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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Neighbour selling with same agent

46 replies

MayorGoodwinn · 02/01/2021 19:29

Apologies I am using AIBU for traffic as this is a busy board.

Currently selling EA called this afternoon. To tell me my neighbours were selling, well which ones was my first question. Therein followed a conversation like pulling hens teeth whereby I ascertained it’s our neighbours in our semi and they’re going on with him. For considerably less.

Would this bother you? Agent was sheepish AF and it was clearly an awkward conversation so I’m guessing I should be....or not???

As a side question who goes on at the same time as their neighbour in same semi with the same agent?!? And no they don’t have to sell, couple in late 50’s was her parents, they’ve been in there 25 years. Apparently downsizing. We really need to move for work.

OP posts:

ramblingsonthego · 02/01/2021 20:00

When we were viewing 3 properties all next to each other in a terrace went on the market one after the other with the same agent. With 20k difference between them. We viewed all 3 as they came on. It did make you compare. We didn't offer on any.

Original poster

MayorGoodwinn · 02/01/2021 20:01

@BackforGood the difference will be more like 80k!

Which is probably right in real terms (altho I was sure they’d got a new bathroom). But it’s whether buyers see that or just see ours as been overpriced. I’d be happy knocking another 15k off.

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OrigamiOwl · 02/01/2021 20:50

You can't call dibs on an estate agent and your neighbour doesn't have to share their reasons for moving with you.
I'm in the process of moving. We didn't have a board outside so no one else on the street would know who we were selling with unless they saw it on Rightmove. It won't occur to me that I needed to tell any of my neighbours why I was moving.

MintyMabel · 02/01/2021 21:09

That they are using the same agent is irrelevant. You’d have the same problem if they were selling for less no matter who with.

I’d say your agent has more incentive to sell your first as I assume they are on a % commission.

When we sold out first house, another on the block was on the market at the same time. Our board went up first and the neighbour came round, irate, how dare we, he was selling his, we’d just have to wait. We simply shut the door in his face. Ours sold first, for more than his. I have no idea why people wanted ours rather than his. His garden was a complete shambles and ours was nice, maybe that was it.

MintyMabel · 02/01/2021 21:11

And no they don’t have to sell, couple in late 50’s was her parents, they’ve been in there 25 years. Apparently downsizing. We really need to move for work.

You have no idea of their circumstances. Maybe they need to downsize to pay the bills. My mum and dad need to downsize, their house is too much for them.

WhatTiggersDoBest · 02/01/2021 21:39

Twice now we've been the buyers of the first house for sale in this situation. The first time, we bought for £160,000 and the house next door went for £150,000. A bit annoying that theirs was cheaper? Maybe, but theirs was the first house on the road so they were right by the adjacent road which was a bit of a thoroughfare with the buses every twenty minutes and cars at all hours. Ours was shielded by theirs and had a longer back garden for our rabbit run, so I don't regret paying more.
This time, we bought for £25k less than the house next door is selling for. Theirs went on just as we were waiting for the sale to go through. I'm really glad we got this house. It's the one I fell in love with. Of course I looked at the pics of the house next door when I saw the for sale sign. The house next door has some nice features but I prefer ours.
So either way around, as the buyer, I don't think it would affect my decision, except to make me wonder what was wrong with the area for why both houses are selling at the same time. If I like a house, the area was decent, and the price seemed fine for what I was getting, I would have no issue buying it. House buying is so personal.

FlumpetCrumpet · 02/01/2021 21:39

We're in the process of moving and our flat is 1 of 5 flats in a converted Victorian house. At one point three of those flats were for sale all with the same agent at, 195, 225 and 279. The two higher priced ones have sold and the lowest price one is lingering on the market. It made no difference whatsoever because it was obvious to anyone viewing the various flats why the asking prices would be so varied despite them all being 2 bed flats in the same area.

We all went with agent who sells the most properties in our area, and I had no idea that our neighbours were planning on selling,or why they were. The only thing that strikes me as odd in your situation as that your agent is making a thing if it, I'm surprised they even told you other than by way of making small talk.

