estate agent comms

[Booface2024]

Hi after some opinions here. Planning to put house on market in new year. Contacted a local independent agent after asking in a local online group for recommendations. The agent initially contacted me via WhatsApp which I didn’t mind and all our dialogue has taken place this way. I’ve sent some home info, photos and been asked for personal info. At this point I asked if there was another method to send this data eg to a business email and explained I had some discomfort around using WhatsApp for this. Maybe it’s me and im old fashioned but as it’s owned by meta I think of it like a social media. In the past I’ve sent documents via email and vice versa with estate agents. My concern is GDPR compliance and risk of data breaches which I know can happen with email and any platform but from what I’ve read WhatsApp isnt built for business.

the agent assured me the data is held securely and deleted once no longer required but then went on to say she uses what’s app as doesn’t trust email. To continue working with her and use her for marketing my property I would have to likely keep using WhatsApp for everything and I’m just not sure I’m comfortable with legal and property documents being sent this way. For one I tend to delete threads for space after time so could lose things and audit trails

AIBU for requesting an alternative to WhatsApp and having concerns over this platform? Perhaps I’m old fashioned and this is the norm. No issue with using for general chat with the agent and appreciate the personal service but would just prefer to send PII via email or some other platform.

Just reply sorry that doesn’t work for me- please send me your business email address for transferring documents.

Thank you she has advised she doesn’t trust email and uses only WhatsApp
it’s a personal WhatsApp not business
i may have to walk away unfortunately it’s a shame as she seems good

Just walk away, plenty of others out there. Wouldn't be a good fit for me either. Does she use right move and zoopla? You need an email to register and list with both

If she has a local business address then snail mail or hand deliver (which is what I've done - by my choice not theirs), but estate agents really should have an email. How do they communicate with photographers, conveyancing solicitors, online property websites such as rightmove, etc?

Personally if she is the sort to trust WhatsApp over email then it sends tinfoil hat vibes.

This is going to be incredibly offputting for buyers and makes her sound batshit. I’d find someone else.

Thank you so much I don’t know if I’m just overly cautious but my line of work is compliance and I know we wouldn’t use it for sending documents. Don’t think she uses move and zoopla just checked and not seen any of her properties on there only on Facebook, instagram and her own website. Good point as I would definitely want right move exposure. Thank you

That’s a really good point I didn’t even think about it from the buyers perspective. It would put me off for sure and will possibly limit the pool. Not everyone even uses WhatsApp

Not trusting emails is the bit that would put me off her. Weird.

Definitely don’t go there!

Agree, avoid like the plague.

I’m about to list my house, and am going with a trusted (if there is such thing!) local estate agent, who still has a shop window, opens 7 days a week, and lists on all the relevant property portals like Zoopla, Rightmove, On The Market etc.

Yes, it’s more expensive, but I know they’ll do a good job. And I’ve agreed a fixed fee with them, so budget is accounted for.

I’ve started virtual house hunting, and am only looking on the above 3 websites - so would never see a house not listed there. And I’m always sceptical if someone is listed with Purplebricks!

She doesn't trust emails? How in the world is she still in business? What solicitor is going to deal with her (if they have to)? Total red flags / find someone else.
And by the way by your title I thought this was going to be about the agents commission, not communication.

Sorry about misleading title I am a bit tired today :) appreciate the reply

Agree this estate agent sounds very odd. Can't imagine buying a property off Facebook or Instagram. Maybe that seems normal to the youngest generation, but there's so many of us that wouldn't even see a property advertised in this way, you'd be majorly shrinking your market.

Everyone I just checked the website and there are some links to Rightmove however these are ones listed for modern auction so they are listed under the auction house’s listing. So the auction properties are on there and have exposure the auction house must pay for them

Your title is fine, comms is usually short for communications.

Purplebricks lists on Rightmove, Zoopla, etc.

I am of more mature years but I wish good luck to the person who goes with the local, traditional bricks and mortar estate agent. From my experience they were lazy, disinterested and resting on their laurels from their years in the community. I heaved a sigh if a property I wanted to see was with them as I knew it would be hard work to get viewing or answers to questions.

No-one looks for a house on estate agents' sites or in their windows these days. I also would not dream of allowing an estate agent to show my house. Therefore, I am paying someone an inflated price to put my price on the main websites and do a bit of message carrying between me and prospective buyers. That is all estate agents bring these days.

Rather than be suspicious if someone put their house on Purplebricks on similar, I'd be worried about people who have gone with an expensive estate agent. I'd wonder about their judgement in terms of quality vs cost on any work done on the house and would be particularly scrutisinising it. I'd be worried they are the type who would sell their cow for a handful of beans.

I wouldn’t trust a sale to someone who operates in that way. Who takes the photos, does due diligence etc?

I think people do still look in agents windows too. We’ve just sold using a traditional agent and there have often been people looking at properties in the window and coming into the shop when we’ve been in there.

After some false starts, we had an effective agent, who organised excellent photographs and listing, did several viewings and sold the house STC within three days. They communicated at least weekly, whilst the sale was in progress and were professional.

I’ve often seen people asking for recommendations for agents, but I think it’s really an individual thing. I think there may be a reason some agents feature more on FB recommendations.

Congratulations on your sale stc - thanks for the advice. There is another local one with a shop in town I know sell a lots round here I’m going to get round. Its a good point about fb recommendations could be friends and family trying to help someone boost their business.

Another vote for bricks and mortar EA. I bought and sold my house through the same agent. They knew a family who was searching for a property snd we sold before even having photos done. That is what local agents are good for.

Thanks for all the replies. My main question was concern & seeming inflexibility over the communication platform wanting to be used but this thread has opened up so many other things to think about. Interestingly the thing that appealed to me was her method - doing legal packs upfront etc which I love the concept of and in theory would lead to a faster completion time. Never the less it does raise questions how fast do you get an offer if you rely mainly on social media and contacts.

having checked properties on their website I can see a number of properties have been on the market since spring this year which doesn’t stack up with a fast sale guarantee.

above everything I need someone who can work with me not dictate how we communicate and whether something can be emailed or not. It feels ridiculous even typing this! Thank you

I suspect that there are plenty of friends and family recommendations on FB, just as there are for hairdressers, tradesmen, mechanics etc. Some must be genuine, but the ones we saw that were most recommended were useless and we sacked them. I’m sure others will have a different experience.