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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is the estate agent screwing my mother?

371 replies

dodgyestateagent · 12/04/2021 20:06

DM, who is elderly, has just had to put her family home up for sale, she is moving to assisted living. She is 78 and has lived in this house for over 50 years - my father's recent passing has meant she can no longer cope with the house by herself. She has no idea about market value, valuations, selling a house, so we have been dealing with the estate agent ourselves.

The house went up for sale on Friday, and we were told it was inundated with interest. So much so that the estate agent held an 'open viewing' for viewings on Saturday, for one hour. We were told that over 200 people had come to visit the house!

We've just been told the highest offer, and it's below what would be expected for the area (we are South East, detached, 3 bedroom, large south facing garden). Especially since he said they'd been inundated with viewings and interest. When we queried the estate agent on how he got the offers, he told us that due to having so much interest, he was doing an anonymous 'best and final offer'. The highest offer (and best position) we've been given is supposedly the highest of all of the 'best and final'... However, when we enquired whether or not he'd gone back to any of the other interested parties to see if they'd like to improve on it, he said he hadn't to ensure 'fairness for everyone involved.' It doesn't seem like he has tried to get the best price for my DM. Myself and DH have purchased a couple of properties, and each and every time we've been told about other 'higher offers' and been asked if we'd like to improve on our offer... It just seems a strange way of doing things and I am worried the estate agent has got some sort of back hander going on... AIBU?

OP posts:
Embroideredstars · 12/04/2021 22:50

Change agents, sounds like a bull shitter!

I bet he wants a bargain for himself or his mate especially as an elderly person is selling and the house may need work.

Inertia · 12/04/2021 22:51

The estate agent sounds dodgier than the Dodge brothers driving a Dodge car around Dodge City. Expect he has a mate lined up to buy the property as a development opportunity- there are plenty of nasty bastards out there who will happily screw over an elderly widow and her grieving family.

You need to insist in seeing full details, in writing, of all offers and buyers’ positions. That said, I can’t see how you could ever trust this chancer.

altlife · 12/04/2021 22:54

@CrumpetsForAll

Not helpful to you but I only clicked on to see if they were having an affair...

Omg same BlushGrin

Ilikegherkins · 12/04/2021 22:55

Do not trust him - definitely something dodgy going on x

Londonmummy66 · 12/04/2021 22:59

He owns the estate agents, so unfortunately there is no one higher to go to!

Trading standards?

WhatIfWhatIf · 12/04/2021 23:07

I'd definitely be changing agents. The 200 people in an hour thing is just a blatant lie.

NamechangeApril21 · 12/04/2021 23:07

@CrumpetsForAll

Not helpful to you but I only clicked on to see if they were having an affair...
Me too!
colette1970 · 12/04/2021 23:09

Change estate agents ASAP sounds like he is chancing it to get a very low price either for friends or himself.

elaboratethen · 12/04/2021 23:10

What I would do is get a friend to call estate agent and express an interest. Get the friend to offer a bit more than the "best and final offer" to date.

Then wait and see if the EA contacts you with this info.

If they don't get back to you, then it's likely some sort of dodgy business is going on, and I'd likely move to another company.

If they do let you know, please request all offers in writing, with a breakdown of each individual circumstances to back up the offers.

I'd also indicate to the EA what your minimum acceptable offer would be

Original poster
dodgyestateagent · 12/04/2021 23:32

It seems the general consensus is that he is being unscrupulous - which we suspected.

The house should easily get the asking price - if not over and above. I am going to ask to see all of the offers, in writing, as has been suggested. To be honest, I am not particularly happy with this 'best and final' offer system either. It doesn't seem to be in my mother's best interests at all. She clearly isn't going to get the best price possible if he's not going back to other interested parties and seeing if they want to up their offers. We suspected it was some sort of 'scam', with him having a friend / builder / relative involved. It's an absolute prime property to be renovated, extended, turned into flats... so I could easily see him accepting cash on the side from a developer to be the 'highest bidder'.

OP posts:
DiseasesOfTheSheep · 12/04/2021 23:39

I'm also here for an EA "screwing" the OP's mum - although not given the context of the OP!

This sounds very peculiar, and, tbh, my experience of EAs is that they'd mostly screw their own mothers for a quick buck, so it's hardly surprising. I'd change to another EA. The sooner we ditch the whole industry in favour of something with an ounce of morality, the better!

JaneExotic · 12/04/2021 23:40

I think someone above mentioned this, but could you check with the neighbours about the number of people viewing?

Devlesko · 12/04/2021 23:41

Sounds like an EA in our area, he gets them cheap for his mates.
However, unless the house is modern, up to date and perfectly maintained it will go for less than one that's immaculate, modern and ready to move straight into.
I wouldn't trust him though, change EA and if he objects due to a contract etc, tell him you'll report him for mal practice, not giving you the other offers.

firedog · 12/04/2021 23:42

He's defo taking the o

Pupster21 · 12/04/2021 23:44

Unfortunately estate agents do get their developer mates found first, we had one offer 30% less than what it sold for 2 weeks later. It was the EA’s husband!!!!

firedog · 12/04/2021 23:44

He's defo talking bull. Due to Covid there are very tight controls on viewing etc. There are specific guidelines. So if lying about that, then I'd assume lying about the rest

ceilingsand · 12/04/2021 23:51

@Runway

I only opened this as I thought you meant literally screwing her
Me too.
londonscalling · 13/04/2021 00:02

How many valuations did your mum get?

Nomorepies · 13/04/2021 00:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

mellicauli · 13/04/2021 00:15

Get someone you know to enquire about it..see if they what bullshit line they get fed. Round here people would be biting your hand off for that kind of property.

doublehalo · 13/04/2021 00:19

This is definitely completely dodgy.

Changing agent has it's own complications - you should look at the agent's contract. If you change agents and the new agent sells to someone who viewed with the previous agent you'll probably be paying two sets of fees. That might well be worth it under the circumstances.

It's a sellers market at the moment. There are very few properties coming on and houses in desirable areas are getting snapped up quickly.

Derbee · 13/04/2021 00:33

Give it to another agent and see what happens

Runkle · 13/04/2021 00:58

Why did you go with this agent?! Confused

MissKaren83 · 13/04/2021 01:08

This reply has been deleted

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