Estate Agents don't seem to want to sell us a house

[Gilberte]

Ok I know they act on behalf of the seller and I'm slightly paranoid because we've made lots of offers and still not got a house yet.
The thing is we aren't in a chain and have a mortgage offer and even when our offers are rejected or beaten by a higher bidder no estate agent seems to be suggesting other properties we might consider.

I suppose this means it's a seller's market where I live at the moment.

What makes it even more annoying is when we've offered full asking price and been matched by another buyer, the other buyer has been chosen because "they were in a better position" but estate agents haven't elaborated. What's a better position than being local, able to move at any time and no chain- a cash buyer I suppose so why don't you say.

We are also being shown around houses and then told "well actually he only wants to sell when one of those new properties has been built in about two year's time"

We just feel we are being messed around and used to start bidding wars but for some reason no one seems to want our business.

Has anyone who has experience of this got any advice as to why no one seems to be taking us seriously or are we just trying to buy at an unfortunate time- presumably a year ago people would have been biting our hands off.

[cooper44]

How much deposit do you have? I know when I bought the amount I had to put down in cash swung it for me (or at least I think it did reading between the hazy EA lines).
I guess also there is a lack of property on the market - our local agents are desperate for properties to sell.
Or you may have just met a few awful agents???
Can you just ask them?
And as for the one who said the vendor didn't want to sell for a couple of years - what on earth is that about? Don't waste everyone's time then!

[Gilberte]

We have a good deposit but stressing that is a good idea- hadn't thought of that as that will ensure we won't pull out after exchange of contracts won't it?

One of the agents we are with is pretty awful and always has to be chased as he never gets back to us after we've put an offer in- we always have to phone him.

"And as for the one who said the vendor didn't want to sell for a couple of years - what on earth is that about? Don't waste everyone's time then!"

I know I think he put the house onmarket to see what he could get but wasn't in a hurry to move. (He might have moved elsewhere perhaps if he's got an offer way above asking price) They should have told us at the outset though.

Thanks for your advice

[pettyprudence]

is worked in letting for 10+ years so got a bit of a shock dealing with estate agents - every single one was shit! i found my house with the only agent i didn't register with - i just called and booked a viewing and said no more. they did mess up 3 appts but im now in that house.
i was looking in an area with an abundance of houses, ftb and the lack of enthusiasm or even interest from agents was shocking. i ended up stalking rightmove

[flow4]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but why is a large cash deposit a good thing? I have one, but have never thought to mention it...

[littlecrystal]

I think this is probably no more than appalling work ethics of some EAs. Once I booked to view a house. Waited for EA to show up for 30 mins (in rain) and then left. EA called and apologize and said we will call you next week to rearrange. I have never heard from them and the house is still on the market ? I would be appalled at such ?efforts? to sell if I was the owner.
By the way standing on the road for 30 mins was enough to put me off that house :)

[cooper44]

Flow - if you have a big deposit you are in a much stronger position there's less chance of your mortgage offer being turned down etc. I've always told agents how much deposit I've got probably before anything else. That and no chain make you a more attractive option. At least I think that's the case.

[emsyj]

The deposit you pay on exchange is fixed in the sale contract - standard form is 10% although you can change it if you want to (e.g. to 5%). Just because you're putting down more for the mortgage lender, doesn't mean you pay a higher deposit to the seller on exchange, so it shouldn't make you as a buyer less likely to pull out OP. The 10% would be paid on exchange and the rest would form part of the completion funds along with the money from the mortgage lender.

(Sorry bit boring but wanted to clear that up).

[Gilberte]

Ah thanks all- good news is we've just had an offer accepted at last! Fingers crossed it goes through ok. It felt like we had to do all the chasing round though!

I knew EA had a bad rep and now I know why.

[flow4]

Fingers crossed for you Gilberte. :)

[Rosesandlemons]

As others have said, a sizeable deposit will work in your favour. It's about proving how serious/ creditable you are as a buyer.