Am I being unreasonable?

[Smudge2201]

We had our first viewing yesterday. And I thought it would be fun to watch it back on the Ring cameras we have - they’re not hidden, in plain sight dotted around the house.

All was going well, seemed to like it. Asked the estate agent if they thought it was overpriced and they said ‘yes, we haven’t had as many viewings lined up as we thought we would so that’s throwing up some alarm bells’.

1. they suggested the price and we’re adamant even when I questioned it.
   
2. surely you’d say something more along the lines of ‘it’s a new listing, so we’re gauging interest and the the seller is open to offers’
   
   Not sure what to do now, but feeling a bit confused to be honest?

[sunshinesupermum]

Your estate agent is taking the pi$$. 2 is the professional answer.

[Smudge2201]

@sunshinesupermum

Your estate agent is taking the pi$$. 2 is the professional answer.

😞 don’t know whether to say something, hate conflict, but it’s one of the most important things we’ll even do.

[sunshinesupermum]

I understand but he's supposed to be acting in your interest 😢

[Smudge2201]

@sunshinesupermum

I understand but he's supposed to be acting in your interest 😢

I know 😞 the people they were showing around were lovely so I think the agent just slipped into ‘friend’ mode.

[CutesyUserName]

That's very unprofessional. I would NOT be happy if my estate agent said that. He should certainly have said something along the lines of what you suggested above.

[Smudge2201]

@CutesyUserName

That's very unprofessional. I would NOT be happy if my estate agent said that. He should certainly have said something along the lines of what you suggested above.

I’m trying to stay calm, but to be honest I was gutted when I heard it.

[CutesyUserName]

@Smudge2201

I’m trying to stay calm, but to be honest I was gutted when I heard it.

I absolutely would call them out on it, providing the evidence if required. I don't know if it was an unexperienced agent that was doing the viewing, but I'd expect any decent agent to have a well prepared answer for that question.

[Pixiedust1234]

I would feel the same as you but I don't know how you would be able to approach this. Just saying the cameras are in full view is not enough, you have to explicitly tell people they are being recorded.

[Smudge2201]

@Pixiedust1234

I would feel the same as you but I don't know how you would be able to approach this. Just saying the cameras are in full view is not enough, you have to explicitly tell people they are being recorded.

I’m know. That’s what’s holding me back from saying anything. We have them for security, not for this obviously. It’s all just awkward now.

[uninspiredpanda]

I'm convinced Estate agents put the price as high as they can get away with because it boosts their profits. I imagine you'll have signed a contract that says something like their commission will be 1.5% (or similar) of the sale price - with the minimum fee being the percentage of the original listing price so they get more if you sell it for more, but they still get that initial percentage that you agreed even if you reduce the price. I cannot stand estate agents.

[KievLoverTwo]

https://www.hunters.com/about-us/news/asking-too-much-why-are-agents-overpricing-homes

They're gonna tell you that it needs reducing at the four week mark.

How long is your contract with them? If it's four weeks, I would let it run and then dump them.

I think what you caught on camera is reason enough to do so. They shouldn't be telling viewers it's overpriced.

[FrontEnd]

Just interested, did you give them the contract to sell based on their valuation being higher than other agents, because if so than might be yours answer. They have been grossly unprofessionalism in my opinion.

[Smudge2201]

@FrontEnd

Just interested, did you give them the contract to sell based on their valuation being higher than other agents, because if so than might be yours answer. They have been grossly unprofessionalism in my opinion.

No it was based on their good reputation locally.

[helpfulperson]

Are you sure they didn’t spot your cameras and were pissed off so started messing with you. I'd be pretty cross if I realised a house was full of ring door bells recording me.

[Smudge2201]

I don’t think so! But fair point, it didn’t even occur to me until after, we’ve had them for years as OH is v security conscious. I’ll make sure they’re out away for any other ones. I think a lot of people have them.

