When I started out in estate agency 25 years ago, working for a corporate brand, one of the first things I was told was “Buyers are Liars”.
A tad harsh, I thought. Let’s face it, most of us have been buyers at some point and I’m sure the majority of us will be of the opinion “I didn’t lie!”
However, what might be considered a ‘little white lie’ to someone to obtain a viewing of a property, is still a lie to the agent and ultimately the seller.
What is the point? Because if you really are interested in the property, you are going to have to come clean or, the agent will find you out and, then you are negotiating from a position of distrust. Furthermore, if you are not interested in the property you have lied to view, you had better hope that the next property you are interested in, is not with the same agent, as they already know you are a liar.
Another thing some buyers do that ‘boils the blood’ is having a viewing of a property and then not providing any feedback to the agent on your level of interest.
Our agency tries 3 times via telephone to obtain feedback, as well as sending automatic email requests via our software system. We can’t do more than that as it could be construed as harassment.
If we can’t obtain feedback our sellers miss out on what could be helpful information and, they also sometimes wonder whether we are really trying.
The most unbelievable part is that a high percentage of buyers are also selling their own homes. So, they must surely know what it feels like themselves.
When sellers prepare their home for a viewing, often changing plans to accommodate a viewing and/or the agent takes time out of the diary and people don’t respond – it’s just rude.
Since Lockdown this situation has become worse, far worse and has increased stress for sellers and agents.
We have to try and eliminate this problem, so going forward, if you are asked more intrusive questions before we will ask our sellers to accept a viewing, then buyers will hopefully understand why.