Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Estate agent lying about offers?

32 replies

DaveyJonesLocker · 23/03/2023 16:42

So I've just been to view a house listed at 80k.
I spoke to the seller about what she wants and what offers she's had. She's had 2 offers. 60k and 70k but she wants 72.5k.

So I wrang estate agent and offered 72.5k.

To be told that they'd had multiple offers OVER 80k and they wanted me to up my offer before even telling the seller.

Have I missed something or is this just blatant lying?

OP posts:
Mateyduck · 23/03/2023 16:44

It’s blatant lying as they are trying to get more commission. I’d go straight to the seller and tell her what your offer is and what agents have said . Proper Cheeky !

NicLondon1 · 23/03/2023 17:11

Yes, if you know the seller then ask her.... but it could be true as I don't know of any houses that would cost £80k these days.... it could have been underpriced and they've had a lot of interest

rainingsnoring · 23/03/2023 17:19

Sounds as if they are lying.
Email and ask them to confirm the multiple offers over 80K to you in writing. Say that it's disappointing that there are apparently multiple offers on the property as you are unable to increase yours.

Wonnle · 23/03/2023 17:21

Lying estate agents ?

Now there's a thing ! They are nearly as low as journalists in the great scheme of things

Wonnle · 23/03/2023 17:23

NicLondon1 · 23/03/2023 17:11

Yes, if you know the seller then ask her.... but it could be true as I don't know of any houses that would cost £80k these days.... it could have been underpriced and they've had a lot of interest

They are bound to relay any offer to the seller , so I doubt very much they are telling the truth

IhateJan22 · 23/03/2023 17:23

Legally they have to put the offer forward regardless of other offers.

IllogicalLogic · 23/03/2023 17:26

Definitely lying.

A house was on with 2 agents. Number 1 said it was gone and I couldn't view it; the other, number 2, said it's still available. I viewed it with number 2 and then number 1 called back to say I can view it after all. I took more family members with me in the viewing with number 2, and was told the seller as offered a few thousand over my offer and refused it. Number 2 didn't know I'd already been round with number 1 who told me the lowest they would accept was 3 grand lower than estate agent number 2 told me.

I purchased through number 1, with the lower offer which was accepted within 10 minutes.

They lie for the hell of it, but they don't always get away with it!

Aaron95 · 23/03/2023 17:30

The estate agent works for the seller. They are not on your side. Never ever forget this.

It sounds like they are lying but it is also possible that they are not. Offer what you think is reasonable and if it isn't walk away. There will be many more houses to look at.

SquishyGloopyBum · 23/03/2023 17:34

IllogicalLogic · 23/03/2023 17:26

Definitely lying.

A house was on with 2 agents. Number 1 said it was gone and I couldn't view it; the other, number 2, said it's still available. I viewed it with number 2 and then number 1 called back to say I can view it after all. I took more family members with me in the viewing with number 2, and was told the seller as offered a few thousand over my offer and refused it. Number 2 didn't know I'd already been round with number 1 who told me the lowest they would accept was 3 grand lower than estate agent number 2 told me.

I purchased through number 1, with the lower offer which was accepted within 10 minutes.

They lie for the hell of it, but they don't always get away with it!

This is genius!!

Stormydanielss · 23/03/2023 18:16

I had this for my first house, the estate agent scoffed at the offer so I said your job is to ask the question, so he did and it was accepted. I think they're just trying on for more commission

NicLondon1 · 23/03/2023 18:39

@Wonnle Ah sorry, I didn’t read properly, I thought more time had elapsed between the viewing and the phone call…
If OP called straight after then they are definitely lying yes!

HalfSiblingsMadeContact · 23/03/2023 18:56

Aaron95 · 23/03/2023 17:30

The estate agent works for the seller. They are not on your side. Never ever forget this.

It sounds like they are lying but it is also possible that they are not. Offer what you think is reasonable and if it isn't walk away. There will be many more houses to look at.

Absolutely this - and yet, my mother's experiences (non-UK) have been that the estate agent doesn't work for the seller either. Just out for the quickest laziest sale they can get without doing too much work :(

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 23/03/2023 18:57

It's blatant lying. They will say literally anything and would sell their granny for five bob.

Heartofglass12345 · 23/03/2023 19:03

They are terrible. When we were selling a man and his daughter knocked the door and asked if we actually wanted to sell the house as she was interested, had asked for a viewing and they told her we hadn't got back to them yet.
I told them the estate agent hadn't even asked us, and the estate agents phoned not long after to say they (the ones at the door) had just left the office and were hoping for a viewing, which was funny as they'd just been at my front door!
Sounds like lies to me!