[Handsnotwands]

You’ve got cameras all over your house ?

that’s weird. And unnecessary

[Smudge2201]

@Handsnotwands

You’ve got cameras all over your house ?

that’s weird. And unnecessary

Each to their own I think. They are only in two rooms, one where the window leads out on to a flat roof and another where there is a fully glazed door leading out on to the garden.

[Twiglets1]

It’s creepy you having those cameras but all the same, I would be unhappy if I heard my estate agents saying that. They are supposed to work for you as you will be the one paying their bill not the buyer.
I would tell them what you heard and say this negativity towards your house valuation needs to stop.

[KievLoverTwo]

@Smudge2201

I’m know. That’s what’s holding me back from saying anything. We have them for security, not for this obviously. It’s all just awkward now.

What do you have it priced at? Their recommended asking price plus 5%?

[Bluebellbike]

@uninspiredpanda

I'm convinced Estate agents put the price as high as they can get away with because it boosts their profits. I imagine you'll have signed a contract that says something like their commission will be 1.5% (or similar) of the sale price - with the minimum fee being the percentage of the original listing price so they get more if you sell it for more, but they still get that initial percentage that you agreed even if you reduce the price. I cannot stand estate agents.

I agree. When I sold I chose an estate agent who charged a fixed fee. (£1500). It was much cheaper than the percentage fee.

[EggInANest]

I would be very upset to find that I was being filmed viewing a house. I have no idea what an indoor ring doorbell camera looks like, and no no one who films people indoors.

Please stop it.

Talk to the agent. Ask in detail how the viewing went and how they think the people reacted to the price.

[Palmasailor]

@Smudge2201

We had our first viewing yesterday. And I thought it would be fun to watch it back on the Ring cameras we have - they’re not hidden, in plain sight dotted around the house.

All was going well, seemed to like it. Asked the estate agent if they thought it was overpriced and they said ‘yes, we haven’t had as many viewings lined up as we thought we would so that’s throwing up some alarm bells’.

1. they suggested the price and we’re adamant even when I questioned it.
   
2. surely you’d say something more along the lines of ‘it’s a new listing, so we’re gauging interest and the the seller is open to offers’
   
   Not sure what to do now, but feeling a bit confused to be honest?

It’s beyond simple:

everyone is greedy and wants the last £ for their house so the agent that quotes the highest figure gets the instruction.

they know they said too much, but they get the instruction.

they then have to manage you down.

the buyer knows it’s too much - so does the agent and unless the agent agrees with the buyer, the buyer just walk without making an offer.

it takes several offers below asking price to re condition the seller about the real value of the house.

the seller drops and eventually it sells for a lower price.

[mondaytosunday]

It's a foolish agent to use that tactic @Palmasailor. I do my own research and know what my property is worth. To list high just to get someone to sign then reduce ? A good agent wants to sell quickly, and in my experience that's what they want to do and price for that. No point wasting their time showing for a few weeks just to reduce. I'm sure it happens but that's not an agent I'm ever going to use again, and would certainly not recommend to friends.

[Palmasailor]

@mondaytosunday

It's a foolish agent to use that tactic @Palmasailor. I do my own research and know what my property is worth. To list high just to get someone to sign then reduce ? A good agent wants to sell quickly, and in my experience that's what they want to do and price for that. No point wasting their time showing for a few weeks just to reduce. I'm sure it happens but that's not an agent I'm ever going to use again, and would certainly not recommend to friends.

🤷‍♂️

that’s what the vast majority do.

almost nobody but nobody goes with a lower price.

so they manage that.

[FrontEnd]

I have ring cameras. Even if the alarm is off they are continually monitoring. There are also stickers everywhere saying there is an alarm system and the place is under surveillance which I guess you have too @Smudge2201 and if so, I think there's nothing creepy whatsoever about you looking at the footage and citing it in a complaint. People do anonymous viewings for their mates all the time and it's to root out exactly this type of thing. For good reason!