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Original poster

Can I bypass a nasty agent and contact the house seller directly?

29 replies

rabbitcarrot · 08/03/2021 18:10

I saw my dreamed house 3 weeks ago.

Got in touch with estate agent, the agent got very bad reputation with selling their mortgage service. The guy spoke to me last Monday insisted to have to pass their mortgage adviser test first then can book me in viewing the house even I told them I got decent deposit & AIP in ready. Then last Wednesday he called me again requested to email him the bank statements & mortgage in principle etc. Then promise me to book viewing either Saturday or this Monday night. As I expected, nothing from him until now.

Do you think I should contact/post a letter to the house owner directly? If I did make an offer, can I offer to house owner straight away? What about the following procedure? Let my solicitor contacted with owner as well? Who is contact to do the search/survey? Is it possible to completely jump off this nasty agent?

If we still need go through this agent, I decide to walk away this house..
It's so sad, this kind of house only appeared one every year.

OP posts:

Elieza · 08/03/2021 18:18

I’d just be on the phone to the agent again and asking what the hold up is?

If he can’t give you a satisfactory explanation then yes you could put a note through the sellers door, but there may be a reason (like the seller has caught covid) or something else that’s causing the delay.

Sometimes you just have to keep on at people if they aren’t very helpful.

Bumblebee413 · 08/03/2021 18:19

Go see the mortgage advisor. You are under no obligation whatsoever to use them to find a mortgage or go with their suggestion. Just smile and nod, then you get to see the house. If it really is as good as you say then it's worth it, if you can't be bothered, you lose it.

Buyers are having to prove they're serious and have the funds at the moment to avoid time wasters with covid. If it were me selling and you tried to bypass the estate agent I'd be pretty suspicious of you. But others might not be.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 08/03/2021 18:21

The agent works for the vendor, so will be doing 'due diligence' to make sure that all potential viewings are by people who can proceed. This is the norm atm because viewings are so restricted due to COVID.

However there is a big name high St EA that are really pushy with their mortgage service - I viewed a few places with them and then had calls for their mortgage dept - I just told them very firmly I was not interested.

Just say you would like to view the property and are not interested in talking to their mortgage dept.

You might be able to contact the seller direct, but they will no be under contract to the EA for probably 3 months, and will want the EA to do lots of the work involved in co-ordinating survey visits, liaising with any chain etc.

Your solicitor looks after things like the searches and any issues arising out of the survey, also the Property Information form and the Fixtures and Fittings.

If it is a rare find house and you really want it I wouldn't cut off my nose to spite my face - just be assertive with the EA and be clear that you are very interested in the house but not their mortgage service.

occa · 08/03/2021 18:21

You can try and deal directly with the owner, sure but it might annoy them and almost certainly won't make any price difference as they'll still be liable for the commission to the agent even if they make a private sale.

I'd try the agent one more time. Annoying though.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 08/03/2021 18:23

To be clear, not interested in taking out a mortgage through them. They will still want to see your AIP.

LunaHeather · 08/03/2021 18:27

OP is this your first time buying?

hauntedvagina · 08/03/2021 18:36

The whole point of having an AIP and demonstrable deposit is so you can prove to the EA that you are in a position to buy the house.

A good EA wouldn't entertain showing someone a house if they weren't 100% sure that person was in a position to buy it.

ExcusesAndAccusations · 08/03/2021 18:45

Not all estate agents are good ones. The OP should grit her teeth and jump through the hoops but it’s far from impossible that they will prioritise buyers who purchase through their own mortgage advisers.

I think if you really love the house you should jump through the hoops and chase the EA but it’s also worth trying to get in touch with buyer directly to let them know that you are a serious and keen purchaser with AIP in place but you’re worried that the EA isn’t pursuing you for some reason so you’re giving them the heads up.

CrazyCatLazy · 08/03/2021 18:47

If I remember rightly I had to provide my AIP when I bought my house before viewing, I don’t think I had to provide bank statements though - surely that’s what the AIP is for?

Original poster

rabbitcarrot · 08/03/2021 20:25

@CrazyCatLazy

AIP is mortgage in principle which is the total amount bank are willing to lend you based on your salary *4.5 or 4.75, Bank statements show them the deposit and savings you already got in your bank account.

Agent required the AIP + bank statement balance must be over asking price, if the total less than asking price, you can't view the house.

OP posts:

MeepleMe · 08/03/2021 20:31

Unfortunately I've had several friends who had EA insist they produced bank statements, even when they already had their AIP. I think it's ridiculous that these jumped up agents are doing this, why do they think they know better than the bank/mortgage broker who has already seen your statements in order to produce the AIP?!
In your case OP I'd be ringing twice a day to this EA badgering them to get you a viewing. What's the delay now since you've already emailed all the proof as requested.

Original poster

rabbitcarrot · 08/03/2021 20:33

After discuss with my family and friends, I decide to give up this house.

