Opinions on estate agent and whether to raise an issue

Wes121708

We've recently put our house on the market last week and have had 9 viewings. 
Whilst we were away for a few days we had several viewings and had feedback to say that a couple we're very interested and would be making an offer once they are in a position to do so. They have to put their house on which we have been informed will be next week.
Our problem is that whilst we were away we checked our outside camera to check everything was ok and picked up that on a viewing this morning there was another couple who asked the agent if we've had any offers and much interest. The agents response was no. That 3 viewings were booked in for today and they had some last week. There was no mention of anyone showing an interest in it or mention of a possible offer coming in depending obviously on outcome of the other viewing yesterday! 
The agents just didn't seem to have any enthusiasm and came across quite down beat and discussing it being slow at the moment.
Is this the norm with agent's and how would we mention that we aren't really happy with the way they came across to us? 
When we've looked at houses we like an enthusiastic person and a bit of personal skills which we don't this this agent really comes across well with!

Tiglet2

I can't see what issue there is to raise with the estate agent.

You've had 9 viewings and 3 more booked.  That tells me that your property is viewing well, reaching a good number of potential purchasers and represents a realistic asking price.

If I were the agent I wouldn't be telling a viewer that there was a strong possibility of an offer on the way from another potential purchaser.  You don't have an offer and the purchaser hasn't got their property on the market, so they are not proceedable.

While I can understand your frustration about the agent's enthusiasm, that won't influence whether or not someone likes the property enough to want to buy it.  As long as it doesn't put people off walking through the door, but why would they - the house is what they've come to view not the agent's personality. 

With the amount of viewings you've had, I would expect you to receive at least one offer, hopefully more.  Then you can decide which party is more proceedable (i.e. already sold, no chain, cash buyer etc), but I'm afraid you've got a long way to go and probably many more 'issues' on the horizon before you get anywhere near completion.

gwynlas

Was it the EA who signed you up for sale or another just accompanying viewers?

I think that you are lucky having had nine viewings in current market so would be expecting meaningful feedback.

I would have to make something of the lack of enthusiasm shown, particularly as whilst you do not want them to be overboard in praise of the property, they are meant to engage with the customers to increase chances of sale

Wes121708

Thanks both, maybe we're stressing over nothing. 
It's just an agent accompanying viewings and you're right, we're getting people through the door.
I think it's because when we met them we didn't get any warmth or connection but some people are happy with the hands off approach and minimal interaction.
We'll see what the feed back is next week.

Smalltownhypocrite

Many EA don't actually know anything about the house they're showing, its not 'their' house they where just field agents booked to unlock it and let people look around.

The house we are buying the woman showing give a whole speech about how there has been loads of viewing and a dozen more booked and its really popular with developers and going to be a bidding war. Except it just went to market, we where the first view (family friends) and they specifically only want to sell to a family not a developer/landlord.

Another one the EA said how one we viewed was probate of elderly couple with no family or beneficiary etc... couldn't answer who it was being sold for. On viewing their was a state of the art gaming room with minecraft stuff etc... very popular hobby with childfree very elderly pensioners lol. Clearly someone younger was around in their life to benefit from the sale.

TheJP

The EA basically told them how it is, no offers and there are more viewings happening. Why is this a concern?

Hoenir

Smalltownhypocrite said:

Many EA don't actually know anything about the house they're showing, its not 'their' house they where just field agents booked to unlock it and let people look around.

Most properties consist of rooms. The decor is personal taste. Likewise the fixtures and fittings. Location is self explantory. End of the day a property is what you buy a home is what you make it. 

david29dpo

The agent may farm the viewings out, a lot do. Only interested in the money most likely.
You could tell the agent (they need to know the crap staff they use)
You are paying after-all !!

Sapindus

I wouldn't consider a potential offer, from someone who hasn't even got their own house on the market yet, to be something the agent particularly needs to pass on to further potential buyers.  The flip side of that is the new viewers coming on here and complaining that they were hustled into making an offer by an agent "making up offers".  The new viewers may even be put off by thinking a house is already under offer.

Flugelhorn

david29dpo said:

The agent may farm the viewings out, a lot do. Only interested in the money most likely.
You could tell the agent (they need to know the crap staff they use)
You are paying after-all !!

certainly there used to be people who just did viewings for multiple agents  on a casual basis

bobster2

Wes121708 said:

Our problem is that whilst we were away we checked our outside camera to check everything was ok and picked up that on a viewing this morning there was another couple who asked the agent if we've had any offers and much interest. 

If you want to raise anything with the agent - then you're going to have to make it clear to them that you're recording and listening to conversations they are having on the doorstep.