Any experience using estate agents to do negotiations for you?

[cheekyfunkymonkey]

We have sold our house via a high st estate agent. We are now at the point where we want to put an offer in on a property with a rival agent. Our estate agent has offered to do the bidding for us. We didn't even realise they offered this service. I can't see the hartm if the property we want to buy isn't with them. Anyone else done this? What are the advantages/ Any hints and tips (we probably won't let them know our top figure if we do take them up on the offer).

Ooh - I wouldn't trust them! If they don't know your too figure how can they effectively negotiate on your behalf?

Definitely wouldn't trust them!! They'll be making sure their/your sale goes through, not getting you the best deal on a purchase. Is there reason you don't want to negotiate for yourself?

No reason, just thought being detached may help keep the emotion out. Just to clarify, we wouldn't let the estate agent know our top budget, just get them to use their experience to talk to the other agent and big us up as buyers etc.

Im afraid I just cant see whats in it for them - so on that basis I wouldnt be expecting them to try very hard or put themselves out at all. Maybe you've got the only a caring/sharing agent though!

No. They will "accidentally" lose the negotiation and you will magically be presented with a nice alternative which the agent negotiating on your behalf just happen to be selling......

At any rate. Negotiating is simply, putting in an offer await response and offer again or not depending on what happens.

Thanks all, giving it a go ourselves.... Fingers crossed!