Strong dislike of estate agents

[Tulips78]

First time buyer. Disliking almost every interaction I've had with an estate agent so far. Find them slimy, pushy, hate the way they pretend to be your mate and want the best for you when all they want is their commission/your money. Sick of them trying to get me to see their mortgage advisors when I already have one and already have a mortgage agreed!

When I bought my place I was a real cash buyer - i.e had the cash sitting in the bank ready to go. Gives you quite a bit of leverage

True - it's a great position to be in. It's just ruined by the 95% of people who lie!

The usual lie is for an estate agent to describe someone who isn't in a chain as a "cash Buyer" when they still need to secure the financing

There are some very sweeping generalisations on here. Every industry has its fair share of dickheads and slime balls.

Tis true - as you get further up the price scale the quality is better. At the bottom end it is quite dreadful

Actually it isn't! The mortgage process and the fees paid early doors are an indication of commitment. There's none of this needed with a cash buyer so often not as highly thought of as the cash buyer may like to think.

As a non-polyester wearing, honest and transparent EA I think some of these posts are a little unfair. True there are a great many bell-ends in EA, I've met a lot, most of them are men. But you get that in any industry and sales is rife as a whole.

Actually it isn't! The mortgage process and the fees paid early doors are an indication of commitment. There's none of this needed with a cash buyer so often not as highly thought of as the cash buyer may like to think.

Ah, I'd never thought of that! I suppose you could offer to show them your bank statement by way of proof.

That said, some EAs are probably torn between wanting an actual cash buyer so that the sale has more chance of going through, but also wanting a kick-back from their in-house/recommended mortgage advisors if they can send custom their way.

@FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper
bank statements are standard practice for good EA's who would need some form of proof of the cash, but not an indication of commitment.

On mortgage referrals usually the commission paid to an EA is not worth the bother, unless you get loads of them. £20 a pop at my last job. The commission is paid to the mortgage advisor, unless of course its a corporate agency where they are all under the same ownership, like Connells, etc.