Private sale - what to tell estate agents

[Ixos]

We have the opportunity to buy a neighbouring house through a private sale. We would be selling ours through an estate agent. What should we tell the estate agent about the private sale? I am worried that if we tell the agent that we are buying a house privately they might approach the people we are buying from and talk them into selling through them. Or am I being paranoid?! Also, we would want any buyers of ours to know that we are not moving far as we will be close neighbours going forward - Don't want to lean over the back fence after they moved in and go 'Ta dah! You bought the house from us!'. Also, it might keep things more civil during the selling process...! Do I just approach any buyers directly after they've put in an offer? Has anyone any advice?

[herethereandeverywhere]

You need to secure agreement from the sellers of the house that you are buying that this will remain a "private sale" as discussed and they will not involve agents at a later stage in the process (it's not really in their interests as the agent takes a cut of their profit). I'd just do it through the same channel of communication already open (so verbal if you've only discussed it face to face or email if that's what you've been doing). Whilst this won't be legally binding it's a bit like their offer and your acceptance of the sale of their house - usually left to trust/'gentleman's agreement' at this stage.

Once secured you tell your agents that you're buying through private sale. The details of the property you're moving to will be on the sale and purchase particulars is you won't usually be able to keep this information from the agent. Up to you how you go about telling the buyers - I'd let the agents know so they can let purchasers know early on "sellers are moving nearby as they like the area so much" sort of thing.

[TalkinPeace2]

we sold our old house private sale - EAs got told where to go in words of one syllable when they came sniffing.
It was NONE of their business.
Same as I did not tell other firms of solicitors that there was a conveyancing going on

[Ixos]

Ok,so the estate agents will know anyway, I suppose that simplifies things! Just remain slightly anxious about buyers turning into our next door neighbours.... Recipe for disaster? Should we warn them about big building work we will be doing next door? A minefield!

[aufaniae]

Have you considered using an online agent rather than a local agent?

We used House Network and it cost us £690 (incl. VAT) rather than 2% or whatever.

Less likely to be interested in the sale, perhaps?

I wouldn't tell them about your plans for work, you're not obliged to I don't think?

[aufaniae]

If you use an online agent you do your own viewings btw. They take all pics & do floor plan, and list on all the property websites. They don't value it (but you can always ask a local agent to value it. Cheeky but allowed!)

[Ixos]

Hmm, thanks aufaniae, food for thought!