Inappropriate Question at Open Home?

LWhatTheDuck on 04/09/2021 - 16:35
Last edited 07/09/2021 - 08:45 by 2 other users

Just completed our usual weekend round of house viewings. Not much luck in terms of finding a reasonably priced property, but nevertheless we persist.

Most our interactions with the real estate agents hosting the house viewings have been relatively positive. Understandably some are more curt than others especially when there's 20 other buyers viewing the property.

However, an interaction this morning left me quite shocked. We were asking the agent regarding the usual details of the property, build age, rental rate etc. When we asked why the owner was selling, the agent said "Frankly it's inappropriate to ask this during a home open and why the owner is selling is none of your business."

My partner and I were so shocked that we just walked out without another word. Which is a shame because we were considering putting an offer on the place up till that point.

Just want to hear other's opinions on whether it is an inappropriate question and how I should've handled it better. Being a first home buyer, it's a default question I ask all the time to gauge urgency of sale.

Mod: The poster has received sufficient answers and asked the thread to be closed. See final comments.

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  • jv on 06/09/2021 - 10:24
    -1

    When we asked why the owner was selling

    That's none of your business

    • Cluster on 06/09/2021 - 10:38

      The buyers can ask, while the seller doesn't have to say. Seems like a fair situation.

  • Cluster on 06/09/2021 - 10:38

    Usually when people are defensive about reasons for selling the property it's because they feel revealing the details will either deliver a lower price, or no sale.

    For example, the following are prime reasons to start cutting the offer price: divorce, deceased estate, must move because of job, heading overseas or we can't afford this place. All five reasons (and especially the last one) have the sharks circling and nibbling at the price because you know someone doesn't just want to sell, but they absolutely must sell.

  • rompastompa on 06/09/2021 - 10:54

    I asked the same question where a house had been bought and sold < 3years. They were selling it a similar price to what they bought it for and there were no improvements.

    There were a few questionable things like water run off/flooding, so wanted to know why they were selling it. The agent says "That's what a lot of people do, it's normal to sell houses < 3 years".

    My thoughts were, sure, if they were fixing it up and making a profit. Who is going to take a stamp duty loss / cost of moving for the sake of it!?

  • Bills22 on 06/09/2021 - 11:16

    Not inappropriate and not irrelevant. You are trying to understand what circumstances has prompted the sell and understand your position as a potential buyer. If the neighbours are from hell, if the area is no good (judge for yourself) etc etc.

    I always ask this and have had no kickbacks but perhaps the way the question is asked can be the difference or maybe the Agent is just a real piece of work.

  • payless69 on 06/09/2021 - 11:29
    +1

    2 snippets from Realestate.com.au, no edit:

    I’ve been selling to Cairns locals for well over a decade now

    has been in the industry since 2018.

    Any more questions? Ah perhaps worked at HN before?

  • Drakesy on 06/09/2021 - 11:33
    +1

    Yeah, bit of a weird one by the real estate agent.
    Not sure how it's inappropriate. However they're very unlikely to tell you the reason if it'll negatively impact the value of the property, that's on your conveyancer to try to find out.

    Don't stress about it, just another real estate agent angry that he has to show up for 30 minutes to take 1.5% of a property's value.

  • happyhammer on 06/09/2021 - 11:36

    Personally I see that as a red flag on the house. While its not the most important question it is a relatable question and their answer is not ideal.
    For example, I would ask a car seller why they are selling, whether you get the true answer is not guaranteed though. Good luck hunting, its a real fight out there!

  • diddy50 on 06/09/2021 - 11:36
    +1

    I've always asked why they are selling, it is a normal question.
    Not irrelevant or inappropriate.

    Its used by buyers as part of negotiations. A tactic

  • Trioboy on 06/09/2021 - 11:51

    Strange response from the REA. If the reason for selling is sensitive, they usually say something like it's due to personal reasons, due to change in personal circumstances or they make up some other reason. REA probably has enough interest in the property so they don't really care about pissing off some potential buyers.

  • greggsy on 06/09/2021 - 12:16
    +3

    It's just a pathetic power play. Don't waste your time talking to them. Conversations with most real estate agents won't add any value, they will only leave you questioning whether they are telling the truth.
    My approach is to treat them as a machine, get the required documents, put in an offer if you want to.

  • Lockieasy on 06/09/2021 - 12:22

    Asking that question is a waste of time most of the time as the agent isn't exactly going to say they're selling because the building's about to collapse or whatever. The most you'll get is a non-answer like downsizing, pregnancy etc. that doesn't change anything. While the agent was rude I can see why they assumed you were another tyre-kicker.

  • xtremehell on 06/09/2021 - 13:07
    +1

    Real estate reps are selling water in a desert, not surprised they don't give a toss about offending one potential customer.

  • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 06/09/2021 - 13:10

    There is a difference between a house and a home.
    A negative experience at time of purchase can impact your feelings towards the home the whole time you are living in it.
    Everytime something goes wrong or you find something you don't like you will remember the prick real estate agent that sold it to you.
    Much easier to forgive potential issues with the house if it starts out with a positive purchase experience.
    Different story if it is just a "business transaction" and you don't really care about the home. You don't have to feel good about the house you are renting out as long as it makes money.
    Unless the house is everything you want (and as you were only "considering making an offer" it sounds like you might have been settling) find a house, and real estate agent, that makes it feel like home.
    At the same time don't let emotion take over and make sure it makes economic sense.

  • duluxe2000 on 06/09/2021 - 13:47

    "Being a first home buyer, it's a default question I ask all the time to gauge urgency of sale" : Your intention is to find some leverages to bargain. Which is not nice either from the sellers/agents' perspective, esp when it's their mistake to let you know in the first place. I suggest you should find another way to find out instead of asking this question directly. I also agree that agent's response is not professional.

  • bohn on 06/09/2021 - 15:47

    Which is a shame because we were considering putting an offer on the place up till that point.

    Lol get over yourself.

    Asking that question is a waste of time most of the time as the agent isn't exactly going to say they're selling because the building's about to collapse or whatever. The most you'll get is a non-answer like downsizing, pregnancy etc. that doesn't change anything. While the agent was rude I can see why they assumed you were another tyre-kicker.

    This is prob true. But anyway, if you were interested in putting an offer in OP, don't let such things put you off.
    This 'I was going to put an offer in but you were rude to me' is nonsense.

  • Mintee on 06/09/2021 - 16:08

    I'm a 'C U in the Northern Territory' when it comes to REA open houses, and its frankly because there all a bunch of sneaky people.

    I always ask if there open to offers, and if its a yes, give them one, chase up with them to ensure that they update their statement of information after rejecting it. The amount of times i've been screwed over by them!

  • Johhny 2 balls on 06/09/2021 - 18:21

    The customer is always right. First rule of sales. You can ask what you want, include a packet of Tim Tams as part payment and have a settlement of 10 years if the vendor agrees. You are not powerless in buying quite the opposite.

  • cloudy on 06/09/2021 - 18:24

    I remember when I got my place the agent answered me, truthfully too, the seller is a lecturer and moved interstate for work and not been living here for months.

    I instantly knew, I was gonna nab this at a good price. And I did.

    So all those idiots who say it’s not relevant or the agent might not tell the truth, they may be right, but who cares. It’s free to ask. And you might get a truthfully agent with helpful info.

  • BestofOZB on 06/09/2021 - 18:31

    Just an arrogant real estate agent, when they want the listing to sell, they would be so nice, when the market is down, they would be so nice….but when we happen to have a hot market, and they have secured the listing from the seller, they are Aholes…..only the seller is to lose here unfortunately because they could have gotten a better offer.

    It is totally relevant, and very very appropriate, property investment 101…anyone who disagrees does not understand the property market.

    If they are selling bacause it is an inheritence, or divorce, or moving interstate or oversease, if they want a longer or shorter settlement etc etc, it all is relevant and helps you to shape your offer (it's not only about the price) and a good agent should be keen enough to tell you that……but of course they may choose not to disclose it if it may affect the sale.

    Move on….that's all you can do…..but keep asking the same question.

  • popsiee on 06/09/2021 - 18:34

    all is relevant and helps you to shape your offer (it's not only about the price) and a good agent should be keen enough to tell you that

    I can tell you all markets need fish as well so the sharks can prosper :)

  • The Frugal One on 06/09/2021 - 18:35
    +2

    Are you in WA? The agent told me the same thing. I asked why the seller was selling(coz a quick google said you should ask that in home opens.) Agent told me
    It was none of my business. I insisted that as a buyer, its something worth asking and the agent insisted that it is not.

    I was so put off and ready to walk out.

    Good thing my partner did not lose focus on what we really wanted: a home we liked. We both liked the house. We put in an offer anyway. Prior to this, Aside from talking to the agent, we walked around the neighborhood and asked about the street to neighbors. We researched about the area. We read on local facebook crime reports.

    I am glad I didnt pull my partner out from the home open with my very hurt ego. We are in our home now and are loving it. Prices are going higher in our neighborhood too, about $50k-100k higher than the offer we made last year.

    I think, focus on what you really want. People will be people and there will be bad eggs everywhere. Is it inappropriate to ask those questions when buying? I dont think so. But be prepared for whatever answer you get and save that answer as an additional piece of puzzle to get to your goal—buy a house you love.

  • dreamscene on 06/09/2021 - 19:22

    The house smells like fresh bread, very nice…can your wife make me a sandwich, I feel hungry for some reason.

  • CalmLemons on 06/09/2021 - 20:13

    OP has deleted their post. Why? I was about to ask a few of my agents on their opinion…..

  • funnysht on 07/09/2021 - 00:04

    you should invite him over to sell your place… Then when he turns up and asks you why you're selling, then you know

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