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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or is this estate agent stonewalling us?

36 replies

Orangelemonlime · 15/09/2015 17:15

We have seen a house we love, and after viewing on a Friday we contacted the agent on Monday to say we would like to make an offer.

We need an offer on our house before we can move, but we've made arrangements for a bridging loan which we are willing to use if needed.

Estate agent is aware we will take out a bridging loan. The agent has not asked us what we are going to offer all week despite us saying we would like to make an offer on Monday ?!

The agent has asked us to speak to their broker/due diligence person 3 times now! We have gone through our scenario, the numbers stack up. The broker seems to be using the info we supply to obtain mortgage quotes (which we have not asked for), instead of using the information to strengthen our case with the agent/vendor.

We submitted our offer this morning and the agent has still not given it to the vendor. They say they will do so this evening ?!

In the meantime, there is another interested party and I have a feeling we're just being used for them to bid against, to bring their offer up higher.

It feels as though the agent is not taking us seriously for some reason. Cannot work out why because we have proved our income etc already.

Thoughts anyone as to what is going on here? I can't put my finger on why but I have a feeling something is not right.

OP posts:
BeeRayKay · 15/09/2015 17:22

Surely all the EA needs to know is you can afford it and your offer is sincere?

MsJamieFraser · 15/09/2015 17:23

well of course they are going to go for the highest bidder, once a bid has been accepted, then I think it is legally binding, but its only on acceptance that it is. Until then its the highest bidder wins.

That's my understanding of it anyway.

Mintyy · 15/09/2015 17:23

Perhaps they are waiting for details of the other offer - if one is going to come - so they only need to have one conversation with the vendor?

honeysucklejasmine · 15/09/2015 17:25

There is an agency my neck of the woods that got in trouble for not passing on offers or refusing offers, even over asking price, unless the client got their mortgage through them. Check whether this is the case here too, or drop a note through vendors door telling them your offer and that agents have not passed it on.

mileend2bermondsey · 15/09/2015 17:26

Probably what Mintyy said.

Mintyy · 15/09/2015 17:26

No, nothing is legally binding once an offer has been accepted.

And there is no "of course" about accepting the highest offer either. If there are two offers and one comes from a buyer in a long and precarious chain or reliant on a bridging loan, and one is a little lower but comes from a buyer with no chain and ready to move, then the vendor would be wise to accept the offer from the chain-free buyer! x 100.

Original poster
Orangelemonlime · 15/09/2015 17:26

The other interested party submitted an offer last week which was rejected, then they bid again. I'm not sure if their second offer was accepted/rejected.

But the agent doesn't seem to be interested in our offer particularly. We almost had to chase them to make an offer. I had to ask twice if we could put an offer in !

OP posts:
mileend2bermondsey · 15/09/2015 17:27

There is an agency my neck of the woods that got in trouble for not passing on offers or refusing offers, even over asking price
That sounds like bollocks. What agency is not putting acceptable offers through to the vendors? Surely they want to make money?

Original poster
Orangelemonlime · 15/09/2015 17:27

The property is vacant so we cannot contact the vendor ourselves. Not sure that we would anyway.

So we're just not considered a good option even with a bridging loan facility letter?

OP posts:
YellowDinosaur · 15/09/2015 17:29

I'd call them and ask them bluntly went they have not submitted your offer to the vendor. Or put a note through the vendors door giving them the offer directly with your circumstances.

YellowDinosaur · 15/09/2015 17:30

Cross posted. Call the estate agents on this unless they can confirm tomorrow am that they have passed your offer on

ncpg53 · 15/09/2015 17:31

Are the estate agents initials AH by any chance?

mileend2bermondsey · 15/09/2015 17:31

Try searching rightmove/zoopla to see if the property is on the market with another agency and go through them instead?

Fuckitfay · 15/09/2015 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mintyy · 15/09/2015 17:33

I don't think you have to ask if you can submit an offer, you just do.

You've seen Kirsty and Phil doing it? Make a phone call from the pub, tell them your offer and give them as much detail as you can about your current position. Job done. That is making an offer.

evrybuddy · 15/09/2015 17:37

Agents are paid by the vendor but operate in their own best interests.

The 'best' offer for the vendor will be based on price/speed of completion/cash/mortgage of buyer etc.

The 'best offer' for the agent may be the one from a client who is also buying/selling through them.

Or, from a developer who buys/sells through them a lot.

Or from a buyer taking a mortgage through their 'favoured' broker and eraning them a commission.

Perhaps the agent themselves or a contact is interested in the property and they are keeping you at bay.

Sure, the agent 'should' put all offers objectively to the vendor but will they?

Estate agency is still like the Wild West - lawless.

museumum · 15/09/2015 17:42

OP can't be in Scotland. We have to offer through solicitors. EAs are not involved. That's why it all gets more binding more quickly up here as solicitors are instructed before you can even offer.

Original poster
Orangelemonlime · 15/09/2015 17:45

We are in London.

OP posts:
WickedWax · 15/09/2015 17:47

Why are you pussy footing around asking the agent can you make an offer? Confused Just make the offer and tell them to call you as soon as they've spoken to the vendor.

CoraPirbright · 15/09/2015 17:51

mileend makes a very clever suggestion. It is entirely possible it is also being marketed elsewhere!

Does your estate agent have a boss/manager? I would go to the office in person and ask to speak to that person instead. They can't stone wall you quite a effectively if you are standing infront of them! Also, I am sure that someone will correct me if I am wrong but isn't it illegal to avoid submitting proper offers? Perhaps rattle your sabre at them!

Good luck!

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 15/09/2015 17:57

I know an estate agent who does this, DSis was bolder and went to the house and vendor confirmed it. Knock neighbours and find out who/where etc.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/09/2015 17:58

What agency is not putting acceptable offers through to the vendors?

One simple answer among many: an agent who has an interest in the property for themselves/someone they know

evrybuddy is correct about the numerous other reasons; several have already happened to me or to friends and I'm quite sure it goes on much more than we know. Sorry, but I've found that far too many in this sector are rotten to the core

mileend2bermondsey · 15/09/2015 18:02

Puzzled I was referring to the situation honeysucklejasmine posted. Not just EA's withholding offer in general.

araiba · 15/09/2015 18:14

you made the offer this morning and the EA are passing it to the vendor today... what exactly do you have a problem with?

They will talk to the vendor this evening- maybe the vendor works during the day and is not contactable or lives abroad and calling at 2am to tell them about an offer isn't appropriate.

Part of the EA's job is to ensure that anyone bidding for a house can afford it, so that is why you have to show proof that you can. yes they also use it as an opportunity for their mortgage adviser to try sell you a mortgage. just smile and and nod and say no..

Fuckitfay · 15/09/2015 18:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.