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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To give honest feedback to estate agent?

101 replies

Apricotily · 17/08/2025 14:25

Do you give truthful negative feedback when viewing a house with an estate agent? I'm autistic but can mask what I feel and say, when I know that saying the truth might offend someone. To me, looking at a house with an estate agent isn't this sort of situation. Hope that makes sense.

We've viewed a few houses this week with estate agents. One seemed incredibly offended when I share my thoughts, e.g. she was saying how wonderful the kitchen was, I said that it was clearly 20 years old and even then wasn't a great kitchen. She asked what I meant, so I explained that it was a cheap, plastic kitchen, which it was! It was wood effect laminate and blue plastic worktop. She made me repeat what I had said, presumably to embarass me. What's the point of this?

There were other features that I liked and said so, e.g. the garden was small and mostly pebbles, I said how nice it looked and that we wanted a low maintenance garden. Other people might well have been put off and said they would prefer a larger garden, or a lawn. Surely they need to give genuine feedback to their clients? I've had other estate agents say that it is "refreshing" to hear genuine feedback, which I think is probably indicative that they aren't used to it.

When we sold our house, any feedback was useful. Some of it we could do something about, some not, e.g. people who thought our garden was too small, it's a fair point but nothing we could do. People who thought the kitchen was dated, we could do something about, e.g. new cupboard doors in a more fashionable colour.

OP posts:
Apricotily · 17/08/2025 15:27

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 15:20

Op I think you have simply misread the situation

the EA didn’t “make you repeat” yourself in order to “embarrass” you.

I asked DH afterwards if that was his interpretation and he thought the same as me. She even did a little tinkly laugh, as some Mumsnetters advocate for situations when they think people are being rude. Not sure how else you can interpret being asked "What did you say?" then a shocked face when I clearly repeated it.

Think this agency can only sell to people who fit their own stereotypes, e.g. 2nd home buyers with money to burn, and are struggling in the current falling market for this type of house. I think her disappointment at not being able to get us to put in an offer fuelled her own rudeness. She'd clearly decided that we had wasted her time, despite the fact that we happily changed the appointment time at the last minute to fit in with her own schedule, and were genuinely considering the house.

OP posts:
HettyCletter · 17/08/2025 15:32

As someone who is currently trying to sell
their house, please continue to be honest!

It drives me mad when the feedback we get is really vague (or worse, non-existent) - I want to know why people aren’t offering on our house, especially if it’s something we could change/do something about!

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 15:34

Apricotily · 17/08/2025 15:27

I asked DH afterwards if that was his interpretation and he thought the same as me. She even did a little tinkly laugh, as some Mumsnetters advocate for situations when they think people are being rude. Not sure how else you can interpret being asked "What did you say?" then a shocked face when I clearly repeated it.

Think this agency can only sell to people who fit their own stereotypes, e.g. 2nd home buyers with money to burn, and are struggling in the current falling market for this type of house. I think her disappointment at not being able to get us to put in an offer fuelled her own rudeness. She'd clearly decided that we had wasted her time, despite the fact that we happily changed the appointment time at the last minute to fit in with her own schedule, and were genuinely considering the house.

This is all totally bizarre op

your rather drama fuelled intent-laden interpretation

RosesAndHellebores · 17/08/2025 15:40

I usually just say something like the price is pitched to the top of the market and it would cost me £50k to alter to my taste. Happy to make an offer £50k under of you think it's worth it. And that's if it ticks the major boxes: school catchment, osp, good layout, etc.

WonderingWanda · 17/08/2025 15:47

Most decent estate agents are happy to hear feedback and will tactfully feed that back to the vendors. In fact, decent estate agents will be well aware of most issues already. However, there are plenty who are useless. I once viewed a house where the owner ( and elderly lady was away). The estate agent hasn't bothered to arrive before us and even go in and open curtains or air the house a bit. As a result it stank and was all dark and dingy. The estate agent took us straight to the back garden which was small, covered un gravel and had a very noisy view of a dual carriageway. When I said I wasn't interested he was most upset because I hadn't seen upstairs yet....so we dutifully trudged upstairs where it got even worse. The alleged 3rd bedroom was too small even a single bed. He seemed oblivious to the flaws of the house. I've been with other estate agents who have been very open about the issues but very positive in upselling the potential of a property e.g the neighbours have extended over the garage.

AnotherDayAnotherDog · 17/08/2025 15:49

I think your comments were fair unless you made them in a disparaging tone of voice?
I always give honest feedback with plenty of details but I start with enough of positives to match the negatives. Eg, the size is right for us, the location is green and peaceful, it’s handy for Asda - there’s always something good about a house.

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 15:55

I’m going to be controversial and await the pile-on….

Estate Agents are NOT professionals. They pretend to be to justify their fees.
They are actually Del Boys in disguise - just after the sale/commission.
They don’t care what anyone wants or anyone feels. They are not looking to build a professional relationship. They just want their money.

Giving feedback is inconvenient. It doesn’t help their sale and potentially undermines what they’ve been telling their ‘client’ (latest victim)

There. I’ve said it.

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 15:57

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 15:55

I’m going to be controversial and await the pile-on….

Estate Agents are NOT professionals. They pretend to be to justify their fees.
They are actually Del Boys in disguise - just after the sale/commission.
They don’t care what anyone wants or anyone feels. They are not looking to build a professional relationship. They just want their money.

Giving feedback is inconvenient. It doesn’t help their sale and potentially undermines what they’ve been telling their ‘client’ (latest victim)

There. I’ve said it.

Bit sore over a recent house purchase / sell @Swiftie1878 ?!

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 15:59

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 15:57

Bit sore over a recent house purchase / sell @Swiftie1878 ?!

Not at all! Been living in my home for 23 years!
Have a family member who’s an EA though - an ‘exclusive’, super-expensive one. It’s a sham. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 16:02

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 15:59

Not at all! Been living in my home for 23 years!
Have a family member who’s an EA though - an ‘exclusive’, super-expensive one. It’s a sham. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Ok

So… this relative, let me guess… you’re not close?! 😆

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 16:03

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 16:02

Ok

So… this relative, let me guess… you’re not close?! 😆

😂😂😂 love them to bits, actually.
Just don’t respect their ‘profession’ ( they don’t know this).

Philandbill · 17/08/2025 16:04

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 15:55

I’m going to be controversial and await the pile-on….

Estate Agents are NOT professionals. They pretend to be to justify their fees.
They are actually Del Boys in disguise - just after the sale/commission.
They don’t care what anyone wants or anyone feels. They are not looking to build a professional relationship. They just want their money.

Giving feedback is inconvenient. It doesn’t help their sale and potentially undermines what they’ve been telling their ‘client’ (latest victim)

There. I’ve said it.

Absolutely agree with you @Swiftie1878

Sunshinehere · 17/08/2025 16:05

I’d be honest to estate agent, but sugar coat/ omit some stuff if vendor was there

TonTonMacoute · 17/08/2025 16:06

As someone who has a house we have been trying to sell a house for a year, truthful feedback is exactly what we want! Your EA is being ridiculous. What's it to them? Why should they be offended?

If potential buyers were telling our EA things that they didn't like, or were wrong, I would be very annoyed if they didn't pass those comments on to us. If possible we could change things, to improve our chances of a sale.

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 16:06

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 16:03

😂😂😂 love them to bits, actually.
Just don’t respect their ‘profession’ ( they don’t know this).

They won’t care
and nor would I in their shoes

They are in sales. 🤷‍♀️. They’re doing their job to sell a house which benefits the seller, buyer and…. Most importantly and rightfully so to them, the EA.

Its is just business

C152 · 17/08/2025 16:07

I think you should give honest feedback if asked. If I were selling, I would want to know if there's a particular thing that more than one viewer has commented on, so I could consider either a price reduction to reflect whatever the problem was, or resolving the issue (like replacing cracked tiles etc). It's unhepful to both buyers and sellers when estate agents aren't honest.

I think the agent you spoke to was rude and it does sound like she was trying to embarrass you or put you in your place. It sounds like she hasn't received enough (or any) training on how to manage feedback.

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 16:09

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 16:06

They won’t care
and nor would I in their shoes

They are in sales. 🤷‍♀️. They’re doing their job to sell a house which benefits the seller, buyer and…. Most importantly and rightfully so to them, the EA.

Its is just business

QED.

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 16:10

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 16:09

QED.

No idea what that means! 🤭

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 16:11

Oh I see. You are “proven right”

ok then, sure if that’s important to you. You are “right”

Cherrysoup · 17/08/2025 16:16

Swiftie1878 · 17/08/2025 15:55

I’m going to be controversial and await the pile-on….

