Strange behaviour for an eastate agent?

[NitroNick]

I'm currently in the process of buying a property with my grilfriend.
The estate agent we are dealing with seems very odd, she has told us on several occasions that the vendor is in serious trouble with the banks and needs to sell as soon as possible, she has also told us that the house has been on the market for over a year and that we are the only ones to have shown any interest in it.
Surely this is a stupid thing to do as we now know he'll bite our hands off if we give him a half sensible offer.
Is this not a serious betrayal of her clients trust? Won't she get less commission if we pay less?
If I was the vendor I'd be pissed!

[Simpo Two]

When you see Kirsty Fatbum on Location x3 she always seems to know how long each place has been on the market - perhaps it's something the agent has to divulge if asked?

[V8mate]

So give him a half sensible offer and stop worrying about the moral failings of estate agents.

[jas xjr]

depends on how the commission is structured ,could be a flat fee. or she might be trying to get the house sold before it is repossessed. anyway dont like estate agents but this one seems to be trying to help you

[okgo]

Estate agent goes against the general code of practice to get a sale. And birds go tweet, sir.

[Nolar Dog]

okgo said:

Estate agent goes against the general code of practice to get a sale. And birds go tweet, sir.

Which is exactly what I was saying last week and got scathing comments for it.

[okgo]

Nolar Dog said:

okgo said:

Estate agent goes against the general code of practice to get a sale. And birds go tweet, sir.

Which is exactly what I was saying last week and got scathing comments for it.

No idea. What you were doing was somewhat different to this, and more devious and not legal, let alone morally incorrect. I don't belive the above is against any law. And I used to do it all the time.

[NitroNick]

okgo said:

Estate agent goes against the general code of practice to get a sale. And birds go tweet, sir.

I've dealt with several estate agents over the past decade, most play the "you better hurry cos' I've 8 billion people gagging to get this house"
I guess its a diffrent market now.
We're actually putting in an offer this week and its less than half what the vendor has the house advertised at. I guess we'll see how desperate he is. (we were willing to pay the full asking price)

[okgo]

NitroNick said:

okgo said:

Estate agent goes against the general code of practice to get a sale. And birds go tweet, sir.

I've dealt with several estate agents over the past decade, most play the "you better hurry cos' I've 8 billion people gagging to get this house"
I guess its a diffrent market now.
We're actually putting in an offer this week and its less than half what the vendor has the house advertised at. I guess we'll see how desperate he is. (we were willing to pay the full asking price)

As said above, she may be on a flat comission etc, and just want to get it gone. Or they realise they are flogging a dead dog and trying to 'market chat' the client (as foxtons put it) into thinking there is a buzz around it is futile.

[Nolar Dog]

okgo said:

Nolar Dog said:

okgo said:

Estate agent goes against the general code of practice to get a sale. And birds go tweet, sir.

Which is exactly what I was saying last week and got scathing comments for it.

No idea. What you were doing was somewhat different to this, and more devious and not legal, let alone morally incorrect. I don't belive the above is against any law. And I used to do it all the time.

Ah I see. Oh well.

[anonymous-user]

Estate agents have bills to pay too, if they're struggling they'll want to do or say whatever they can to get a sale, if telling you the vendor is struggling gets you interested and gets an offer on the table then they'll do it.

[Busamav]

They run with the hounds and the foxes and will tell you whatever they think you want to hear .

Unless of course you are "bunging" them a monthly sweetener.

[Soir]

Estate agent just wants to sell it. Better to have 1% (or whatever) of X amount than 1% of nothing if not sold.

I'd be greatful they have given you a clear picture of the situation

[Engineer1]

She may be hinting that there is flexibility in the price to a point but also that the house is on a deadline the bank will be wanting its money. So an offer close to the debt with a cash buyer who can move quick is in a great position.

[bonsai]

NitroNick said:

We're actually putting in an offer this week and its less than half what the vendor has the house advertised at.

Please report back on how this goes for you.

[sleep envy]

NitroNick said:

Is this not a serious betrayal of her clients trust? Won't she get less commission if we pay less?
If I was the vendor I'd be pissed!

what do you care?

you're buying a house cheaper than it's up for sale

[davidjpowell]

Equally the vendor may be pleased that their agent is dealing the urgency of their situation and trying to drive a sale forward.

You do not know what they have instructed their agent to do, and your time is better spent on things which benefit you.