What are your strategies when trying to buy a house?

[MyUserName]

Anyone done this - is it common or a total no-no?

Normally the agent will have told them you will try this and not to speak to you directly as they can get a better deal etc.

[d000hg]

You're right I would expect the agent to warn them not to speak to people direct as it reduces their ability to control the situation. It probably depends how much they trust the agent VS view them as a necessary evil!

I guess it cannot hurt to ask if they would discuss, the agent is (I assume) not going to stop talking to us because they just want their money.


What I WANT to do offer £X if they have no better offer, OR £1k more than any offer they receive up to £X+N, but I guess things don't work this way

[northernladuk]

You're right I would expect the agent to warn them not to speak to people direct as it reduces their ability to control the situation. It probably depends how much they trust the agent VS view them as a necessary evil!

I guess it cannot hurt to ask if they would discuss, the agent is (I assume) not going to stop talking to us because they just want their money.


What I WANT to do offer £X if they have no better offer, OR £1k more than any offer they receive up to £X+N, but I guess things don't work this way

I would be straight round knocking on their door IMO. The last house I bought I knew the seller was desperate to go, he had use 10 months of a 12 month relocation package and only had furniture in his bedroom and kitchen so had virtually moved out. I put 2 offers in, both refused. I went round to see him and ask why he had refused my offers and he said he never had them. Agent had refused on his behalf. We did the deal there and then and he was pleased as punch.

Sometimes the agent is the problem not the solution. I don't see why a bit of face to face business wouldn't go amiss but there is the chance the buyer may not be too pleased.