Original poster

MayorGoodwinn · 04/01/2021 14:42

Thanks to people who commented on this, I guess it's not an issue and agent was just being weird. I'll not give it much further thought.

Good point about picking up viewings - maybe that's why they've done it, as I still think its a bit odd, especially given the time of year. We're doing it because ideally we'd have moved by the time restrictions lift in the spring for DH's job but we know it's not a great time and would have most definitely waited if we didn't really need to.

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Hedgemoon · 04/01/2021 14:51

I'd suggest letting the agent know how much your extension etc cost. We've been looking recently and most agents suggested it cost £15k to renovate and property and around £30k to do extension AND a loft

dontdisturbmenow · 04/01/2021 14:56

He was asking wierd because you were pushing for i formation he wasn't happy to discuss. Didn't want to tell you so but at the sane time felt he should need to tell you their reasons for moving and indeed, why did you ask?

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2021 14:58

You can’t dictate when the neighbours sell, how much for or who with. Nor can you expect the agent to decline their business.

But I agree, I don’t think it’s ideal for you, particularly due to the price differential.

Original poster

MayorGoodwinn · 04/01/2021 15:17

Eh @dontdisturbmenow he rang me to tell me specifically, that was the reason for his call! He said he didn't want me to find out by just seeing the board go up apparently, which it hasn't yet?!? Of course I asked which one, we've got people to either side front and back. What would you have done said 'ok' and put the phone down, lol! I didn't ask why they were selling he told me this - it was then the penny dropped that he would only know this if they were selling with him, and of course then I asked and of course then I asked how much they were going on for - I'd be mad not to be interested in the latter!

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Original poster

MayorGoodwinn · 04/01/2021 15:22

@Hedgemoon they're about right on a 2 story extension or kitchen plus loft, 30K mark is pretty standard with a decentish kitchen. This is our second reno.

Think they've plucked the 15k from thin air though! Totally depends on what needs doing... a bathroom can be at least 5k. Garden landscaping can be as much as 7/8K. Then a room can be a few hundred quid if it's just painting to a few thousand if it needs walls and ceilings taking back to brick and re-boarding and plastering before you can even think about decorating...then there's whether it needs new windows.

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Whammyyammy · 04/01/2021 15:29

Don't get the issue them selling at same time.
And as for same agent, that's irrelevant as most people view houses on rightmove etc, so will come up in a search regards of which agent.

ArnoldBee · 04/01/2021 15:46

I dont get this at all. Your EA has given you a courtesy call as his client. Its actually none of your business why they want to sell - sometimes people just want to or it could be the crack den next door to them that they don't want to advertise. You're over analysing this as you are desperate to move and you really want this sale.
For our last sale my mum really wanted to know where the buyer was getting their deposit from- as I said to her at the time i don't care as long as they've got the money!

caringcarer · 04/01/2021 15:51

If both houses were valued there should be no problem. You can't expect your neighbours to wait for you to move first. To hey will probably both sell unless you are over pricing.

Hedgemoon · 04/01/2021 16:24

@MayorGoodwinn wow! I honestly thought they were massively underestimating the costs. I'll get builders around today

Have had two friends have projects which went hugely over budget so assumed their costs were 'normal'.

We have been looking recently - everyone is different but we definitely wanted somewhere finished. Down our street 'done' places have always sold far quicker and same down the street where we have bought. It's annoying for you, and to be honest a bit weird of the neighbours but try not to worry about it.

Horehound · 04/01/2021 16:26

I don't think you need to be bothered

BashfulClam · 04/01/2021 17:01

Happened with us in our fiat. Agent liked it as they could show both properties at the same time. They sold first acas were 4th floor with no
Lift which put loads of folk off!

ruabon12 · 04/01/2021 17:11

Yes I would be bothered, but there is nothing that can be done about it.

crimsonlake · 04/01/2021 17:17

This is a non issue and your neightbours certainly did not need to fore worn you or give their reasons.
Just crack on with your own sale, people who view can make their own minds up depending upon if they want somewhere that needs modernising or a house that is already done.

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