AIBU to feedback to EA on what we heard on CCtv.

[Sticki]

Our house has been on market for 6 wks and had 3 viewings in that time. We have obvious CCTV camera in front garden which is signposted.

Yesterday we had a viewing and the branch director was in charge, it's a small team with 2-3. From the footage of the front garden he clearly knew nothing about the house and couldn't answer questions accurately although he had a meeting with us before we signed up with them.

We have found somewhere and we need an offer on ours asap to progress and not lose out on the one we like. So it's really frustrating to hear him neglecting to mention to viewings why our house is a good bet and answer basic questions. For the fee they are charging some basic preparation would be good - I'd be called in for poor performance at work if I didn't prepare properly for client meetings.

We did talk about house security (alarm and CCTV) when we first met the EA.

I was going to give general feedback about making sure the viewers know X and Y. DH wants to say what we heard on the recording.

In your shoes I'd start by asking questions, such as "What did the viewers say about X? We think it's a key selling point, what do you think?" The EA may genuinely think some things aren't important, so I wouldn't want to be confrontational about it. You risk damaging the relationship with the EA by referring directly to what you heard / saw IMO. But definitely keep an eye on what's happening and if it turns into a pattern of behaviour, then either confront him or change agents.

I think buyers are used to EAs being crap, tbh. If they love the house they'll find a way to ask questions. I don't think feeding back will make them any better at their job, but it might make them dislike you a little bit - nobody wants to be told 'you need to do better.'

You could always offer to do viewings though. Just make sure your you let the viewers know they should feel free to walk around on their own without you if they want to, so they don't feel pressured.

All my best viewings have been with vendors because they know the answers to all the questions.

We left a bullet point list in the kitchen covering things like neighbours, internet speed, age of boiler, water pressure, loft etc so if they asked basic questions it was right there in front of the EA. It's sad but a lot of EAs don't necessarily have time to prep and would rely on just passing on queries after the viewing. The best viewing I went to the EA had a folder full of information which had been prepared by the seller but it answered everything!

I think you need to share the specifics for us to answer. As an emotionally invested seller, we often lose sight of what really matters, and get hung up on minutiae.

I don’t think it will make a difference. EAs can be pretty useless. When we sold, I made a big list for the EA stating what the really
positive points about the property are, and lots of other answers to likely questions. The EAs didn’t bother telling anything to viewers, just let them look around and have a very basic overview of the property. It’s only when I did the second viewings that we got an offer.

Do your signs specifically notify people that audio is being recorded?

I wouldn't buy any house where my conversations were being covertly recorded by the owners.

Perhaps the CCTV is putting people off, to me it suggests there is trouble in the area.

I have viewed a lot of properties and the majority of the EAs are crap. Many are just there to let you in and know nothing about the property.

My experience of viewings was that half the time they are with someone who literally rocks up and opens the door. Often they are hired on busy days like Saturdays and their job is just to let people through doors. I've been there when they've not even known how to open the door because it's their first visit to the property. Most of the time they tell you to ask any questions by email to the actual estate agent as they are just viewings people