Estate Agents not letting us put in an offer?

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Hi all. We have no experience with dealing with estate agents so I was hoping someone would be able to advise on the below!

We really want to put in an offer on a property. It’s listed on Rightmove (and has been for 5 weeks), and is a £900,000 house on a street full of £2m+ properties. The area is full of elderly people in average properties that are then typically snapped up by developers and resold for insane amounts.

I initially rang hoping to view the property after it has been on the market for 2 weeks. I was told that there are to be no more viewings as the seller has accepted an offer in principle, but was waiting for them to sell their own house. End of call.

I rang back a week later and asked about the house again as it was still on RightMove. I was told that it was still on Right Move as it hadn’t sold as the seller was waiting for the buyers own house to sell. I asked if I could view as I may want to put an offer in too and was told no as the buyer had accepted the sellers offer (then surely it should be taken off of Right Move?).

A couple of weeks on and the house is still available to view. I rang off of another number and was told the same story again.

Can anyone shed any light onto this? Surely if the sellers are waiting on the buyers to sell, then they may still be interested in receiving new (potentially higher) offers? I can’t help but think something dodgy is going on by the estate agents as the house is such a bargain in a very desirable area.

I’m sure OP realises this is bad advice.

You could try knocking on the neighbours' doors to ask if they have a contact number for the owners - it could be that one of them is keeping an eye on it for them if the house is empty.

…..the seller has decided what they want to do.

It’s just not you want to do, so you decided it’s wrong.

I would absolutely put a note through with your contact number and email. I'd also speak to the neighbours and ask if they could pass your contact details on. I'd consider contacting the ombudsman, too.

A family friends house was on the market longer than it should have been and the only offer on the table was below average for the same sized property on the estate. Houses on our estte usually sell quickly. The offer was placed by the estate agents cousin. We only found out by chance as a potential buyer knocked on our door asking what it was like to live on the estate and that they had no joy getting a viewing. I said I knew the owners and would pass on their number if they liked. The estate agent was not taking viewings unbeknown to the seller. The house was sold and I received flowers and chocolates from the sellers and our new neighbours opposite.

OP has said that it’s big new builds either side (bit weird as she previously said this was a £900k house on a road of £2m houses)

But if anyone knocked on my door about my neighbour’s house, I would direct them to contact the EA listed on the For Sale board or on rightmove!

What other course of reasonable action would you suggest?

Listen to what the estate agent said?

. I'd consider contacting the ombudsman, too.

I doubt OP has any standing with the ombudsman (not sure which one would apply). She isn’t the client. The vendors may have a case if the EA is acting against the law and against their instructions. But can’t see how the OP would have a case.

These are new builds selling for circa £2.8m.

I’d suggest ignoring your advice.

You said that previously, I'm asking what advice you have to give on the matter?

This comment should be pinned to the top

Quite a few people saying to just listen to the EA and not question anything they’re saying. Do you never use any critical thinking skills or question if what somebody is telling you is the truth and always accept everything blindly at face value?

Ahhhhh. So when you said this house was underpriced compared to the rest of the road, you meant that this was one of the few undeveloped properties on the road.

It is quite possible, if there is a deal with a developer, that the vendor is aware which is why they have stopped viewings offers.

The offer may include uplifts on completion and sale of the development that are quite common in such circumstances or non cash alternatives, again, not uncommon.

In which case, maybe no offer you could make would match it.

Put your offer in writing email to the EA and ask them to reply via email.

Meanwhile I would post mail to the house itself date the note and ex0lain the situation .

I think its total bullshit and the EA is pulling a fast one.

I'd also be inclined to knock on a few neighbours houses have a chat and see if they know the neighbours or next of kin and leave your details

Sorry, yes. It’s one of the few left that have been undeveloped. It’s in great condition though and we wouldn’t be looking to turn it into a £2m mansion!

Not at all.

You seem convinced that they are lying to you. I acknowledge that they might be.

But there are perfectly legitimate explanations for how they are acting which do not involve them being liars but acting on their client’s instructions. I think this is more likely.

See how it is possible for me to disagree with you without insulting you…

Do you ever listen?

No, but clearly you don't have any input here - they have given a plausible explanation, you don't know who the vendor is, so can't contact them, you can't access the estate agents files, so can't prove a conspiracy (if one exists).

They might be lying through their teeth, the vendor may be in on it (in which case its not illegal) or they may be telling you the truth.

Whichever way you slice it - there is literally nothing you can do, they don't want your custom at the moment, for whatever reason.

It's not eccentric to want a loved home to be passed onto someone whose just joining the market dot them to start a life there. If it was MN wouldn't be flooded with people suggesting that people wrote personal letters to sellers when they are putting in offers. Not everyone is out to get the most money when selling.

I did say many won't agree and that's totally fine. It was just to show that the sellers can do as they please.

There's been plenty of opinions, experiences and advice shared. I'm sure OP will either move on or take up the advise to call the EA again/put a note through the door.

I could be wrong, but I believe if you make an offer, the estate agent is legally obliged to put that offer and circumstances to the seller. I know you’d ideally like to view it, but if you’re being effectively blocked from doing that and you’re happy with what you can view if the house from photographs, particulars and what you can see externally - then make an above asking price offer, in writing to the estate agent and see what happens 🤷🏼‍♀️

Of course they may be telling the truth. But if they were, I would guess that they’d explain slightly more on the phone (eg. “They’ve accepted an offer that they’re happy with and it’s no longer for sale, it’s still on our website incase the sale falls through”). Instead they’re wording things strangely (“they’ve accepted an offer so no more viewings”, “ok, so it’s sold? How come it’s still showing as available online?”, “because the buyers have to sell their own house first”, “so the sellers are still open to other offers as their current offer isn’t proceedable?”, “no it’s unavailable”, “so it’s no longer for sale?”, “well technically no as the buyer isn’t proceedable” etc.).

You asked for advice and posters have given it. Are you always so rude when people disagree with you?

Well yeah, some of us figured that out pages ago.