Hi All,

 I have been in the game of looking for a house now for about 2 months.

The latest agent (not the listing agent) for a house that we really like is being really pushy for a higher price and for us to sign a contract.

We have offered less than the advertised price and have worked our way towards the asking price, however, ever since the second offer (we are up to the fourth offer) the agent has become really pushy for us to sign the contract as a "bargaining" tool to the seller.

Does anyone else feel this is wrong? Shouldnt the contract be signed after the price and all extras have been agreed to by both parties?

Has anyone else had this same problem and how did they get around it?

Thanks

This is where the estate agent often ends up working for the purchaser, against his own client.  By giving the estate agent a signed contract you also give him a "conditioning tool".

The estate agent will use your signed contract to convince the vendor that the market is talking, and that the price you have offered in hard copy is about the best he can expect to get.  Remember, the estate agent will miss out on a commission unless he can get a sale, any sale, at any price, during the currency of his agency contract with the vendor.  Thus, time is the enemy for the estate agent.

If you make a written offer, with a time limit of say two days, and you present as unwavering in your determination not to go any higher in price, the estate agent will turn on his own client.  I have seen this happen time and time again.

A word of warning however - you must remain firm to use the estate agent in this way, as agents are very good at identifying the weaker party and their ability to keep the parties separated leaves plenty of room for lies and other forms of deception.