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So, house is on the market with company A. Today, I've been contacted by company B who claim to have someone interested in our house and they will introduce them for a small fee (£1500 plus vat, if they buy it)
Given that the only way this person could have found out about our property is by looking on rightmove or driving up this small quiet cul-de-sac speculatively.
So, do people really tie themselves into one estate agent like this? Why doesn't the guy just contact company A via rightmove?
What is company B playing at? I've never come across this before, has anyone else?
Ignore them.
If company B is cheaper than A, then what do you care, unless you are contracted to pay A even if they don't sell your house.
Ask if person B is in a position to move too, and if they are selling their house
What Drac says
Why would a buyer go to the wrong estate agent, tell them they want your house and then ask them to sort if for them?
its like walking into the Trek shop and asking them to get you a Specialized
Company A have been paid their marketing fee, they don't charge a commission.
This mystery buyer is allegedly a first time buyer that company B have approved a mortgage for.
If I go this route, I'd obviously increase what I'd sell the house for to this person to cover the additional fee. But that could be enough of an increase to make the buyer walk away.
I bet they're looked by to charge the buyer a fee as well.
House selling is nuts isn't it!
A lot of agents will have a clause in the contract that if you sell via another route, you'd still owe THEM money. However, as you've paid a one off fee, it may not count.
I'd say "yeah, get the buyer to come round" and see what pans out.
DrP
Or person has a mate who works for Company B. You sell through Company B for less than Company A could get for the house. The buyer gets a cheaper house, his mate at Company B gets commission, you end up being stung for a couple of £K.
All estate agents need to be shot in their genitals just for good measure. Scum the lot of them. [\rant-over]
Or company B is just a front for company A so they get a commission
What Drac says, ignore them. If they do have a buyer soon enough that person will see your property advertised and approach your contracted / chosen agent.
Tell them to add the fee to the asking price and fill their boots, if it sells they get paid. Everyone's a winner.
Sounds like a scam to me.
Or tell them due to the flood of interest, the asking price is now £5k more...
DrP
On the other hand, Company B could have been instructed to "Go find me houses that have x, y, and zed characteristics" and yours fits the bill. I've done this with both estate agents and car dealers where I've found one I trust. The estate agents will look at properties on their own books first, but then go out to the market to see what there is.
But the relevant question, as with any buyer is, "What's their position? Have they sold, and can they proceed?" Get that in writing 🙂
OP, you are being scammed.
Ignore.
Even if it wasn't a scam, company A would be (successfully) pursuing you for their commission on any sale as they can argue that their for sale board or their ad on rightmove directed the other buyer to you.
But yes, it's a scam.
Just don't accept PPG and you'll be fine...
DrP
PPG?
I also recommend you just ignore them.
If they really wanted the house, they would use the estate agent you are selling with.
The End 🙂
PPG?
PayPal Gift...
PPG, should have known.
On the other hand, Company B could have been instructed to "Go find me houses that have x, y, and zed characteristics" and yours fits the bill. I've done this with both estate agents and car dealers where I've found one I trust. The estate agents will look at properties on their own books first, but then go out to the market to see what there is.
Fair enough but in that case the Agent B is acting for the buyer and should be paid by the buyer. B's duty of care (an odd concept for most estate agents i know) is to the buyer and not you - the seller.
Agent B is bored and trying it on. This sort of thing is quite normal in big commercial deals but not resi. Really you should just tell B to sod off and wait for the applicant to spot it in A's website / window.
Or.... tell B to get his fee from A - agents splitting their fee to get a result but you shouldn't pay any extra and you should be wary of who B is really acting for.
It does smack of "who the ****s working for who here".
Estate agents as I've found with our recent projects really do **** all for their money these days.
If you are playing poker and you don't know who the sucker at the table is it's you. There is no way you need to be paying agent B . You need your sale price to go up to cover A and B 's fees if this is to go ahead.
Tell them to add the fee to the asking price and fill their boots, if it sells they get paid. Everyone's a winner.
It's as simple as this.
You can't lose out if you tell them this.
Asking price+ fee only, no haggling.
What martinhutch said.
As already said, why the hell would a 'buyer' see your house and then go to another estate agents to try an buy it? Company B are trying it on and would ask you to formally dismiss company A so they could get all the commission.
Ignore them.