Estate agent advising against speaking to vendor

[Buttons0522]

Posted yesterday about our chain being on the verge of collapse due to boundary/land registry issues at the bottom of the chain. Our vendor has been informed of this and has asked to speak to us. This is our dream home, we’re gutted we might lose it. The vendor’s estate agent told us about the seller’s request to talk to us but has advised that we don’t speak directly with them. I personally can’t see any harm that can be done by having a conversation and don’t see what we’ve got to lose. Am I missing something?!

Talking to our buyer was what saved the chain for us (am happily moved and now sat in my new house) - at this point I don't see what you have to lose to see if anything can be done!

@Reeniebeanie78 congrats on new home 😀I agree, not sure what we have to lose and confused as to why the agent would even advise us against this really

I think you may as well - it might just be generic advice. When I sold ages ago, I gave the buyer my number - big, BIG mistake. She absolutely hounded me, and I was going through the death of a parent, depression, early stage pregnancy etc etc. I would never give my personal details out again; the process is so stressful, it can make people act in slightly crazy ways!

We contacted our vendor despite Estate Agent begging us not to. We did anyway and it saved our chain.

Turns out they had behaved appallingly and the lies they came out with were outrageous! So no wonder they didn't want us finding out what they had been saying about us to the vendor and vice versa

I think agents get a bit funny about losing control of the narrative. Ours was really miffed that I contacted our buyer but our chain was literally about to collapse and by that point I didn't believe a word coming out of our estate agents mouth! We exchanged 2 weeks later whereas if we had left it to the estate agent I am 100% sure it would have fallen apart. See what the vendor has to say. At least you will know you tried everything no matter what happens. Good luck!

Go for it.
I actually went round to the lady at top of our chain - the one selling ti the people we were buying from.
Knocked on the door and had a chat.
She was lovely and as desperate to sell up.
Turned out they need ti have a building regs bloke out ti check the proper roof they'd put on their conservatory - which 2 weeks more.
Solicitor and estate agents couldn't tell us anything- so I asked.
All very pleasant

Yes the lies told by the estate agent across our chain was astounding! So glad I took the bull by the horn and dealt directly with our buyer!

This. Partially that the agents fear being out of the loop, and partially that they want to be able to manipulate things - e.g. decide when to cover up issues. Things went far more smoothly when we had direct contact with our vendors.

We saved our sale by talking to them. They wanted a massive deposit to be given to them (not held by solicitors) before we exchanged. We said no because it was a risk. Turned out it was because they needed it to buy their new build. So we suggested completing earlier so they had all the money (they could stay with relatives briefly) and everyone was happy. Estate agents had just been telling them no and we were getting nowhere.

So basically yes talk to them

The house we bought was with purple bricks, the only good thing is the ability on the website to talk to the vendor. I can see how it could back fire if you are an arse but in your situation I would absolutely talk to your vendor.

We had a title/land registry issue with the house we were buying, the outhouse at the bottom of the garden actually encroached into our neighbours garden but wasn’t shown on the plan. It was all resolved in the end, due to us talking .

Thanks all for sharing your positive stories! We don’t have a number so DH was going to knock on their door tonight but felt it had got a bit late. DH has been dealing with their agent - he says she seems quite protective of them. She had already told the vendor she wouldn’t pass on our number before asking DH who said of course it’s ok to pass it on. I don’t believe she has! We probably need to insist she does it tomorrow… or we could just go round!

It makes sense to talk to the sellers, if necessary, although agents don't like it because they aren't in control of it. But tough - they'll still get their fee!
I've been lied to by all the agents I've dealt with - have bought four houses. Talking to the sellers helps cut the crap. Why wouldn't you? In any other situation you would have a civilised conversation to find out info or help solve a problem.

When we bought and sold last year we were in regular touch with our buyers. Partly because the agent was so useless. They were nice people.

and when we bought and sold the previous time we were in regular touch with our sellers.

agents round here don’t seem bothered.

Put a nice, friendly note through their door with your number and let them contact you in their own time - turning up on their doorstep might feel a bit confrontational (no matter how nice you are!) but let them know you're willing and keen to talk.

Great idea @bloodyfootprint we will do just that in the morning

I found our buyer on FB when we sold last year.

We’re currently buying (almost there) and have been in contact with the vendor the whole time.

In both instances we have saved A LOT of time.