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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Estate agent unreasonable?

91 replies

veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:00

Selling my house
First people to view bought it. They knew I hadn't found anywhere.
I had my offer accepted on a property within a week.
Estate agent has just told me he thinks it's a better idea if I sell my property without linking it up to my purchase.
WTF? WHY?
He said that Things move quicker in London, so my sale is likely to be ready before my purchase.
So they think it's reasonable to ask me to pack up a 4bed house without anywhere to move into.
I was quite reasonable on the phone with them but I'm furious now.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 31/01/2018 11:02

Just say no. You need to have somewhere to move into before you can move out - The Estate Agent told you what he thought thats all. It's not a command.

Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:12

But this must happen all the time.
You can't find a house til your house is sold.
I think it's the most bizarre suggestion.

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 31/01/2018 11:12

Hah!

They aren't the Kings of your house move.

'Sorry no, that won't be something I'd consider.'

:)

end of conversation.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 31/01/2018 11:13

Is this the first time you've sold a house OP?

The EA is asking you not to link your house sale to a house purchase so that the house sale goes through quicker and he gets paid quicker.

Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:14

No, I've sold many properties thank you smug. 2 recently.

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 31/01/2018 11:15

Well some people probably do, but only if there are solid reasons why they choose to. eg you have a difficult house to sell, you find the ideal people to buy it (eg granny flat or something) and fear that if you lose them you may not sell for ages. So you put stuff in storage and go into rented. Or maybe finances dictate that you HAVE to sell asap. Lots of reasons. But if they don't suit you then no, the chain includes you too and that's one of the things which has to happen - you finding a house. It's normal.

Estate agent wants their commission sharpish. Tell them they may well have to work for a weeee bit longer to get it.

marmitedoughnut · 31/01/2018 11:15

He's an estate agent - so don't expect anything suggested to be in your best interests - only his. He won't give a shit if it all goes tits up.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 31/01/2018 11:17

So presumably you sold the other 2 properties without entering a chain - which is what the EA is asking you to do in this case.

mumpoints · 31/01/2018 11:18

He's looking after himself, not you.

Ignore.

If the sale falls through, go with another agent. Obviously your asset is a winner.

Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:19

Well one was a rental, but was still in a chain, the other was to buy this one.

OP posts:
Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:23

He's just made it sound like not linking them together is usual. And me wanting to link them is me being difficult.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 31/01/2018 11:27

You're not being difficult. Just say no thanks thats not going to work for me.

lurkingnotlurking · 31/01/2018 11:29

Nope, chains are usual. Chain free is a huge bonus.

Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:30

We in the office thing it would be better if you didn't link them.

Well no, it might be better for you, but in no way shape or form is it better for me.
Fuck off

OP posts:
mumpoints · 31/01/2018 11:31

Hmmm... perhaps that line has worked on people less savvy than yourself. Sounds very unprofessional to me.

Your property sold quickly, unless that was dependent on a short time scale, ignore them all.

Don't be defensive, just say no. If he says sale might fall through, tell him if it does you'll go with another agent.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 31/01/2018 11:31

He's trying to break the chain so I wonder if there are problems somewhere along it that he hasn't told you about.

Go MN on him and say sorry that doesn't work for me.

sixteenapples · 31/01/2018 11:32

It is a good suggestion. I did it last move and it meant my sale went through without a hitch. I rented for 6 months, used the time to declutter and bought for cash, (and a discount) laotter.

Agent is suggesting something. Some people would jump at the idea - many would not. So not unreasonable but a sensible suggestion to be accepted by those whom it suits. It doesn't suit you so just say no

mickeysminnie · 31/01/2018 11:34

Why is bridging finance not used in the UK?

SleepFreeZone · 31/01/2018 11:34

Perhaps they assumed you are cash rich at the moment if you’ve recebtky sold two other properties.

Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:37

My buyers don't have anything to sell. So that's where the chain starts.
My worry is that they are pressuring him to make it move quickly. Or he's said it could move quickly. I had a very specific convo with the agent when they put their offer in, explaining that moving quickly could be an issue as I hadn't found anywhere.
It's only been a week ffs.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 31/01/2018 11:38

OP If you don't want to say no just PM me his details and I'll ring him and say no on your behalf.

stanner · 31/01/2018 11:39

No, I would hang tight. That seems very unreasonable.

Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:39

I would be cash rich, but that doesn't mean that I could put up with the inconvenience of what they are suggesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
veuveo · 31/01/2018 11:40

I've said no Smug, I'm just trying to vent here.

OP posts:
Lweji · 31/01/2018 11:41

He's trying to break the chain so I wonder if there are problems somewhere along it that he hasn't told you about.

My first thought too, but it depends on which estate agent. Do you only have one? Is it the one arranging your sale?
Maybe they don't trust the buyers and want to pressure them?

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