I would like some opinions here as I feel something shifty may have gone on.
Found a great property at a good price, 1/2 acre in good location, advertised at 400+. The pressure was on to make offers. Viewed it on Friday night and said that we would be making an offer on Saturday following an inspection.
Viewed it on Saturday, was told that 430K would buy it. We offered 435 but wanted a conditional (pest inspection) offer. Asked to put the offer in writing and the agent stated that he trusted us but hadn't brought any paperwork with him and was off to another property for an inspection.
Thought about it more and contacted him a few hours later deciding that we would make a higher offer with a short expiry as we really didn't want to miss out, the property had too much potential. I stated that we wanted to make another offer but we wanted it in writing. He then dallied around and said that he would contact the vendors and then call us back in half an hour to arrange the written offer.
1 1/2 hours went by and he finally rang whilst we were in the car, 10 minutes away from home. We told him we would call him straight back in 10 min and he said that was no problem. Rang straight back and continued calling him all night and low and behold his mobile was diverted to message bank. We left messages, called his home number spoke with his wife left more messages etc. He then called us at 9pm that night to say that the property had been sold, wouldn't disclose the price.
This whole business seemed very shifty to me. The property was advertised only in the local paper, not on any internet sites except his own. He was a sole agent with his own agency who lived in the local area but worked elsewhere. The vendors were elderly and moving into a retirement village and had lived in the property for 42 years.
What do others think, is this normal practice??
Found a great property at a good price, 1/2 acre in good location, advertised at 400+. The pressure was on to make offers. Viewed it on Friday night and said that we would be making an offer on Saturday following an inspection.
Viewed it on Saturday, was told that 430K would buy it. We offered 435 but wanted a conditional (pest inspection) offer. Asked to put the offer in writing and the agent stated that he trusted us but hadn't brought any paperwork with him and was off to another property for an inspection.
Thought about it more and contacted him a few hours later deciding that we would make a higher offer with a short expiry as we really didn't want to miss out, the property had too much potential. I stated that we wanted to make another offer but we wanted it in writing. He then dallied around and said that he would contact the vendors and then call us back in half an hour to arrange the written offer.
1 1/2 hours went by and he finally rang whilst we were in the car, 10 minutes away from home. We told him we would call him straight back in 10 min and he said that was no problem. Rang straight back and continued calling him all night and low and behold his mobile was diverted to message bank. We left messages, called his home number spoke with his wife left more messages etc. He then called us at 9pm that night to say that the property had been sold, wouldn't disclose the price.
This whole business seemed very shifty to me. The property was advertised only in the local paper, not on any internet sites except his own. He was a sole agent with his own agency who lived in the local area but worked elsewhere. The vendors were elderly and moving into a retirement village and had lived in the property for 42 years.
What do others think, is this normal practice??
