Viewing 'off market'

Srt85hil

Morning everyone

We're just about to put our house on the market in the next few weeks and have had a few valuations.
We've not yet decided on an agent but one of the agents has contacted us to arrange an 'off market' viewing for someone who has an offer on their flat through them.

Has anyone got any experience with this? What might the agents game plan be? We'd probably only accept an offer if it was much higher than our valuations, otherwise we can just wait and go out to market.
If we did accept an offer, what would the agent expect? A finder's fee of some sort? Where do you start in pitching that? 

Any thoughts welcome! 

user1977

Srt85hil said:

If we did accept an offer, what would the agent expect? A finder's fee of some sort? 

I don't see that they'd be entitled to anything unless you had signed up with them in some way before an offer is made...

Flugelhorn

personally I would be a bit wary in case it is a ploy to get you to sign up with them - I have been told that there are "people waiting to see properties " - yes I thought and they have told that to every agent in town

EssexHebridean

Have you asked the Agent what the deal is? 

ReadingTim

The EA is trying to get you to go with them - by accepting their viewing, they'll claim you're accepting their terms of business, fees, exclusivity rights etc without having the opportunity to negotiate, or go with a cheaper/better value agent.  

Do not allow the viewing until you have chosen an agent, agreed fees etc and signed the contract.  And if it's not with this outfit, tell them to !!!!!! off - if the buyer is interested (or even exists), they'll find the property themselves via the agent you eventually appoint.  

Srt85hil

Thanks for the responses.

I can see absolutely that the agent is trying to win the business but I can't see any problem with allowing someone to view.

If they made an offer that we were minded to accept, then there would be a conversion to be had with the agent, but we're not doing anything to commit ourselves contractually.

Surely there's nothing to lose? 

user1977

Srt85hil said:

Surely there's nothing to lose? 

You lose finding out what the response would be if you exposed the property to the market.

ReadingTim

The problem will arise if you allow the viewing but appoint another agent, and the viewer makes an offer which you accept, making you liable for fees to both the agent you appointed AND the first agent who introduced the buyer.  

AskAsk

only allow the viewing if you want to use that agent any way.  as someone had said, it will get complicated if the person makes an offer and you don't want to use that agent anyway.

MikeJXE

It's a con to get you to sign with them

If there is a viewer (potential buyer) they will want to view whoever you decide to go with 

Slinky

You can sign a contract with them for a fee you agree with them, payable only if Mrs/Mr X go on to buy your property. You are still able to sign an agreement with another agency if you advise them, in writing, that you have previously allowed the viewing by the named individuals for which you will not pay your new agency a fee.

Anything is possible if you agree it in advance.

ETA, you will probably be presented with standard terms from the single viewer agency. Read them thoroughly, cross out and change anything which doesn't apply (initialling your changes).