Estate agent who wont show you the house
Discussion
I saw a house these people had for sale but when I went to the web site seems they want a DNA test to tell me the price. Complete BS or a niche market for the rich?
I quote:
The Bureau does not use for sale boards, we do not use mailing lists and we do not publish brochures or detailed particulars. Nor will you find virtual tours, interior photographs, floor plans or precise locations on our website or in our property portal listings.
Because we understand that personal privacy, security and confidentiality are critically important to our clients, we only disclose the price and details of a property to purchasers who have registered with us and who are likely to have a genuine interest in buying it. We also now require registered purchasers to provide proof of identity and confirmation of available funds.
While some purchasers may feel that this seems excessively secretive and protective, it is precisely because we take this level of care that we are asked to sell so many of the finest properties in the North West and are able to offer our registered purchasers exclusive access to these properties, many of which are not known to be on the market.
Similarly, we aim to provide a personal and confidential service to our registered purchasers. By taking the time to identify individual properties that are likely to be of genuine interest to you, we can ensure that no time is wasted in discussing or viewing unsuitable properties.
http://www.countryhousesbureau.co.uk/howwework.htm
I quote:
The Bureau does not use for sale boards, we do not use mailing lists and we do not publish brochures or detailed particulars. Nor will you find virtual tours, interior photographs, floor plans or precise locations on our website or in our property portal listings.
Because we understand that personal privacy, security and confidentiality are critically important to our clients, we only disclose the price and details of a property to purchasers who have registered with us and who are likely to have a genuine interest in buying it. We also now require registered purchasers to provide proof of identity and confirmation of available funds.
While some purchasers may feel that this seems excessively secretive and protective, it is precisely because we take this level of care that we are asked to sell so many of the finest properties in the North West and are able to offer our registered purchasers exclusive access to these properties, many of which are not known to be on the market.
Similarly, we aim to provide a personal and confidential service to our registered purchasers. By taking the time to identify individual properties that are likely to be of genuine interest to you, we can ensure that no time is wasted in discussing or viewing unsuitable properties.
http://www.countryhousesbureau.co.uk/howwework.htm
Sounds reasonable - I imagine there are a lot of dreamers and people that like being nosey.
If you were selling a £xm+ house would you wouldn't like time-wasters; if you were selling a £100,000 house you wouldn't like time-wasters!!
At the higher level the agents have more incentive to weed them out and there are fewer people that can afford them which makes it easier.
If you were selling a £xm+ house would you wouldn't like time-wasters; if you were selling a £100,000 house you wouldn't like time-wasters!!
At the higher level the agents have more incentive to weed them out and there are fewer people that can afford them which makes it easier.
Edited by 911DM on Thursday 10th December 20:08
Four Cofffee said:
We also now require registered purchasers to provide proof of identity and confirmation of available funds.
Given that a great many people will be looking at mortgage finance in their "average" house price of £2mill, I wonder what they consider to be confirmation of available funds? Why don't you simply register with them? If you aren't interested or don't have the money to spend £2mm on a house then why do you want to know the price or see a picture. I'm sure if you register and show genuine interest then they will show you some info before you actually visit a property.
Niche market. 50% of the properties we buy for clients never reach the market. Its how we justify our fees, opening doors which can't otherwise be opened. As said above the agent is there to protect their clients interests, a lot of houses may not come to the open market for a variety of reasons, it may be a well known, or famous vendor and the sale of the property may spark unfounded marriage breakup rumours, there are a whole miriad of reasons and the agent is well within their rights to ask for such information before disclosing the location/details of the property. If the house is of genuine interest then register with them and see what they say. Alternatively register with a buying agent, they will ask for the same information, but then you will only need to show it the once and the buying agent does the rest for you.
Four Cofffee said:
Their website breaks the law - no registered address details etc.It looks like a "kitchen-table" business.
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