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Original poster

Estate agent lying to me?

28 replies

CorinnaSinner · 27/03/2020 15:13

I viewed a house on Monday, it was empty (no one lives there) and the estate agent did not come in with me.

He told me 3 offers had been made and what they were.

I’ve since put in a higher offer and been told there’s actually loads of offers and all significantly higher than mine. Except since that Monday no one else would have viewed due to the stricter lockdown.

OP posts:
KC225 · 27/03/2020 15:14

I would say he is trying it on

boredboredboredboredbored · 27/03/2020 15:22

Say that's fine but you're walking away...I'd hate to deal with an agent like that!

Original poster
CorinnaSinner · 27/03/2020 15:25

It’s just the fact that all of a sudden there’s significantly higher offers.

I offered £3K over asking so I’m not trying to be cheeky. I find it hard to believe that people are going to be offering £20K more given what’s happening in the world.

OP posts:
BuffaloCauliflower · 27/03/2020 15:26

Yeh he’s pulling a fast one

Original poster
CorinnaSinner · 27/03/2020 15:31

I love the house so I just don’t know what to do.

I’ve been trying to find a property for 4 months and has every single offer rejected. It’s so disheartening.

OP posts:
showmethegin · 27/03/2020 15:33

As a PP said I'd walk away. We are about to complete on a house but it was the 6th one we offered on so I understand your frustration!

milienhaus · 27/03/2020 15:35

I’m pretty sure they aren’t supposed to tell you the amount of any offers which have been made! I’d suggest he’s consistently lying. Make sure your offer gets put to the vendor.

whirlwinds · 27/03/2020 15:36

There will be other houses to love, just tell him this is your offer and leave it at that.

ChicCroissant · 27/03/2020 15:37

Could be people who have viewed it earlier making an offer though - it seems unlikely to me that you would be the only person the EA told about the other offers! It's possible that they may have contacted the other bidders and mentioned your viewing.

It doesn't mean you have to raise your offer though.

Shinesweetfreedom · 27/03/2020 15:37

You do know if an estate agents mouth is moving then he is lying don’t you.

Lifeisabeach09 · 27/03/2020 15:41

Standfast, OP. He's playing you to get you to up your offer.

Original poster
CorinnaSinner · 27/03/2020 15:46

Well he gave me the impression the vendor just wanted rid of it and when I chased up a response to my offer he then says she very slow at responding.

Surely if you want rid then you’d wouldn’t leave potential buyers hanging.

OP posts:
Lovesgood · 27/03/2020 15:46

Walk away, of course he is lying. He is an estate agent, its in the job description.

Popuppippa · 27/03/2020 15:47

Put your offer in writing. There is a good standard template on Property Tribes. The agent must pass all offers on to the vendor.

I'd say there is a very good chance he is trying to shill the price up.

BumbleBeee69 · 27/03/2020 15:53

Oh he forgets his own lies too... Yip he's at it OP... stay strong and stick to your Price Flowers

Singlebutmarried · 27/03/2020 15:56

Crikey.

Even if he gets a sale, valuations are on hold for the foreseeable anyway for purchases.

He’s pulling a fast one.

Can you send a letter to the property (type the envelope so it looks official). That should get forwarded to the owner and perhaps you could let them know what their agent is up to.

Newyorkhereicome · 27/03/2020 16:05

Wait until this Covid situation is over as it is unlikely to hold it price

Palavah · 27/03/2020 16:06

You could put your offer in writing and say it's valid for 24 hours, then it's off the table.

But it's hardly a seller's market and as PP have said you can't get a survey done until we're out of lockdown.

m00rfarm · 27/03/2020 16:21

He may not have known about the other offers if there is more than one agent in the company. There may have been other offers made subsequently from PREVIOUS visits. If the house is in such an amazing area, maybe some people have made offers without visiting. Right now, I promise you he wants to sell asap to get some money in. Business is not exactly booming so why would he want to lose the sale if you were the highest bidder?

m00rfarm · 27/03/2020 16:22

Sellers suddenly become slow when they have private deals on the table and excluding the agents.

MintyMabel · 27/03/2020 16:25

Can estate agents tell you what the other offers are? It’s not allowed in Scotland.

Parker231 · 27/03/2020 16:28

Email him your offer and ask that he forwards it to the seller and confirms to you when he has done that. You’ll then have a record of what happened and when.

lifeisgoodmostofthetime · 27/03/2020 16:29

A good estate agent wouldn't tell you the value of other offers. I would be put off by this alone. Is he going to lie to you going forward? Follow your instincts and sounds to me you're getting bad vibes

Khione · 27/03/2020 16:33

Be thankful, this is good for you (unless you are downsizing).

After all this is over prices will be down and many less people will be in a position to buy. It's shit for anyone downsizing but anyone else who can afford to move will be in a very strong position.

If you have a smaller/cheaper place to sell you will still win as (eg) 5% off yours is less than 5% off a more expensive property.

In your position I would inform them that, in light of the current situation, you have revised your offer and offer 10% less.

tara66 · 27/03/2020 16:43

Haven't the government cancelled all house sales transactions now?