Buying the house is already very stressful, I can't stand to deal with a dodgy agent in such stressful process. I just checked this agent reviews which might explained why this nice house with reasonable price still on the market for over 3 weeks. I guessed many other potential buyers are also being through the similar experience.

OP posts:

inmylifeIlovedthemall · 08/03/2021 20:36

[quote rabbitcarrot]@CrazyCatLazy

Agent required the AIP + bank statement balance must be over asking price, if the total less than asking price, you can't view the house.[/quote]
I am surprised by this and don’t know if have just been lucky or whether the buying process is changing dramatically.

I bought my current property 2 1/4 years ago without proving finances ahead of viewing and I have viewed three properties in the last fortnight, again without having to prove finances.

What is more I wouldn’t be sending copies of my bank statements to an EA. I am happy to supply them to my Solicitor and ask him to provide confirmation of funds, but would be very concerned having my account details floating around outside if my control.

DogsNosesAreCute · 08/03/2021 20:39

@CrazyCatLazy Connells are the scum of the earth, they could offer me a house for free and I wouldn't accept it. Read their trustpilot reviews, absolutely shocking

RavingAnnie · 08/03/2021 20:44

I would be popping a note through the owners door explaining that you have tried to view their house as you are very keen but have been prevented from doing so by their agent as even as you already have an AIP they are refusing to let you view unless you meet with their mortgage broker.

I would want to know if my estate agent was putting up barriers to potential purchasers. Fair enough do due diligence if there is no AIP in place but this is not that. This is about commission.

CrazyCatLazy · 08/03/2021 21:00

[quote rabbitcarrot]@CrazyCatLazy

Agent required the AIP + bank statement balance must be over asking price, if the total less than asking price, you can't view the house.[/quote]
I’m aware of what an AIP is, I mean I’m just surprised that they are asking for your bank statements as well as this. I’ve never provided any, neither have my parents that have just bought another house.

I think they are being difficult as you say.

CrazyCatLazy · 08/03/2021 21:00

[quote DogsNosesAreCute]@CrazyCatLazy Connells are the scum of the earth, they could offer me a house for free and I wouldn't accept it. Read their trustpilot reviews, absolutely shocking[/quote]
Was this meant for me? 🤔😂

Comefromaway · 08/03/2021 21:25

I didn’t have to provide bank statements but I did have to show the ISA statement where my deposit was being held. That is normal now. Proof of mortgage in principal & proof of deposit.

But insisting you see their mortgage advisor is not on.

xyzandabc · 08/03/2021 21:35

[quote rabbitcarrot]@CrazyCatLazy

Agent required the AIP + bank statement balance must be over asking price, if the total less than asking price, you can't view the house.[/quote]
That makes no sense. It make no allowance for any equity from the house you are selling.

Random numbers but:
I had an AIP for 300k, I had 25k in my bank account. The house I was interested in was 600k, am I not allowed to view it ?

How ridiculous. I am selling a house with 300k equity in it. But that wouldn't show up either in AIP or bank statement.

Comefromaway · 08/03/2021 21:57

The estate agent would be able to that your house was on the market. Many won’t allow you to view unless you are under offer.

Enorel · 08/03/2021 22:16

A good agent will check you have the funds so that people aren't strung along, paying out for surveys or solicitors, for someone to drop out because they thought they'd be able to get the money, then didnt. It also prevents people spending time tidying up for a viewing, which can take hours with small DC, for nosey people to view, who aren't in a position to buy. Nobody wants viewings from people who aren't in a position to buy.

Midlifephoenix · 09/03/2021 00:18

I've just viewed with three different agents and all accepted my verbal word that I was under offer. When it came time to put an offer in, I had to show a bank statement and where the cash had come from.
The agents are incompetent and too bad it's costing their clients a sale.

Londongent · 09/03/2021 08:48

I wouldn't let dealing with a difficult EA put you off your dream house. Buying a house is always going to involve some stress. It's annoying but why not jump through their hoops, meet their mortgage advisor so that they can see that you have funds in place.
The mortgage advisor can do all their checks etc, but at the end of it, you just say that you are happy to go with your lender's AIP (unless they somehow find you a better deal).
The advisor/broker are regulated by the FCA so the EA cannot force you into using them. But if this really is your dream house then as another poster said don't cut off your nose to spite your face

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 09/03/2021 09:16

@xyzandabc : they call the agent selling your house to ascertain the offer you have to cover that part of the offer price. Or ask your solicitor.

xyzandabc · 09/03/2021 15:01

@RainingBatsAndFrogs

I know that but I was responding to the post that said:
'Agent required the AIP + bank statement balance must be over asking price, if the total less than asking price, you can't view the house.'

There is no mention in that statement of the agent attempting to find out if you are selling a property or have any equity, so as a statement it is just incorrect.

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