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Original poster

Has anyone bought a house through Springbok Properties

18 replies

Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 12:50

As the title states really….
i have found a house that I am totally in love with! Which is a rarity as I haven’t yet had that ‘feeling’ when you walk into one until now!
The seller previously had sold the house but the buyer pulled out at the last minute and so now, to prevent this, it has been relisted with Springbok Properties. If I put an offer in that is accepted I then need to pay a £2.5k holding deposit to show that I am serious about purchasing etc. I am happy to do this as I want the house….but this isn’t normal practise I know! I just wondered if anyone else has used springbok and what their experience with them has been like?

OP posts:
Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 16:56

I have seen this but have then looked at the bad reviews 😂🤦‍♀️…I suppose you find what you are looking for don’t you 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:05

Avoid!!! They were the EAs for our current property. They refused to let me view it initially because we weren’t far enough along the sale process on our flat . Very rude . Then the price went down. Tried again. Still no. So I went straight to the owner who went ballistic and they relented. Put in an offer and then they tried the same thing … asked for a percentage to take it off the market. Told them to get stuffed, contacted the owner who went ballistic again. Currently living in said property having bought it for 40 grand less than market value! Knobs

Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 17:08

This is so worrying…yet so gut wrenching as this is 100% the property that I want!! How is there possibly a way around it 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 17:10

Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:05

Avoid!!! They were the EAs for our current property. They refused to let me view it initially because we weren’t far enough along the sale process on our flat . Very rude . Then the price went down. Tried again. Still no. So I went straight to the owner who went ballistic and they relented. Put in an offer and then they tried the same thing … asked for a percentage to take it off the market. Told them to get stuffed, contacted the owner who went ballistic again. Currently living in said property having bought it for 40 grand less than market value! Knobs

Edited

i visited the property today and had a discussion with the seller as I am currently waiting for a divorce settlement..literally consent order was filed on the 8th so we are waiting possibly 4-6 weeks but as yet I don’t have the cash in the bank! Im assuming from what you’re saying that they won’t allow me to proceed anyway as I don’t have the cash available immediately, even though the seller has agreed that they will wait for me!

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:24

I’d see if your seller is willing to get involved on your behalf. That’s what happened for us. Ultimately they are not going to want to lose the sale but they will argue that it was in the contract the vendor signed . Worth a try!

Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 17:30

Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:24

I’d see if your seller is willing to get involved on your behalf. That’s what happened for us. Ultimately they are not going to want to lose the sale but they will argue that it was in the contract the vendor signed . Worth a try!

Do you think I should just steer clear full stop? I’m on my own and it all feels a little bit iffy! Terrified I’ll end up losing the £2.5k and a whole lot more!

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:50

I wouldn’t part with the money upfront. As you say, this is not the normal process and it’s a hassle you don’t need . But I think it’s worth explaining to the vendor how much you want the property but you can’t pay the upfront fee etc and is there anything they can do. They may well tell you to get lost, but presumably they are keen to sell too.

Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 17:53

Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:50

I wouldn’t part with the money upfront. As you say, this is not the normal process and it’s a hassle you don’t need . But I think it’s worth explaining to the vendor how much you want the property but you can’t pay the upfront fee etc and is there anything they can do. They may well tell you to get lost, but presumably they are keen to sell too.

I would even be willing to pay the asking price plus the extra £2.5k to them!!! (£172500)
something just feels very off to me with them! I’ve got a very limited pot and I just can’t afford to get trapped into something where costs mount up!

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:59

Is not extra though… it’s a down payment. But this is t necessary and I think it’s sharp practice. Up to you but I do not like dealing with companies once I know they don’t share my values. I would have walked away from my purchase but for the fact that the vendor intervened.

Arsed · 10/08/2025 18:00

Bought through them and it was seamless.

Was 8 years ago though!

Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 18:01

Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 17:59

Is not extra though… it’s a down payment. But this is t necessary and I think it’s sharp practice. Up to you but I do not like dealing with companies once I know they don’t share my values. I would have walked away from my purchase but for the fact that the vendor intervened.

This is true and the idea of it I’m quite happy with and understand the reasoning behind it from the sellers point of view. I’ll speak to the sellers and see what they say tomorrow! Thankyou for your advice it’s much appreciated x

OP posts:
Sidebeforeself · 10/08/2025 18:17

Good luck!

Clare01974 · 23/09/2025 23:05

I’d love to know what the outcome was for this as I am in exactly the same position right now. Hope it ahh worked out for you…
We’ve found a house that we love but dubious about this 2.5k deposit. As if the buyer of our house pulls out for any reason we will probably end up losing our deposit. It’s a weird thing to expect a buyer to do. And the £360 admin cost (that’s none refundable).

Aliunknown · 19/01/2026 08:57

I am in same situation, what was the outcome of this sale? Did it happen or was it a scam?

Original poster
Needtorelax1 · 19/01/2026 12:39

Hi lovely, I backed out, it all just sounded too sinister. My solicitor eventually said that company’s like this shouldn’t be allowed to trade so that was enough for me xx

OP posts:
Infamouselk · 20/01/2026 21:51

Do you mind me asking why it sounded sinister or why you pulled out? We are in the process of buying a property we love with them, what’s the worst that could happen to us providing we/solicitors checked everything was a-okay before any money was sent?

Doris86 · 21/01/2026 08:12

Needtorelax1 · 10/08/2025 17:08

This is so worrying…yet so gut wrenching as this is 100% the property that I want!! How is there possibly a way around it 🤷‍♀️

Do as the previous poster did. Put a note through the door to the owner telling them
what the EA is up to.

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