Estate agent and probate situation

[Fayaway]

My partner's father died in April. He lived the family home which he had owned since the 1960s. DP and his brother are named in the will, the executor is a local solicitor who DP's dad lodged his will with about 10 years ago. DP was instructed to get two valuations for probate. One agent is "cheeky chappie" type known to all in the local town, he has been hounding DP with people who are ready to "bite his hand off". He has now been hassling the solicitor. The other has been more restrained and not contacted DP since the valuation. Probate is ongoing and likely to be at least four more months.
DP contacted second agent last week as agent had a contact for some maintenance. Agent said he had a proposition - a very interested and motivated potential purchaser who had sold but missed out on a similar property (needs full modernisation). He described her as very capable and knowledgeable with family in the trades. He suggested they offer a one-off viewing at a non-negotiable price, bearing in mind probate is ongoing. DP and brother thought about it over the weekend and decided they may as well offer that viewing. Agent said he'd draw up a contract, DP told him if this woman wasn't interested, they wanted to wait until probate was granted to put the open market. DP called today as the one-off contract hadn't materialised. Agent explained that the woman was now sorted but he had another man who was interested so he'd draw up a contract for him. DP agreed at the time and the contract arrived by email almost immediately! I felt that something was off if agent had taken nearly three days to get back to DP about agreed viewing but had obviously already spoken to second guy, who by contrast the agent mentioned very little about. DP decided that they would not go ahead now and wait for probate as he'd explained before.
So my question is - was this a genuine situation or another estate agent ruse? DP is already fed up with the relentless hassling by first agent but originally thought second agent seemed fairer and more restrained. Of course there are other agents out there when the time comes.

Estate agents are scammers - this is just a perfect example of one of their scams

Yes sounds dodgy - don’t use them

They both sound dodgy. I'd give them both a wide berth and get in two others and go with the one who seems to be talking less crap/is less prone to making sweeping, bold statements about what they can do for you and how much demand they anticipate with their tapestry long scroll of clients actively looking.

Fyi, it's quite normal for houses to go on the market before probate has been granted. It's unethical not to let people know - so you could get round that by putting 'probate applied for 01/05/2025 on the advert.'

It's all a bit mute isn't it?
If neither your partner or his brother are executors I'm thinking they aren't legally authorised to manage the sale of the property. Shouldn't the executor manage these things?

The executor has asked the brothers to choose an estate agent, they will handle the rest.

It’s likely to take up to a year before probate is complete of doing it via a solicitor. I suggest your DP just contacts a reputable well known EA as soon as Probate comes through.

Seems like they've gone a bit further than just selecting an estate agent, what are the contracts for? It seems from your comment there's a contract for each viewing, which I've personally never heard of.

If the solicitor is handling the sale then your partner has the perfect excuse to not dealing with the agent anyhoo, by just referring everything to the solicitor.

There was going to be a one-off contract for a potential purchaser that was agreed between agent, executor and the brothers. The agent then changed the person, with no agreement, which made them think the original was a load of old flannel.
Funnily enough, DP referred pushy agent to solicitor and now agent is calling them every day instead!
I really wish there was another way of valuing property for probate which didn’t involve estate agents (I know it’s their specialty but I’m thinking more like land registry data?) DP is happy to wait for probate to run its course but so many people know it’s sitting empty now because both agents keep telling people.

OP, your partner and his brother are the ones in charge not the agents. They need to stop engaging with the estate agents, end of.
All the solicitor wanted was the likely value of the property, for probate purposes.
When you are closer or indeed, when probate has been granted, you then pick an agent to put it on with. You don't, whatever they offer, agree to any quick sale agreements.