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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

NIGHTMARE HOUSE SITUATION

163 replies

MummyToBeAgain1 · 04/02/2022 13:56

AIBU to be annoyed at estate agents!

I'm currently in the process of selling my current property - I recieved an offer at start of Jan and solicitors are doing they checks etc so hopefully it'll be sold within 10 weeks!

The issue is buying a property through an estate agent. My experience so far has showed that they want a cash buyer - no chain which leaves people in my situation at a loss.

A property was listed yesterday morning. We are interested and LOVE IT - literally the property that ticks all our boxes after over a year of looking.

I called the estate agents straight away to book a viewing. They noted my details and said that they are waiting for the vendor to confirm when people could view the property.

I called back after 2 hours and they had the same story, I called back at 4pm and the story was the same.

I called the estate agents again today at 9am - I was told the lady who was dealing with this house sale isn't in till 10am. I asked her what the reason was for the vendor to have listed the house but not sorted viewings. She said there are viewings and today is fully booked. I said I called yesterday and was told your trying to get in contact with the vendor. She then asked for my name and said your not on the list.

I said but that isn't fair because I called several times yesterday. I said during my second phone call I was told that you hadn't even recieved any other calls regarding this property yet. She muttered something.

She said well now you'll have to wait till next tuesday because they fully booked before then. I said but what if they accept an offer before then. She replied with 'Well, to be honest you don't even know if you're going to get it - because there's alot of interest for this property and cash buyers with no chain'.

She said the lady whose dealing with the sale of this property will call back at 10am.

At 9.40 I get a call which I missed. I called back and was cut of after 2 rings. I called again and it was the lady I spoke to earlier - she advised the lady who deals with the property has rang in sick and she'll book me in for next week.

I feel so deflated and already feel like there's no point viewing this house because I know the estate agents prioritise cash buyers.

Yeah, I get that it's a business and they want a good priced, quick sale. Obviously, with those of us who are in a chain - it takes time and there's that risk of the sale not going through or our mortgage not being accepted.

But what else are we meant to do? 😔 I genuinely feel like giving up today. By the way, this is one example from many. We initially put our property on market through estate agents from nov 2020 to aug 2021 - this was a nightmare situation and so much effort was wasted.
In december 2021 I put it up privately and managed to find a buyer with a good offer within 2 weeks.

I don't know how else to find a house. Or find one privately. I've checked facebook.

A colleague once said selling and buying a house is one of the most stressful situations people will experience in they lives. I honestly can not agree more! I've never been so stressed. I have young children and it will be difficult to drag them on rent till we buy a house and then drag them to the new house. It's unsettling and difficult.

Thanks for listening to my rant! AIBU to be annoyed that estate agents push those of us in a chain to the back of the queue.

OP posts:
MummyToBeAgain1 · 10/02/2022 08:58

This is what I suspect too!

It's an elderly lady living alone who isn't able to do viewings herself because of her health therefore I suspect she would struggle to manage the overall situation with selling a house.
The EAs are in full control and can manipulate the situation to how they want very easily!

You're right - I suspect this house will sell for lower than it should and to someone the EAs know!

OP posts:
MummyToBeAgain1 · 10/02/2022 09:00

@HaveringWavering I have viewed it.

OP posts:
MummyToBeAgain1 · 10/02/2022 09:02

@TheRealHousewife
This is what I'm afraid of - especially with 3 young children. I really want to make this as straight forward as I can.

I haven't recieved a reply yet to my offer so I've still got hope!

OP posts:
MummyToBeAgain1 · 10/02/2022 09:05

@irregularegular
This is useful! Thankyou.
So, if I was to push the completion to a later date - what if the buyer of my current property backs of as a worse scenario?
This is why I haven't considered this because I don't want to end up making things worse.

Please correct me if I haven't understood your post?

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 10/02/2022 09:05

@littledrummergirl

Personally I would knock on the vendors door, explain what's happened with the agent and ask them if they will let you have a viewing with them at a convenient time. The worst that can happen is they say no.
I agree,I'd put a note through the door though.
irregularegular · 10/02/2022 11:16

*So, if I was to push the completion to a later date - what if the buyer of my current property backs of as a worse scenario?
This is why I haven't considered this because I don't want to end up making things worse.

Please correct me if I haven't understood your post?*

You can always ask - no harm. Once you have exchanged and set a completion date obviously they can't pull out without large penalties.

To be honest, we just got lucky as the people buying our house didn't want to move in until the start of the academic year which was a way off (parents buying for students to share!).

Wannabegreenfingers · 10/02/2022 11:46

I feel your pain. The market is vile. I'm having to sell due to my divorce. I've lost out to cash buyers, investors and first time buyers each and every time. I'm sold SSTC to a first time buyer (everyone that viewed was a 1st time buyer) so minimal chain.

The last house I offered on, they accepted an offer 10% over asking to a cash buyer!! I despair..... Sad

NWE231 · 10/02/2022 12:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NWE231 · 10/02/2022 12:53

garage hides! no rides

NWE231 · 10/02/2022 12:54

with a little bit of work it would make a HUGE difference as it looks like a great house

NWE231 · 10/02/2022 12:55

oh and i hate the fact the floor plan has no measurements and it doesnt say how many sqft or sqm the house is

NWE231 · 10/02/2022 13:05

sorry reported wrong thread

MummyToBeAgain1 · 11/02/2022 08:52

@irregularregular

I'll definetely be asking. It'll benefit them to because they'll have mortgage/bills paid so they can save.

The last viewings for the house we want were yesterday so I'm hoping to get a response today.

I will then message the buyer of my house.

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