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When you make an offer on a property, estate agents will usually ask for an agreement in principle and evidence your deposit and ID to prove you are in a “proceedable” position.
They may also try to sell you additional products and services, like their in-house mortgage advisor however this is not something that you have to do.
Should I Use An Estate Agents Mortgage Advisor?
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Some homebuyers are also reluctant to hand over their financial details to an estate agent. They are worried that the vendor might find out what a strong financial position they are in and end up paying too much for the property.
Obviously, the estate agents earn extra commission from you when you use their additional services, and some might intimate that you may lose the property if you don’t use their mortgage advisor but that is not the case.
Thankfully many first time buyers and home movers are savvy enough to recognise these tactics and won’t be intimidated.
A List of Tactics Used by Estate Agents
Here are some of the tactics to look out for:
- A buyer’s financial incentive if you use both in-house mortgage and conveyancing services. If something sounds too good to be true it usually is! Please always think to yourself, where is this money coming from?
- The estate agent saying they are not putting your offer forward to the vendor if you have not taken in-house mortgage advice. This is an illegal practice.
- Quoting extortionate solicitor’s fees for a straightforward purchase.
- Some estate agents may initiate that their vendor would prefer you to arrange our mortgage in-house. This won’t be true – all the Vendor cares about is that you are in a financial position to proceed.
Our mortgage advisors can help you obtain an agreement in principle and guide you through the home buying process so it’s always best to get in touch as soon as you find a property that you want to make an offer on so we can help and give you open and honest mortgage advice.
