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AIBU?

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Original poster

Estate agent using bully boy tactics

46 replies

KarlaKK · 02/09/2023 18:42

I put in a full-price offer on a house a week ago saying I was only willing to pay full price on the condition the sellers broke the chain as I'm living in a hotel currently so want a quick transaction.

All this past week the sellers' estate agent has ignored the fact my offer was conditional on the sellers breaking the chain and helped them organise an onward purchase, which is dependent on my offer. I said to estate agent my offer was conditional on no onward chain for sellers, which there now is. I didn't want to get into a chain as another party in the process could delay things. I said I wouldn't have offered full asking price on this basis and might not have offered at all.

He keeps ignoring my emails on this and says there'll be 3 in the chain and no reason I can't be in end October. Making out it'll all be straightforward and quick when he can't guarantee that.

He is barely literate and often hard to comprehend in his emails saying things like the sellers can't afford to drop the price, had to borrow more yesterday, but then the next day put in an email to me I could drop the price before exchange if they don't complete by when I want. Just lots of bull shit and him trying to get the deal through, ignoring the condition I put on the price. I don't even know if the sellers are aware of the condition, what he's telling them about this and other things.

I've had enough of saying the same thing over and over again to him - i.e. offer conditional on sellers breaking the chain, so 2 parties in transaction not 3 as more risky in terms of delays etc. Said in 3 emails it isn't a good fit anymore, I'll carry on looking and can we draw a line under this please. Third email I said please no more emails on this we're going round in circles. I've been very measured and polite.

He keeps saying when do you need to be in by as if he can make that happen. He said I've said before to his colleague I want in by Christmas. I've never said this. That's still 4 months away and with 2 in chain a solicitor has said 8 to 10 weeks would be possible.

Anyway, he emailed again on it despite me saying don't. He said I still haven't told him when I want to be in by, that he's guessing I offered in haste and will I "honour" my offer.

AIBU to put in a complaint about him to someone higher up the company? He's like a dog with a bone when I don't think I've done anything wrong.

OP posts:
Thewizardbinbag · 02/09/2023 18:46

Just tell them when you want to be in by. He can discuss with the sellers.
If they can’t commit then move on.

PinkFootstool · 02/09/2023 18:48

You're asking for the pie in the sky and he's not giving it to you because he can't. He isn't in control of the vendors. You don't get to dictate terms - the vendor gets to choose whether to participate in your requests.

He can be crap, but you can also be unreasonable.

Mummyofthewildones · 02/09/2023 18:49

Have you instructed solicitors etc? If not and you don't want to mess about with them just walk away and ignore.
Definitely not unreasonable to share your reasons for abandoning the purchase with his superior. The bloke sounds like an arse.

primoseyellow · 02/09/2023 18:51

You sound completely reasonable and have clearly stated what you want. Estate agent is obviously desperate to get sale due to state of market, I would write one more email repeating what you have said in a brief summary and cc in his manager/area manager if you can.

Iwrotethelyricstoaxlf · 02/09/2023 18:52

Dear Agent FckWt

as per my our original conversation my full asking price offer was conditional on there being no chain.

you have advised that the vendors are making an onward purchase, creating a chain. Therefore this will not work for me.

Please let the vendors know that they should only have been accepted my offer if there was no chain. As there is a chain you have wasted both my and their time.

This will be my last communication on this matter.

Spookymormonhelldream · 02/09/2023 18:52

Is this your first time buying OP?

Grahambella · 02/09/2023 18:53

The upward may be ready just as quick as you are.

It may take you 4 weeks to find another house.

If you don’t want the house then email and state very clearly.

Dear estate agent, I withdraw my offer on 1 The Road due to the chain, and then ignore all future emails.

towriteyoumustlive · 02/09/2023 18:55

YABU.

If you're after a property with no chain and therefore vendor going into rented or dead then you are massively limiting your options.

They clearly are not in a position to be chain free and are buying another house so this property is not for you so withdraw your offer and look for something else.

Or... continue with the purchase, accept there will be a chain, and drop your offer. If you're going to do this, then do it now and officially in writing.

Dear EA,

My offer of £X was based on the seller being chain free. As the seller is now purchasing an onward property thus being part of a chain, I am now reducing my offer to £Y.

Regards, KarlaKK.

We did this with our sale - we had one price and we agreed to move out, and a lower price but they'd have to wait for us to find something else. They paid the higher price and we moved in with the in-laws. They would have been waiting 6 months!

RandomMess · 02/09/2023 18:55

I would put you writing in a letter & drop a copy to both the sellers and the estate agent.

Sahara123 · 02/09/2023 19:04

I don’t understand what you want your sellers to do , if they need to buy somewhere else then obviously there will be a chain , you can’t expect them to suddenly give up on looking for somewhere else to live just because you don’t want a chain ?

Aaron95 · 02/09/2023 19:07

The estate agent does not work for you. They work solely for the vendor.

