Estate agents - have you had any weird sayings/comments?

LemonSqueezy0 · 2025-08-05T17:24:02+00:00

We viewed a property that ticked all of our boxes and in the middle of it, they asked us to leave as someone else was waiting.. We'd been in there approximately 6 minutes! Big house, extension, garden so not like it was a shoebox... We called the office to book another viewing and said would it be possible for it to be a 'full viewing' this time, and you'd think I'd said can we move in for a year for free, to see how we like it... At the start of this viewing the estate agent opened the door, face like thunder, turned to us and said they wouldn't let us keep booking viewings, as it gives the wrong impression to the vendor and sends the wrong message... The house is empty, so it's not an inconvenience to a tenant or home owner, but we only asked to come back because of their rudeness the first time! I can't understand how wanting to view a house that is for sale is giving the wrong impression...

rubyslippers · 05/08/2025 18:25

They were rude in the first place to ask you to leave the first viewing
they sound super unprofessional to be honest

Roaminginthegloaming · 05/08/2025 18:46

@LemonSqueezy0

That’s shocking behaviour by the estate agent! I wonder if the agent has a friend or relative whom is also interested in the property? This is quite surprising as the market is quite slow in most areas right now, especially for larger properties.

I would be very tempted to drop a note in to the vendor’s house if it’s clear they’re still resident there, explaining what’s happened and how dismayed you are with their agent. I would leave my contact details and I’m sure they would happily arrange a suitable viewing time with you directly. If you decide to go ahead with purchasing the property the agent would have to be paid anyway.

(I know I would want to know if I was the vendor and the agent was rubbish).

PS. How proceedable are you? Perhaps the other viewer has already sold/cash buyer/arranging their next mortgage through the estate agent?

MatildaTheCat · 05/08/2025 18:49

I would agree that for some reason the EA is trying to put you off or isn’t interested in making a sale. Has the house been on the market long or previously within the last few years?

MidnightPatrol · 05/08/2025 18:51

It’s amazing isn’t it - the most money you will ever spend on anything and it’s a huge imposition to view it for more than five minutes.

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 05/08/2025 18:51

I think estate agent behaviour is just insane lately, way beyond any stereotyped arseiness. I can't fathom it. They are so rude - only thing I can think is that they firmly believe that there are a great many buyers who will pop along shortly to buy something, even if you don't. Or they seem to prioritise high value properties and only be polite or accommodating if you're spending over £500k! (area dependent insert £1million as required).

I find they don't like you asking any questions, give one word answers. If you offer and someone makes a higher offer they don't even ring back and so on. I've been having to book weekend viewings 2 weeks in advance, and then if you ring back they say oh no all slots went last week why didn't you ring then ...

There's definitely something going on, just not sure what or if its widespread, or just certain areas.

KatiMaus · 05/08/2025 18:57

I had a cheeky bastard of an estate agent tell me that my house was so wildly overpriced that if I was relying on the sale to purchase the home I was viewing with him, I'd "most certainly overestimated my budget and probably need to rethink my expectations."

He then proceeded to extol the virtues of the firm he worked for and tried to get me to switch agents to them. No chance mate - you've just made wild assertions about my financial position and insulted me.

I accepted an asking price offer for my property about a fortnight after this exchange.

Original poster

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/08/2025 19:24

Roaminginthegloaming · 05/08/2025 18:46

@LemonSqueezy0

That’s shocking behaviour by the estate agent! I wonder if the agent has a friend or relative whom is also interested in the property? This is quite surprising as the market is quite slow in most areas right now, especially for larger properties.

I would be very tempted to drop a note in to the vendor’s house if it’s clear they’re still resident there, explaining what’s happened and how dismayed you are with their agent. I would leave my contact details and I’m sure they would happily arrange a suitable viewing time with you directly. If you decide to go ahead with purchasing the property the agent would have to be paid anyway.

(I know I would want to know if I was the vendor and the agent was rubbish).

PS. How proceedable are you? Perhaps the other viewer has already sold/cash buyer/arranging their next mortgage through the estate agent?

Edited

It's empty, otherwise I would have done this. It needs a good amount of work, but It's new to market so maybe they do have a preferred buyer.
We are extremely proceedable, not waiting on a house sale, ready to go cash buyers.. We'd be wonderful buyers in that sense, unless they know someone else, as you say, and it's a personal benefit eg extra commission to them...

OP posts:

Original poster

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/08/2025 19:25

MatildaTheCat · 05/08/2025 18:49

I would agree that for some reason the EA is trying to put you off or isn’t interested in making a sale. Has the house been on the market long or previously within the last few years?

I think you're right. The house is new to market, for the first time in 30+years, but needs a fair amount of work. Will keep an eye, see if it's been snapped up.. We aren't going through the EA for a mortgage etc so maybe they are keen to maximise their own profits

OP posts:

Original poster

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/08/2025 19:26

KatiMaus · 05/08/2025 18:57

I had a cheeky bastard of an estate agent tell me that my house was so wildly overpriced that if I was relying on the sale to purchase the home I was viewing with him, I'd "most certainly overestimated my budget and probably need to rethink my expectations."

He then proceeded to extol the virtues of the firm he worked for and tried to get me to switch agents to them. No chance mate - you've just made wild assertions about my financial position and insulted me.

I accepted an asking price offer for my property about a fortnight after this exchange.

Love this! They come across so badly it's nice to have your own position justified. So pleased you got a great outcome

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Original poster

LemonSqueezy0 · 05/08/2025 19:29

HangerLaneGyratorySystem · 05/08/2025 18:51

I think estate agent behaviour is just insane lately, way beyond any stereotyped arseiness. I can't fathom it. They are so rude - only thing I can think is that they firmly believe that there are a great many buyers who will pop along shortly to buy something, even if you don't. Or they seem to prioritise high value properties and only be polite or accommodating if you're spending over £500k! (area dependent insert £1million as required).

I find they don't like you asking any questions, give one word answers. If you offer and someone makes a higher offer they don't even ring back and so on. I've been having to book weekend viewings 2 weeks in advance, and then if you ring back they say oh no all slots went last week why didn't you ring then ...

There's definitely something going on, just not sure what or if its widespread, or just certain areas.

They definitely don't have a good reputation do they, I agree. I think it's always been like that though, horrible to think it's actually worsened over the years... And definitely feel like they treat you like crap in the expectation of someone else that's deemed 'better' coming along. You can't trust them at all...

OP posts: