a good idea or a bit stalker-ish?

[Pennies]

I've had an "offer" on my house from someone that I don't think they made. i.e. I think the estate agent made it up, knowing I woldn't accept it, to stop me from dumping them and going to someone else. Have found the details of the person who "offered" on 192.com am and soooo tempted to ring him to ask if he did actually make an offer or if they are lying to me.

I totally appreciate that he might think it's a v. strange thing to do and may certainly not appreciate the intrusion but I just am itching to find out.

Have the estate agents sent you written confirmation of the offer ?

Can you do it in a completely 'innocent' way? "Hi, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I know you put an offer in on my house and I needed my Estate Agent to check [here you'll have to make your own thing up] but I can't get hold of him right now." Tbh, if I had put an offer in on a house and the vendor rang me at home I might be a bit pissed off - but only if the Agent had given them my number without permission. If it's in a directory it's public property I guess.

I was just looking at your original thread abour low offer / odd guy who didn't look upstairs for an update. Did odd guy turn out to be real? do I assume you now think v. low offer was a put up by agent?

I would just change agents, there are enough of them about but you don't need this nonsense on top of the usual stress of moving.

apronstrings - odd man has disaapeared - is not returning calls.

not had anything in writing. - do they have to do this for every offer, even if initailly rejected?

interesting. we recently had a ridiculously low offer, and we haven't had it confirmed in writing, despite these agents being utterly anal about confirming each bit of feedback in writing ("nice house, but just not for us" - wtf??).

I wouldn't phone the bloke if I were you - looks weird. Ask the agents to confirm it in writing and if they won't, you'll know it's suspicious.

there was a programme on tv about this, maybe they did make it up! i would call but im like that!!

We had all offers confirmed in writing, but generally such a long time after the offer had been made and rejected or renegotiated, that the letter was effectively meaningless. Personally I wouldn't follow this up with the 'buyer'. Whether or not it's stalkerish, if the offer is not genuine it will come to nothing, and even if it is then going with another agent would change little.

When you say 'dumping them and going to someone else' do you mean going for a new single-agency agreement, or going for a multi-agency agreement? If you go for a new single-agency, remember the notice period - if this offer is genuine then the agency will turn head over heels to get it confirmed within the notice period. Whether or not the offer is real, if you go for a new single-agency and sell to this same 'buyer' through a different agency you would have to pay your current agency commission as well as the new agency (if he offers again through them).

I'd call but I'm like that too, see my thread about house buying. I'm becoming obsessed & can't seem to help myself. I could do market research call for you along the lines of 'I'm calling from the Estate Agents Society. Have you recently thought about moving? Did you find estate agents helpful & have you made any offers?' {grin} in a slightly Jack Nicholson manner.

Nice suggestion Jbck but it seems that smeone else has saved the day! We have received what soundslike a bone fide offer for someone who wants to buy to let so we've accepted that and we're hoping it's all OK! I'll be asking for it in writing tho!

Sorry - we've JUST received this offer today if this new post didn't make much sense.

I'm really glad - hope this works out without a hitch

So Pennies-still up for joining us in sunny Herts then if all goes to plan?

Phew I was all out of obsessiveness for one day!

Looks like it WICGUW!! Can't wait!