and now today after back and forth the "acceptable" number has moved because of the general market activity which is also a joke.

Basically I do not know what is going on here. It seems baffling to me the situations I have encountered with estate agents and I get the distinct feeling that agents don't like FTB who know what they are at (they can think logically about a property, come up with a reasonable revised offer if issues come to light and back this up). One would have thought that is perfectly reasonable behaviour... yet I just wonder if I was not a single female buying my first home and was instead say, a couple, or a family, that I would be treated differently and have had better chance of success. 

I have also wondered if it could be in any way my personal dealings with estate agents to explain some of the behaviours I have seen... I would say I am a generally polite - but straight talking - in my discussions and I don't have an issue stating my position with confidence emphasising my position to put me in the best light. Maybe estate agents don't like that?!

Sorry, this was just a bit of a vent I guess... but genuinely am baffled by how much aggression has shown to me as a FTB. Feels like estate agents get rubbed up the wrong way with FTB who can't be bullied / manipulated - maybe that's what its all about!

jaelato1

EA can be bullies if you let them, good thing you stood your ground. i'll say keep searching if you are not in any hurry, more stock comes up in spring

lisyloo

Welcome to the house buying process.
sounds normal to me and you sound like someone who’s switched on.
they don’t like your due dilligence
whether there is an element of misogyny? Quite possibly.

people slag off the quality of new builds but you don’t tend to get those problems (just a different set).

F37A

Yeah have found this as a FTB. Has been tough. Have met some nice and not so nice EAs. I've ditched the not so nice ones and their company. 

Slithery

Nothing to do with the EA.

It's the vendor that makes the decision on what to accept.

[Deleted User]

It's a seller's market so they aren't inclined to treat buyers well. They have cash buyers and buy to let, easy sales, so haven't got much time for people who actually want live there.

eddddy

The EAs just want the sale to complete so that they get paid their fee. (They won't care much if it's for the original offer price, or a reduced price.)

So they will say or do whatever they think is most likely to make the sale complete.

For example, when you reduce an offer for whatever reason, the EA will probably do 2 things:

• The EA will tell you you're being unreasonable, and try to persuade you not to reduce it...
• The EA will tell the seller that you're being very reasonable and try to persuade the seller to accept your reduced offer

And the EA will hope that one of you gives in - or perhaps you both compromise - so that the EA gets their commission.


Some EAs will do this in an aggressive way, some will do it in a smarmy way - but perhaps the better EAs will try to make you feel like they're your friend, and they're giving you helpful advice.

Sandtree

First of all, not a single thing you've mentioned seems to be point at your being a FTB, female or single.  Some people are a pain in the !!!!!! to everyone and some people don't realise that they are a pain in the !!!!!! and that's why they inspire a similar response from others.

An estate agent in principle works for the vendor, they take their instruction from them, they are paid by them and their job is to maximise the selling price. Not there to be your friend, not there to help you get a fair deal or anything else.

In practice, an estate agent cares more about getting the sale than if its +/- £5k as it makes little difference to them and their time would be better spent on securing the next sale. As such they will tell you that your crazy to try and drop your price and at the same time will tell the vendor that they'd be crazy not to accept it. 

I can certainly see why FTBs could be annoying given their lack of understanding of the process, extra questions, more nerves etc but not related to what you are saying which is more the general cut and thrust of house buying. 

Thrugelmir

Sounds if you are getting emotionally wound up over what is a business transaction. Where niceties count for little. EA's might take the stick, but buyers and vendors alike can be complete pains in the backside. People are people. People make great actors too. 

Mimi123456

Unfortunately most EAs don’t care about anyone in the process. They don’t care too much about the vendor either. All they want is to sell asap and get their commission.
Therefore their perfect buyer is a deaf, blind and mime overseas investor who doesn’t ask many questions and quickly proceeds with the purchase 😅
FTBs are often the opposite of that.

lookstraightahead

Some people think FTB are naive so are shocked when they're not. I don't know why they don't 'like' to sell to them sometimes as they're not in a chain, as that's a huge advantage if the vendor is serious about moving,  It's probably because they 'usually' can't plug the difference between the offer price and what a lender realistically values the property at.

as the market changes vendors and EAs will have less choice and will start to come to their senses.

I've sold to first time buyers but then I'm always happy to move on myself into rented. And FTB are often eager to get on with things rather than waiting for others to find their "forever home".

some vendors just don't like questions and want to sell, over the valuation, and move in their own sweet time sometimes years later.