Would you change estate agent?

[Whoevenknows79]

We put our house on the market in April, and sold within 2 weeks to a lady who was due to complete on a flat she was selling in the the next few weeks, essentially making her chain free by the time we would have found somewhere. Our agent got in touch about 6 weeks later to see how we were getting on with our search. During the call he told me that our buyers buyer had pulled out on exchange day but that it was fine, they had relisted it and she had now accepted an offer and was starting the selling process, so might still be complete before we were ready to complete. I accepted this, but in hindsight am annoyed he didn't tell us the sale had fallen through as we may have wanted to go back to market to see if we could find a buyer without a chain. Fast forward 4 weeks and we had an offer accepted on a property we love. I let my agent know and sent him my solicitor's details, a week later it turned out our buyer still hadn't instructed a solicitor. This made me nervous as given she had been waiting a few months I expected her to want to move quickly. I raised this with my agent and said that if she didnt get moving I would relist the house. He then said he would chase her up and within half an hour called me back saying she had chosen a solicitor but her buyer has just called to pull out! He said that she still wanted our house and would like us to give her the weekend to try to get another offer. We agreed to this, but assume she didn't get an offer as our agent hasn't been in touch since, despite saying he would be. We've actually pulled out of the house we were buying as turns out they have no building regs sign off for a massive extension, however I'm left wondering if I should change my agent as I don't trust him to be honest with us. I don't think he would have told me our buyers sale had fallen through if I hadn't got annoyed about her not appointing a solicitor, in which case we could have wasted 900 pounds on a survey for a house we couldn't proceed on. If you were me would you change agents? It's a bit of a pain and maybe they are all the same but I've lost trust. I only need to give two weeks notice.

Anyone?

Yes I would. If he can’t even communicate with you - which is absolutely key in keeping a chain together - he’s not doing his job.

Try to find an agent who ONLY sells houses and doesn’t offer all the modern bells and whistles like recommended conveyancers, mortgage brokers etc. If selling houses are their only stream of income, they are far more motivated to do a good job.

I don’t think what your EA did was particularly bad seeing as you had yet to find a house to buy when your buyers experienced a problem with their buyer pulling out. It’s not like you were in any hurry so theoretically they had time to find another buyer before it impacted upon you, which they did.

Unfortunate that she has had another buyer pull out but these things do happen, as you’ve seen from your own house purchase. Your house obviously has to go back on the market now but it’s not the fault of the EA. Nevertheless, if you feel the relationship has been soured then you can give them notice - your choice.

@Twiglets1 I'm actually happy to give the buyer a bit more time, id just like a bit more transparency and to have the full picture. There is a big difference between a buyer with no chain and a buyer with a chain. I let the agent know as soon as we thought we might be pulling out so our buyer didn't rush to appoint a solicitor when we might not proceed. I guess maybe I just need to have a frank conversation with him.

I would not be happy with an agent who did not keep me updated on the buyer's position. You are paying him, not the buyer, therefore he should be working with you and not updating you only when you ask!

Yes, that's how I feel @m00rfarm I feel like his focus is on securing the house for the buyer, whose property is up with the same agency (though under a different agent). Feels like lots of white lies. Turns out her property has been on the market since September, however I was given a different impression. He has been helpful in other ways, I'm just not sure it's wise to stick with someone I don't fully trust.

Definitely change agents and relist. I wouldn't trust the agent nor the "buyer" (who is clearly not in a position to buy and seemingly not in a hurry either).

Thanks for the comments. I didn't hear back from my agent all week, even though I said I would give the buyer till Tuesday. I called him on Friday afternoon for an update and to provide some feedback but he didn't answer and now he's gone on holiday for a week. He did at least get someone from his office to call me yesterday, but only in response to my call. In my mind he is stalling to try and keep the property with the current buyer when he should be discussing us going back to market. Planning to give him notice this week.