Estate Agents are NOT professionals. They pretend to be to justify their fees.
They are actually Del Boys in disguise - just after the sale/commission.
They don’t care what anyone wants or anyone feels. They are not looking to build a professional relationship. They just want their money.

Giving feedback is inconvenient. It doesn’t help their sale and potentially undermines what they’ve been telling their ‘client’ (latest victim)

There. I’ve said it.

Biggest wide boys I’ve ever met outside of the local market! We dealt with one who must have literally poured aftershave into his palms right before meeting us at the house. I stank for ages after shaking his hand.

Please carry on with the honest feedback. We’re selling next year and I want to be able to improve our chances of selling by any means possible. As long as you’re not giving ridiculous feedback eg ‘There’s no garage’ like last time we were selling. The house rather obviously didn’t have a garage, why bother coming to view if that’s a deal breaker?!

Whilst I obviously think my house is fab, I’d prefer people to be honest so I can help improve my chances of selling (and for the best price!)

Might start a thread re what convinces people to buy bar catchment area/neutral decor.

Bluevelvetsofa · 17/08/2025 16:18

Feedback is important if it leads to measures that the vendor can take to make the house more sellable. A cluttered house, a messy house, a house full of rococo style stuff, mirrored furniture, swags and swirls and clashing colours would put me off, but they would be fixable without too much trouble.

It’s the things that can’t be changed and are apparent from the floor plan that are annoying feedback. I think few people would put in a new kitchen or bathroom to sell a house, unless they were flipping, especially as it probably wouldn’t be to the prospective purchaser’s taste, but I would factor in the cost of replacement and tailor the offer accordingly, if the house and location ticked other boxes.

When we sold our house last year, we had one viewer who changed her mind about moving, but everyone else was positive about the size, style, garden etc.

BettysRoasties · 17/08/2025 16:30

Bluevelvetsofa · 17/08/2025 16:18

Feedback is important if it leads to measures that the vendor can take to make the house more sellable. A cluttered house, a messy house, a house full of rococo style stuff, mirrored furniture, swags and swirls and clashing colours would put me off, but they would be fixable without too much trouble.

It’s the things that can’t be changed and are apparent from the floor plan that are annoying feedback. I think few people would put in a new kitchen or bathroom to sell a house, unless they were flipping, especially as it probably wouldn’t be to the prospective purchaser’s taste, but I would factor in the cost of replacement and tailor the offer accordingly, if the house and location ticked other boxes.

When we sold our house last year, we had one viewer who changed her mind about moving, but everyone else was positive about the size, style, garden etc.

Sometimes that’s the agent again.

We were told there was a must see house 3 bed repo. Got there wouldn’t even fit a cot in the 3rd bedroom so small it had a folding door. Rest of the house lovely but feedback was. Too small 3rd room. We hadn’t asked to view rather forced.

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 18:02

BettysRoasties · 17/08/2025 16:30

Sometimes that’s the agent again.

We were told there was a must see house 3 bed repo. Got there wouldn’t even fit a cot in the 3rd bedroom so small it had a folding door. Rest of the house lovely but feedback was. Too small 3rd room. We hadn’t asked to view rather forced.

Did you not have the particulars to see the floor plan?

and I am genuinely curious whether shower over bath would rule out an otherwise perfect property rather than… you replacing the bath?

BettysRoasties · 17/08/2025 18:05

Laxoverhols · 17/08/2025 18:02

Did you not have the particulars to see the floor plan?

and I am genuinely curious whether shower over bath would rule out an otherwise perfect property rather than… you replacing the bath?

No floor plan. Just a phone call that they had a house that was too good to miss, an email of the front of the house and general gibberish.

I said a proper over bath shower wouldn’t rule out a house. But zero shower would. I want a shower the day I move in to be nice and clean after moving.

applegingermint · 17/08/2025 18:06

Estate agents are bizarre. We had one proclaiming over and over like a broken record how great the natural light was in one of the darkest houses we’d viewed. We were wondering what drugs she’d taken that morning.

We did feed back to one estate agent that we weren’t willing to consider a house as it was so dirty and likely to be poorly maintained. The owners were clearly otherwise well-off (photos on the walls of multiple kids at Harrow School) but had left the house in an appalling state stinking of dog and teenager. We actually recoiled at the carpet as we climbed the stairs. She admitted she was very embarrassed to be showing people around and I wondered how she’d deliver that feedback to the owners!

It’s better to give honest feedback. We were given some about our flat, some fixable some not. We acted on the fixable advice and that helped the eventual sale.