Buying a home can be an incredibly stressful time, and the process can be even more daunting when dealing with estate agents who seem more keen on closing the deal than finding you the perfect home.
Luckily, Zara O’Hare, a property expert at Land of Rugs, has shared the seven tricks estate agents use that you should “watch out for”.
1. They try to sell you the location
Estate agents often focus on location as the most important thing when selling you a home.
Whilst this is an important aspect for many people, buying a home just because you like the area can lead to regrets.
Zara suggested letting the professional know that you want to find the perfect home first.
2. They create a fear of missing out
Zara said: “Estate agents may stress limited availability, emphasise high demand from other buyers, or suggest that prices will soon soar to create a sense of urgency and a fear of missing out.”
The property expert warned Britons that this may lead to a rushed decision and regrets.
The pro added: “This urgency can push buyers into making hasty decisions without properly considering their options or negotiating a good deal.”
3. They use ambiguous language
Phrases such as “has so much potential” or “needs some tender loving care” may sound great, but they really mean the property needs a lot of work.
It’s important to pay attention to the words estate agents use and see if they’re hiding anything by asking questions when they say something ambiguous.
4. They suggest you pay more
Estate agents may tell. buyers to offer more in order to beat the lots of other buyers who have also placed an offer.
Zara said: “Estate agents might suggest increasing your offer to improve your chances of buying a property and beating their offers. But stick to your budget.”
5. They suggest to skip the property survey
Many homebuyers may also be convinced there are no problems with a property, encouraging them to skip a survey.
However, it’s essential to get a survey done to spot any problems, especially if the home has been on the market for a while.
6. They don’t give you a price
The property pro continued: “Estate agents often withhold the asking price of the property, hoping to get buyers into a bidding frenzy and drive up the final price.
“This trick can mislead buyers into offering more for the property than they would if the estate agent had been honest about the price from the start.”
