Dodgy estate agents

MayDogsandCoffee

@Smalltownhypocrite I wondered how the address was shared too, all very strange.

MilliesAunty

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856595#Comment_81856595

The estate agent described our house location to her in quite a bit of detail.

I didn't consent to that.

Can you see why I'm worried?

saajan_12

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652402/dodgy-estate-agents

Its not great service, but that's about it. The commission would still be due if she ended up selling the house to you, as the commission liability would be based on whether you complete, not based on the service provided.

monkey-fingers

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856717#Comment_81856717

I think this is the fairest point.

The estate agent is clearly telling lies, but then I'd expect that. I learnt early on that they're snake oil salesmen and to take everything they say with a large pinch of salt.

Those that are trying to make excuses for the Estate Agent are very sad though. And there's a lot of them in this thread.

MilliesAunty

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856724#Comment_81856724

Thanks monkey fingers.

I'm just trying to anticipate what may happen next. The seller has clearly lost her confidence in the estate agent.

I had them value my house and really wasn't impressed with them and wouldn't have chosen them myself.

I am naive and I have no shame in admitting it. I'm not a developer, estate agent or property expert, nor is the seller.

She has inherited a family home and has an emotional tie to the house which is completely understandable.

My family has grown since we bought our house and we would appreciate an extra bedroom. It's not essential that we move but it would make life easier.

I thought that the job of estate agents was to facilitate the sale of a house on behalf of the seller but this lot seem to have their own agenda to get an accepted offer ASAP. I don't know if it's something to do with them being a franchise of a national chain, maybe it's for reporting their figures.

Its worth saying that this house has only been on the market for 2 weeks and is advertised as "offers over" so quite why the estate agent was pushing an offer that was under I don't know.

I turned to this thread out of confusion. I don't like being misrepresented in case it causes problems later on.

I've been clear and open with everyone but maybe this is just how property is, everyone wheeling and dealing and working to their own agendas. Sure am glad it's not my occupation.

ExEstateAgent

This all sounds very odd.

You are saying the EA had an offer from someone with no chain that they suggested to the vendor that they accept?

It's entirely up to the vendors whether or not to accept the offer. If it's too low they should just tell the EA they don't accept it. It's then up to the other buyer whether or not to raise their offer.

Your offer is frankly meaningless at the moment as you aren't in a position to buy. Once you have an acceptable offer on your property then you are in a position to buy and proceed. Most EA's won't take offers from people who aren't proceedable, although an 'expression of interest' is fine.

It could take many months before you get an offer. If the vendor gets an acceptable offer tomorrow from someone who can proceed do you think they'll say no and wait for you to sell instead?

I think you should go back to the EA, clarify exactly what the situation is and proceed with your efforts to sell assuming no other offer is being accepted. I would also avoid speaking directly to the other party, if they do contact you again just explain you're trying to sell and hope that you can do so before they take any other offer.

TheJP

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652402/dodgy-estate-agents

ow did the sellers know where you live? There are so many holes in this that im not sure its a real scenario.

Bigphil1474

When we sold in 2024 , we had an offer of full asking price from someone who wasn't proceedable. We said thanks, let us know when you are sold, meanwhile we'll keep marketing the house. EA's won't recommend accepting an offer from someone who hasn't even got their house on the market, they usually don't even let you view a house if you aren't already on the market. I suspect this is more of a case of crossed wires. EA's might be a bit dodge in many ways, but their primary aim is to get paid. They don't get paid if the house isn't sold. But the difference of a few £k in sales price is only a few quid to them. Our EA charged 1% + VAT commission, so on a £300k purchase that's £3k plus VAT - a £295k purchase would be £2,950.Hardly worth going all cloak and dagger over.

OP, The advice I got was to get my house ready for market, get it on the market, get a sold subject to contract in place, then start viewing and offering on houses, in that order.

kingstreet

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856494#Comment_81856494

If you were my client and you approached me with your scenario, I'd explain you're unlikely to have an offer accepted until you're in a proceedable position. TBH all else isn't really relevant.

robatwork

Your story doesn't really make much sense, but having said that I'd say the same as Judge Judy says about teenagers. How do you know (EAs/teens) are lying? Their lips move.