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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

On line estate agents don't send an agent - is it me?

92 replies

blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 22:52

I've been viewing properties at the moment because I'm moving house as part of a divorce. As such, I'm going to view them on my own or with my three-year-old.

I made an appointment for today through an online estate agent. Thought nothing more of it. When I got there it turns out they don't send an agent, they just expect you to go in and view the property with the owner.

Bloke on his own answers the door. He was really nice about it, but I explained I didn't feel safe going in in those circumstances.

Is it me?

I know they have their details registered with the estate agent etc., so I suppose they are totally traceable, but WIBU not to feel comfortable? Alarm bells were just going off I guess.

I"m prepared to be told I"m being silly if I am.

It might be because my job involves dealing with what happens "when things go wrong" that I was so fearful.

OP posts:
juls1888 · 18/03/2017 22:55

It is very rare where I am from to have the agent's conducting viewings, as they charge excessively for it. 9.5/10 it is the homeowners showing you round. I'm sorry but you'll struggle to find a property if you refuse to be shown round only by agents.
To be fair, most of the general public are more trustworthy than estate agents anyway!

IvyLeagueUnderTheSea · 18/03/2017 22:58

When I was looking for my current house most of the time it was the home owner doing the viewing.

Can you arrange for a friend to come with you in the future? I'll do it. I love a good nose around a house.

khajiit13 · 18/03/2017 22:59

Even with popular high street estate agents, they don't always send an agent. It costs time and money. It's not uncommon at all. Maybe take someone with you next time?

wooster16 · 18/03/2017 22:59

Yabu

IrregularCommentary · 18/03/2017 23:00

We've always been shown round by the owner unless the property was empty, in which case it was the agent.

icebearforpresident · 18/03/2017 23:00

I work in an estate agents (but im nice,honest!). We very rarely do viewings,of the 60-odd we have listed just now we are showing one.

Can a friend go with you to viewings? Will help you feel more comfortable and could be good to get a second opinion.

HeddaGarbled · 18/03/2017 23:00

When we moved 5 years ago, it was about half and half being shown around by agents or the owners. And that was through high street estate agents, not online. I think the agents do it when the owners are at work or otherwise unavailable but if the owners are at home, they do it.

If you feel unsafe, can you get a friend or relative to do viewings with you? Nice to get a second opinion anyway.

Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:00

Oh OK. Most of the ones round here seem to send agents- I've already looked at loads.

I'll get someone to come with me next time.

I know most people are going to be fine, but you just don't know who will be the one nutjob.

I think I probably spend too much time dealing with the "when things go wrong" scenario tbh

OP posts:
Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:02

icebear that's a good point anyway as I like a second opinion anyway.

OP posts:
Patriciathestripper1 · 18/03/2017 23:03

I think you are being a bit weird?
What do you think the home owner is going to do? Bareing in mind it's them that are letting strangers into their home?

ItsOooohSoQuiet · 18/03/2017 23:04

We've recently been viewing properties and the only time the Estate Agent is there is when the house is empty.

Goldfishjane · 18/03/2017 23:05

I didn't think online agents did anything but have the owner show you round.

Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:06

It seems they don't goldfish

OP posts:
KoolKoala07 · 18/03/2017 23:06

Same as soquiet. More often than not it's the owner doing viewings.

Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:07

Maybe I haven't noticed before because I was always with my ex.

OP posts:
Porpoiselife · 18/03/2017 23:08

YABU. What did you think he was going to do? He's trying to sell his house.

Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:08

I'm a capable sort of person generally (I think) and do most things for myself and by myself quite happily.

It was just the thought of going into some blokes house with no one else there that freaked me out.

OP posts:
Porpoiselife · 18/03/2017 23:10

When you arranged to view did you specify a woman agent? What's the difference between a male homeowner and a male agent showing you around?

JonesyAndTheSalad · 18/03/2017 23:12

You could do with someone with you anyway OP for a second opinion about the house. I don;t blame you for not going in!

I was at a viewing for a rental recently and here in OZ, they have group veiwings where all the interested tenants turn up at the same time.

The youg woman who was the agent looked nervous....there were, for some reason, a lot of men on their own....no idea why as it was a family home.

So DH and I hung about until we were the last people there. She said she felt nervous as one of the men at the viewing had sworn at her colleague at another viewing. I think it's wrong of threm to send a 20 year old woman out to these things on their own. They should go in pairs.

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 18/03/2017 23:12

I've probably viewed somewhere in the region of 50 houses in my time (maybe more). I think I've been shown around by an estate agent maybe three or four times, all of them empty properties. The rest were all owner-led. Every house I've sold I've shown all viewers around myself. I prefer it, as the owner is far better placed to answer questions about the property. I

have generally had someone with me when I view, but not always.

Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:16

But if it's the agent it's their job, and there's obvious recourse if something dodgy happens, porpoise.

OP posts:
DickToPhone · 18/03/2017 23:31

I've been asked to show people round a house before and I was the TENANT.

So YABU

user1489189598 · 18/03/2017 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Alpies · 18/03/2017 23:42

I've never heard of an estate agent not sending someone to do the viewing. I'm sure this happens though. Where r u based? That might explain it.

Also be mindful of buying through online estate agents as u don't get the one2one attention and progressing sales can take twice as long.

Original poster
blackteasplease · 18/03/2017 23:45

No user it's none of those things. Hmm

People don't get raped because they are gorgeous anyway. Stupid thing to say.

It wasn't one specific thing that might happen.Just that it's a very vulnerable position - going into a male stranger's house alone.

You wouldn't so it generally.

I don't have a life limiting attitude (see what I've said above). This is a very specific set of circumstances. I don't go into unknown people'are houses/cars etc day to day.

OP posts:
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