Conversation with EA about the state of the market for flats

[Georgist]

I spoke to an estate agent about a flat for sale in Hove. After arranging a viewing for Friday afternoon, we had the following conversation:

EA: Because the market is ferocious at the moment, we suggest buyers know what they can afford, so they are in a position to act quickly.

Me: The market is ferocious?! Is this something which has changed in the last week or so?

EA: No. The market has been like this for months.

Me: I was aware that houses had been selling quickly, and some flats with gardens [this flat does not have any outside space] have been selling quite quickly, but I thought flats were still struggling to sell.
This flat has been on the market for two months. So I would have thought it would have sold by now if the market had been as strong as you say.

EA: She's rejected some offers. She knows what she wants and she's waiting for the right buyer.

Do you think you can infer anything about the state of the market from this conversation? Or does anyone have an thoughts on this sector of the market at the moment?

Estate agent=bullshitter

Is he trying to sell you their mortgage brokering services by any chance? It just sounds like a pressure sales pitch.

The market for houses is ferocious where we are - the market for flats is dead. Take it all with a pinch of salt!

As an estate agent myself this to me says the sellers had lower offers but won't accept and the estate agent us having trouble getting her to lower the price. The market is extremely buoyant at the moment and indeed has been for months. Its a sellers market that's for sure but flats are harder to sell what with the additions of service charge/management fees etc. Also the agent is right in that you do need to be proceedable - get yourself an AIP whether through your own broker or through the agents (never pay for an AIP you shouldn't have to pay - you only pay a broker once your proceed with the mortgage!)

I've sold two flats, one with no outside space and one with a balcony, in the last six months in different areas. One went to first person who saw it, the other did take a couple months. But I sold both very near ask.
It doesn't matter how buoyant a market is if the sellers are not willing to be realistic, and it does seem reasonable to have an AIP in place, as a seller I wouldn't take you seriously without one or other proof of funds. But estate agents are salespeople - anything that will improve a flats marketability or desirability is fair game.