VeniVidiWeeWee · 23/03/2023 23:35

Wonnle · 23/03/2023 17:21

Lying estate agents ?

Now there's a thing ! They are nearly as low as journalists in the great scheme of things

Do you remember the Thalidomide scandal?

If you do,that was because of journalists.

Original poster
DaveyJonesLocker · 24/03/2023 09:37

@NicLondon1
It is a very cheap house, I'm in a strange situation where I have the cash but my budget is tiny . I'm in the NE and it's still a cheap house. There are cheaper ones but bad houses in bad areas.

I'm gonna ring today. I told them to put my offer forward anyway and tell me what she says. We exchanged numbers and I told her what I'd offered and she said yesterday they hadn't rang her. I think they're going to ring back and tell me she's counter offered without even speaking to her tbh. I dont want to get her in trouble with them by telling them we've been talking. I'm very conscious of her situation and I don't want to make it harder for her but I also don't want ripping off by these estate agents.

She really really resisted accepting my offer and tried to get me to tell her my maximum budget.

OP posts:
CellophaneFlower · 24/03/2023 12:19

You aren't going to get her in trouble. There's nothing stopping you communicating with her directly.

They, on the other hand, could get in trouble if they don't pass your offer on. Personally I'd take this further.

rainingsnoring · 24/03/2023 12:31

DaveyJonesLocker · 24/03/2023 09:37

@NicLondon1
It is a very cheap house, I'm in a strange situation where I have the cash but my budget is tiny . I'm in the NE and it's still a cheap house. There are cheaper ones but bad houses in bad areas.

I'm gonna ring today. I told them to put my offer forward anyway and tell me what she says. We exchanged numbers and I told her what I'd offered and she said yesterday they hadn't rang her. I think they're going to ring back and tell me she's counter offered without even speaking to her tbh. I dont want to get her in trouble with them by telling them we've been talking. I'm very conscious of her situation and I don't want to make it harder for her but I also don't want ripping off by these estate agents.

She really really resisted accepting my offer and tried to get me to tell her my maximum budget.

You won't get the seller into trouble! She is paying them to do a job and they appear to be lying and not passing on offers. She may wish to fire the agents.

I would seriously put it in an email so you have a record. Ask them to confirm higher offers and that they have passed on your offer to the seller.

Sirius3030 · 24/03/2023 14:04

Aaron95 · 23/03/2023 17:30

The estate agent works for the seller. They are not on your side. Never ever forget this.

It sounds like they are lying but it is also possible that they are not. Offer what you think is reasonable and if it isn't walk away. There will be many more houses to look at.

The estate agents work for themselves. They are not on the side of the vendor or buyer. Never ever forget that…

magicstar1 · 24/03/2023 14:24

My parents had their house up for sale, and the first person through the door offered 20k over the asking price. It was fairly priced so nobody else matched the extra money.
The estate agent still called the buyers back and told them to give another 2k and it would be accepted. My mother was furious and made them cancel the extra 2k request.

Leftoverssandwich · 24/03/2023 15:26

Much as I have found experiences with estate agents tricky, what they are doing with you is trying to get more money out of you for their client. At this point presumably they are waiting to see what you come back with before putting it to the owner. They won't withhold your offer as that way they get no commission at all. The difference between your offer and what they're trying to get is a few hundred pounds for them.

We sold recently and the agent told me that the initial offer had been low enough that he told them we just wouldn't accept it and they had to raise it. He only then passed on that second offer (which we were indeed happy with) once he had it. If they'd come back to him and said that their first offer was final, at that point he'd have told us about it. I assume this is the same situation.

Weedoormatnomore · 03/06/2023 08:36

Nearly 10 % reduction is a lot. She could have changed her mind her house was on fir 80k she could be waiting to see if someone else offers her closer.

SayItStraight · 08/06/2023 19:40

@DaveyJonesLocker what happened on the end and did you get the house?!

briansgardenshed · 08/06/2023 20:07

The agents are doing their job. They think they can get more for her - which is what she has asked them to do. By going direct to her you are putting her under pressure and she is uncomfortable as she doesn't really want to accept the lower offer. The agent might have got more. (Might still)

BlueMongoose · 08/06/2023 20:30

briansgardenshed · 08/06/2023 20:07

The agents are doing their job. They think they can get more for her - which is what she has asked them to do. By going direct to her you are putting her under pressure and she is uncomfortable as she doesn't really want to accept the lower offer. The agent might have got more. (Might still)

Lying - if they are lying that is of course- does not come within the definition of 'doing your job', though, does it?