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Original poster

Why? Buying property?

17 replies

youknowmeasharimo · 21/09/2010 21:34

Why is it that I look on Rightmove and NOT A SINGLE HOUSE IS SELLING but whenever I phone an agent about a house, I get a load of BULL about how the house is 'just about to go under offer' (usually for more than the asking price) and I should really get in there super quick or I will miss out...

... Only to see it weeks (if not months) later still on Rightmove

Just happened again to me today and I'm so fed up with estate agents trying to big the market up.

I just said 'OK, call me if it's on the market in a fortnight'.. which it will be.

OP posts:

artyjools · 21/09/2010 21:41

I'm a bit baffled by your post. Where abouts are you and do you want to view the houses you are ringing the estate agents about? I am trying to sell and to buy and I have found that agents are pretty much resigned to the fact that houses are not going to sell for what they are advertised for. Its pretty dire out there.

Original poster

youknowmeasharimo · 21/09/2010 21:52

Yes.. I'm just outside London and am looking to buy.

I have been looking at Rightmove for AGES (so know how long some of the houses I've asked about have been for sale) but it seems whatever house I ask for is 'JUST' about to be snapped up.

It is dire out there, which is why I'm wondering why I'm struggling!!

OP posts:

Jelllie · 22/09/2010 00:42

Probably buyers being choosy, and in some case putting in offers and it doesn't go through as planned.
I wouldn't rely on right move all of the time, being registered with agents and calling them every other day is better.

Appletrees · 22/09/2010 00:56

Maybe because the best houses do go quickly, however chronic the market?

Chances are if you like it, others do too..

I don't know. Good luck. Must be ghastly.

MisterW · 22/09/2010 08:42

Estate agents will lie and bullsh*t to get a sale so tell them to stop being so stupid and book you in for a viewing.

vesela · 22/09/2010 09:41

Telling you it's "just about to go under offer" probably comes with the territory, but telling you it's for more than the asking price is taking the piss!

Original poster

youknowmeasharimo · 22/09/2010 09:55

Seriously... 3 of the houses I've looked into were 'going to sealed bid'

Of those, one was withdrawn from the market (AKA no sale) and one other is still on the market.

I know that part of the problem is with me, because I simply refuse to get drawn into the politics, so I just say 'OK... call me when you want to talk sensibly' (which of course, they never do)

OP posts:

MisterW · 22/09/2010 10:08

Most estate agents are a useless waste of oxygen so don't expect them to call you back. If you want a house you'll need to do the work so call them about the one that's still on the market.

artyjools · 22/09/2010 11:42

I'm on the London / Surrey borders and some houses where I am looking have been on the market for months - they are simply over priced. But recently I have had one agent tell me that it is worth offering £100,000 under the price and another not exactly saying that, but inviting me to make an offer which I had already said would perhaps be insulting to the vendors. I wouldn't even consider a house which was going to sealed bid - its just not that sort of sellers' market. If you see something you like, why not put in what you think is a sensible offer. The agent is obliged to put it to the vendor and you might be pleasantly surprised.

We have to sell before we get to that stage. Its been on the market for a month but we have already dropped the price and would drop it further if the houses we are interested in come down too. Its the differential I have my eye on. We are wondering whether to cut our price now in order to get a sale in thehope that that other vendors will get a reality check too and accept a fair offer.

LadyBiscuit · 22/09/2010 11:43

Are you actually looking at any of these houses?

If I were the vendor, I'd be seriously pissed off if my EA were telling people that my house was nearly sold when it wasn't.

lostFeelings · 22/09/2010 11:46

so would I...

I realised tyhat the best option was to go and chat to owners during viewing

EA are notorius for being dishonest etc
(I am in Surrey)

artyjools · 22/09/2010 12:59

But I'm still baffled. Why on earth would they do this??? I would imagine they are really struggling to get sales and therefore commission at the moment - so echoing the OP's question - Why??

On a good note, I have just received a call from my agent saying someone wants to come and view my house . Wish me luck!!

dejavuaswell · 22/09/2010 14:23

Just based on my experience in the E and W midlands.

Very few houses are selling and those that are are going for prices well under the original asking price. EA will attempt to talk the market up and one - whom I have know for years - freely admits that he expects his staff to do the same to friends and family.

I always think even on Mumsnet when I read about houses selling in days (except perhaps in London)

narmada · 23/09/2010 21:16

Simple answer OP, is that it's because EAs are total shits.

Original poster

youknowmeasharimo · 24/09/2010 15:08

I have to agree...

I rang about that house again, to be told it's going to 'best offers' this Friday.

I just said, I would leave it.

Then I thought about it - she said best offers... not bids... And that makes me think that they are just trying to pile the pressure on by saying there are loads of people interested and trying to get people to pay more than they should... But they are not actually expecting to achieve the asking price.

I'll wait for now... Time is on my side and I have a feeling the housing market is going to get worse, not better...

OP posts:

dustythedolphin · 24/09/2010 15:43

Things are moving, we just sold ours in six days - if the price is realistic, there could be several people genuinely making offers.

I think the problem is that many vendors are not being realistic about their selling price, hence lack of movement for a lot of properties. Some houses we have viewed have been on the market for over two years and vendors have refused to reduce the price..so they will stay on the market

dustythedolphin · 24/09/2010 15:46

deja - just saw your post - ours is in London, where there are a lot more people looking I guess, so probably not typical of the rest of the country

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