Should I question the integrity of my estate agent?

Elze

RHemmings said:

Elze said:

It's easy to judge when you don't know someone's situation. There's a lot more to it. We did have good divorce lawyers, and it was a reasonably fair judgement (albeit he got off lightly). But it was based on the value of the house, which has since fallen significantly. No one's fault. But it's mostly the problem of the person with little income, who has less of a chance of earning more.

Can you make your ex-partner an offer, for an increased price for the house? If he questions it you can say that the fall in the value of the house is causing you difficulties, and given his better financial situation, perhaps he could be generous in this circumstance. You can mention that you and he (presumably) refused a slightly higher offer in the past. 

It's a given that I don't know his personality and you may be able to predict how he would respond to you. 

That's indeed a great idea in another world. He no longer communicates with me or acknowledges my existence, and has no intention of being generous, in fact throughout he has been trying to do the opposite.

BikingBud

Might I ask why the ongoing support you settled for was not based on an income in cash rather than a percentage of an asset that may increase or as you have found decrease.

In that case it doesn't matter what occurs to the house or how much it might realise when sold, you have agreed for a figure how you ex pays for that is not your concern.

Suzycoll

Elze said:

I am selling the family home with my ex-partner. He still lives in the property, while I live in a rental property, and we have chosen an estate agent jointly.

The house has been on the market for 5 months, and we haven't found a buyer. My ex-husband has now suggested he buys my share of the house. However, the price he offers is below the last offer we have received. When I commented I would like a fair price, I received a letter from our joint estate agent that the current market appraisal of the property is... exactly the price my ex is offering.

This all seems rather convenient. Should I doubt the integrity of the estate agent? I would like to ask some kind of trade association for estate agents, or standards association for help. Is there such a thing? My initial Google searches didn't bring up anything in particular. 

Clearly it's in the interest of my ex to get the house for a low price. It's also in the interest of the estate agent, as he will get his fees without having found a buyer.

For background. 

- The house was appraised by this estate agent for 1,5 mln in January 2023, then went on the market for 1,4 mln in Nov 2023, as indeed all graphs showed house prices had fallen significantly in the area due to rises in mortgage rates. We then received an offer in March 2024 for 1,3 mln, which we accepted. However, the offer fell through. The current offer of my ex is 20K below that, and the estate agent supports that is a good price.

- The contract with the estate agent clearly states they will get their fee if they have initiated negotiations. So, indeed, they haven't found an external buyer, but will still get their fees as they started negotiations between me and my ex

- The divorce settlement only states we 'agree on a market rate'

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

hi
this is probably not helpful but - I would not trust an estate agent or an ex husband!

get three estate agents in for valuation and start the conversation from there