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Original poster

Pushy EA (first time buyer)

99 replies

lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 11:36

Hi all, would be great to have some advice on this.

Looking to buy a property in a big UK city as a FTB. Property originally priced at £Xk, I offered over but was declined in favour of someone else who offered slightly more. Now their offer shows no sign of materialising so I am next down the list - have deposit of c.80% compared to theirs of 10% which I am hoping will be helpful atm.

Have a viewing booked this week but EA playing hardball and saying they need an idea of my offer before the viewing. Am I ok to say not more than the original offer & not give figures yet - and that I will be in a better place to give these after viewing? I imagine they want to lock me in at my last offer which was over asking price which I won't be doing in this current climate...

Can anyone advise? Thanks!

OP posts:
MedusasButterDish · 19/05/2020 16:57

Be firm with them, and also see if you can mention to the owners that the agent is being very off-putting. They will not want to hear that, and will hopefully give the agent a rocket. (Equally, of course, no need to feel the owners are on your side, either!)

Happydaysforever123 · 19/05/2020 17:04

You've done the right thing saying that to the estate agent they are being ridiculous, good for you for calling their bluff.
However be aware a lot of sellers, unless they're desperate to sell, will not contemplate a really low offer, they'll just stay put.

WombatChocolate · 19/05/2020 17:12

Be very calm with all this crap. Whenever he pushes you just say

'Well, I can only go at my pace. I can only offer after I've seen the property. It's a shame if he needs an answer before I've looked, when I'm in such a strong position, possibly as a cash buyer, but I will leave it to you to point it out and it is up to him'

AntiHop · 19/05/2020 17:19

With that money I would forget a flat and try a find a house.

Soontobe60 · 19/05/2020 17:23

I’m amazed that you have £320k stashed away!

Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 17:24

Thanks all - it is a house.

I have reminded him that while I can match the sellers' pace, I'm in no rush... So don't have to be forced into a sale...

really fed up with his attitude

OP posts:
Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 17:25

Thanks Soontobe - I'm incredibly lucky, it is due to an inheritance so not something I can claim credit for!

I do feel a bit taken advantage of by this guy.

Surprise, surpise, said hed call by 5.30 today - tumbleweed... No more chasing from me!

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 19/05/2020 17:31

It is possible that there is another buyer too so don't cut off your nose to spite your face just yet.

You have already made an offer. Maybe the seller does not want people coming round again if they have been isolating etc especially when you have seen the property already. It isn't unreasonable to ask if you are prepared to match the offer the same as it is unreasonable of you to say you need to revisit the property to refresh your memory and consider it in the current market situation.

Grumpylockeddownwoman · 19/05/2020 17:33

Saying full and final offers does indicate that there are other buyers around. That said you are in a good position.

Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 17:37

What do I do now? Waiting for them to confirm my viewing is still on - will have to travel 3 hours to get there so pretty important to know...

OP posts:
pilates · 19/05/2020 17:37

I bet you get a call tomorrow from him.

Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 17:37

@Grumpylockeddownwoman - yes it does, although he has already said they have 10% deposits which might be tricky in this climate

OP posts:
Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 17:39

Thanks @pilates - do i hold tight and wait until tomorrow am then?

agreed @SeasonFinale although I think his manner is pretty pushy and arguably they need a buyer just as much as I need them. Bit of compromise wouldn't go amiss.

Last thing I heard was that I hadnt got the property in early March, then got a call 5pm last Friday asking if I was still interested as it had fallen through. And then they want a "best and final" offer 4 days after telling me!

OP posts:
wowfudge · 19/05/2020 17:46

Well I hope this works out for you OP. The thing is you just don't know whether all this spiel is coming from the EA or it's a pissed off buyer getting stroppy with them. Whatever you do, don't make it known you have such a large deposit - they'll use that to try to get you to increase your offer saying that because of the LTV of any mortgage you may need you can afford to borrow more.

Troels · 19/05/2020 17:52

You could always write a letter to the owners as you know the address, let them know what kind of tactics he's using and how he wanted an offer before a viewing. I doubt they know. I'd be flamin mad if an EA did this on a house I was selling.

msmith501 · 19/05/2020 17:56

I have been put into a similar position about eight years back. I asked the EA to let the vendor know that I was withdrawing my offer due to the attitude and behaviour of the EA. Oddly enough it went a lot calmer after that.

Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 17:57

@Troels I wonder if it is coming from the owners?

Given that I have viewed the house once, he has stated a few times they not do want the disruption of second viewings.

In which case I am not sure I am playing it correctly? But it seems suspicious that their last offer has disappeared into thin air (e.g. the interest from others seems to be unrealistic??)

OP posts:
Michellebops · 19/05/2020 18:09

Hey, just reading through this. Absolutely do not let the EA bully you.
This is possibly how he handles his clients but you do not have to deal with it.
Do you have a mobile number for him?
Make one call or send a polite text asking him to confirm the viewing for tomorrow due to the distance you have to travel or at least confirm if you're now too late!
If you get to speak to the owners tomorrow I would be telling them what an awful person they have.
I'm guessing at an expensive value he is counting his commission which will be driving him to push this.
After your viewing, you can enter a note of interest via a solicitor with an offer depending on survey.
Good luck if this is you're dream home

namechangeonehundred · 19/05/2020 18:11

As pp said they really should be biting your hand off.
Given you haven't seen the property since March and had put it out of your mind so to speak it is absolutely reasonable for you to request a viewing - EA in the wrong for being so reluctant.
It's tricky because as pp said you don't want to miss out on the property. I'd be tempted to go above your point of contact if that's possible and sent a firm email explaining your situation, you are interested but obviously need to view again due to your first viewing being in March when you missed out.

digbee · 19/05/2020 18:23

The estate agent is being a bit of a dick, but really - if you had enough information to make an offer a few months ago, surely you have enough money info to make a (revised, lower) offer now?

LeviOsaNotLeviosAR · 19/05/2020 18:30

When I bought my house my original offer was rejected as another offer came in higher. (I also offered a few k over the asking price).
The winning offer fell through so the EA asked if I was still interested as I was next highest and a FTB. I said yes I was interested in still purchasing but I would like a second viewing to check out a few things beforehand. I refused to be any more committal than that - they needed me more than I needed them. I ended up lowering my initial offer by £1500. I figured being a FTB with my MIP already sorted that I was in a strong position and the difference covered my solicitor and MB fee's. They accepted my offer. My MB actually advised against me lowering the offer saying they may not look on it kindly especially as the estate is highly sought after. Was worth the risk to me and paid off.

Smallgoon · 19/05/2020 18:47

Just to clarify - have already seen the property once before so this is second time (with family members). Does it suffice to say that I wont be going over my last offer but will need to wait until the viewing to give actual numbers?

Doesn't matter! Once isn't enough in any case! You need to be sure that you want to offer, and a second viewing will aid this decision.

pilates · 19/05/2020 18:49

I would actively start looking for other properties. You never know there could be something better out there for you. You are a good buyer.

Original poster
lockdownlucylu · 19/05/2020 18:50

@digbee yes thats true, but he is asking me today and the viewing is scheduled for tomorrow - what difference does an extra day of thinking time make? I have chased, called, been at their disposal the last 4 days despite only hearing I was back in the running on Friday after nothing for 2 months...

Feeling quite taken for granted considering I am able to move at their pace and doing everything to suit them (sellers)

OP posts:
wowfudge · 19/05/2020 18:57

Tell the EA that in not so many words. This is one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make. Better to be sure before you make a firm offer than to get cold feet and pull out part way through the process.