You have put in your offer. It sounds like they are not taking it seriously because they are not prepared to do what you ask and I'll be honest in their position I wouldn't either. Walk away and find another house which has no chain.

Bookish88 · 02/09/2023 19:13

Sahara123 · 02/09/2023 19:04

I don’t understand what you want your sellers to do , if they need to buy somewhere else then obviously there will be a chain , you can’t expect them to suddenly give up on looking for somewhere else to live just because you don’t want a chain ?

Presumably the OP is expecting the vendor to go into a (short term) rental. Which she's perfectly within her rights to do, but if I was the vendor I'd be telling her where to go.

ActDottie · 02/09/2023 19:15

Tbh with just three in the chain I’d just give a hard deadline like end of October and just go for it. Buying takes time and is stressful and having a small chain of just three I’d be very relieved about.

BellaJuno · 02/09/2023 19:16

Have you had confirmation that the estate agent explained the condition of your offer to the vendors? It sounds like he hasn’t and is trying to force you into a conditional sale.

I’d withdraw from the sale and let both the vendors and branch manager know why.

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/09/2023 19:20

Just email quite clearly and finally that you've withdrawn your offer and ignore anything from them after that.

In future only offer on properties that are clearly advertised "no onward chain". Don't try and impose your own fairly niche requirements on properties that are not advertised as such.

Stratocumulus · 02/09/2023 19:24

I don’t think you understand the processes OP.
Your vendor has to have somewhere to move in to. That is the issue if you only want them & you in the chain? That’s pie in the sky unless they move into rented?

Estate Agents can only work as fast as the legal teams work. In my experience searches and other paper work have to be returned very quickly to parties’ legal teams to keep things moving. Have you even engaged a solicitor yet? If so and you proceed, allow 10 to 12 weeks for exchange and thence completion. Conveyancing solicitors are a law unto themselves but in turn are reliant on 3rd parties to supply information. Go easy because it’s a roller coaster. Good luck!

BellaJuno · 02/09/2023 19:27

Stratocumulus · 02/09/2023 19:24

I don’t think you understand the processes OP.
Your vendor has to have somewhere to move in to. That is the issue if you only want them & you in the chain? That’s pie in the sky unless they move into rented?

Estate Agents can only work as fast as the legal teams work. In my experience searches and other paper work have to be returned very quickly to parties’ legal teams to keep things moving. Have you even engaged a solicitor yet? If so and you proceed, allow 10 to 12 weeks for exchange and thence completion. Conveyancing solicitors are a law unto themselves but in turn are reliant on 3rd parties to supply information. Go easy because it’s a roller coaster. Good luck!

Are you sure YOU understand how the process works? The OP made a conditional offer which the estate agent was obliged to pass on to the vendors. If the vendors don’t want to agree to the condition, they’re entitled to reject the offer. What the estate agent shouldn’t do is tell the OP her conditional offer was accepted then ignore the fact there was a condition attached to agreeing to pay the asking price in the first place.

DappledThings · 02/09/2023 19:28

I don't understand what you want to do. Are you still expecting vendors to go I to rented themselves or are you wanting to pull out of the purchase as your terms haven't been honoured. It isn't clear to me if you are still trying to pursue this property or not so I'm not surprised the estate agent is also still trying to figure that out

Adelstrop · 02/09/2023 19:31

We went into rental properties for 3 months to facilitate the buyers of our property who wanted to be in by a certain date, whereas the owners of the property we were buying could not complete that quickly. This was financially advantageous to us, so worth the hassle. That’s what it comes down to really. If it isn’t in the interests of the vendors to move quickly, they won’t. You would be better looking for a property with vacant possession. As for the estate agent, all you have to put in writing is that you withdraw your offer, then ignore him.

Hibiscrubbed · 02/09/2023 19:34

Never met an estate agent I didn’t think was disingenuous or a moron, or both.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 02/09/2023 19:38

The estate agent works for the vendor not you. Also not sure how you can make a condition of no chain, there either is or there isn't 🤔

LindorDoubleChoc · 02/09/2023 19:42

DappledThings · 02/09/2023 19:28

I don't understand what you want to do. Are you still expecting vendors to go I to rented themselves or are you wanting to pull out of the purchase as your terms haven't been honoured. It isn't clear to me if you are still trying to pursue this property or not so I'm not surprised the estate agent is also still trying to figure that out

No she just wants the EA to stop emailing her. That is all. A mammoth fuss here over nothing really.

DomPom47 · 02/09/2023 19:43

Just ignore the emails. You have not agreed to anything formally, you have not signed anything etc.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/09/2023 19:44

Withdraw your offer and give a different estate agent the commission.

BellaJuno · 02/09/2023 19:44

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 02/09/2023 19:38

The estate agent works for the vendor not you. Also not sure how you can make a condition of no chain, there either is or there isn't 🤔

She can add any condition she wants, it’s up to the vendor to decide whether to accept or reject it. It’s not unheard of for vendors to agree to go into rented / stay with family to ensure the sale of their property goes ahead.