Was the estate agent bluffing?

[FlyingSoap]

We have found our own broker who seems great and doesn’t charge a fee.

Had our offer accepted today, instructed solicitor etc - went with estate agents recommendation on this

Our broker has given us a list of products and asked which we would like to go ahead with.

The estate agent wants us to speak with their in house broker later this week. She said on the phone that the vendor would really prefer us to do it ‘all in house’, as that’s what they are doing, and also buying their next house from the same estate agent.

Is this likely to be true? I don’t want them to rescind their offer just because we’re getting a mortgage through our own broker.

Advice appreciated, we’re first time buyers so a bit naive

If this is true, the vendor is a cheeky fucker. It's none of their business where you get your mortgage from!

That’s why I’m wondering if it’s more likely for the estate agent to just be saying that so they get the commission? What do you think

A commonly used tactic. The estate agent will get a referral fee from the broker. So there will be a financial benefit to them if you did use the in house broker.

They may also play the card of it will all go through quicker, be more streamlined etc etc.

why would a vendor have any preference over the broker you used…I’d go with your own preference unless there is a financial incentive for you to go in house.

good luck

It's just agent blag. Ignore.

Laugh. Say to them, 'We will be choosing our mortgage company carefully for our own needs and convenience. Not yours, nor the person who is selling the house.'

Agent BS. They want the commission for referring you, that's all. They are preying on your anxiety as FTBs.
Ignore them and use the broker that you have confidence in.

Nope, absolute BS. Common tactic for estate agents to generate more business in house. It's your legal right as a purchaser to instruct a solicitor of your choosing. Let them know this in no uncertain terms so they stop preying on you with unscrupulous tactics.

Lies.

And you shouldn’t be using their recommended conveyancer either. They are getting a backhander for that and they are notoriously shit.

I would recommend finding your own conveyancer. The backhanders can be as much as 50% of the fees you are paying, fyi.

If the EA insists you speak to their broker ‘just so they can do a quick check on your affordability’ tell the EA that you will have your broker confirm your affordability to theirs. That is all they need.

Total bullshit.
I tell them I already have my own broker I've worked with for years and they are a family friend. That shuts them up.
As a seller in the past I have used the estate agent's recommended local solicitor's firm for the conveyancing and that's worked out well, but I knew what to look for as I've been burnt before (cheapest is usually not best!)