FORENSICA Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Out of an interest, I looked at houses for sale in our area to find out if prices went up since we bought our house last year. And to my BIG surprise I found our house there for sale ! And we are certainly not selling! It is the same add from the time we were buying. It made me wonder if that is a traditional way of estate agencies to lure potential buyers to their doors? I find it very odd. Anybody with a similar story? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Goodness Have you phoned the Estate Agents in question? It may be that they have just used the wrong photo from their file or something..... If it is false advertising, ie: getting peoples interest in a nice home that is not on the market, telling them its sold when they phone up & showing them other houses instead, then that can't be legal,can it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I'd look into that if I were you, sounds very fishy to me... perhaps it would be worth digging around and checking with the Estate Agent's ombudsman. What a shock for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 You are right, I should call them. The picture/description of our flat is identical to our place. Our neighbours are not selling and their places don't fit the add. So this can't be a coincidence. Odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I'd certainly ring them and ask few questions! We were looking at buying a caravan from a dealer who was advertising this fantastic deal but it was sold two months ago - then got moved to the front page of the website I contacted them (with a sternly worded email) and they were full of apologies for it being there and it was just the website was out of date, not meaning to mislead etc etc and a few more sorry's They have removed the van but the cracking deal offered on it still shows on the homepage I suspect in this case that it is merely a rouse to encourage people in - it seems that the housing market has slowed down a bit with HIP's needed or perhaps some companies are really lousy at updating their websites A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Blimey....... Are you sure about the whereabout of the deeds to the property? I'd make as much noise about this as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) Tried to call two numbers few times and no answer Maybe they are too busy with replying to all the angry home owners and buyers. This all looks rather weird. Will call them later and consult it with my husband. Will keep you posted! Thanks for support! Edited September 21, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona A Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 You don't need to worry about Deeds these days. It's all dematerialised and held centrally on the Land Registry Computer system. A Solicitor cannot act for a client (eg a purported seller of a property) without having proof of identity (money laundering regulations). If that ID doesn't match the names on the Land Registry entries relating to a property then questions will be asked. And yes a complaint to the estate agents involved and if no joy there then onto whatever their governing body is. x 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 This is actually fairly normal with estate agents if they're running low on properties they're selling - they put in ones that have already sold to make it look like they're very successful to encourage other sellers to use them. If someone asks them about the property they just say it's already been sold so dont worry about it being sold without your knowledge!! I would contact them about it though to tell them to stop doing it.....if they dont have enough houses then thats their problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 Thanks Rachel19. That is exactly what I think about it. However, it is against the Estate Agent's code of practice hence against the law as I just found out. They have a full voice mail and don't pick up their phones. So I wrote them an email with a request of viewing and some more info about our place . I am quite curious what they will say I shall certainly contact their governing body (however I am not sure where to find this info) and tell them about this. They should close them down I think for such dishonesty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 OK, I had a bit of fun on the phone. 1. Called Fair trading, reported them and got a phone number for ARLA 2. ARLA doesn't do sales, got phone number for NAEA 3. NAEA do sales, but the Estate Agency was not registered with them so I got a phone number for Ombutsman 4. The agency is not registered at Ombutsman either so they can't help. So I am leaving it as it is. At least it is reported at the Trading Standards. Have fun all of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Estate agents aren't regulated - they won't do it . But don't worry they cannot sell your house from under you Were they quoting a good selling price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I woudl have so done as you and phoned to get a viewing first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Ring them up and make an offer! £10K below the asking price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Joe reminded me of a letter we got a few months ago from the Inland Revenue for Stamp Duty not paid A little worrying as we hadn't sold. Turns out our neighbour at 67 xxx Rd had and some dosy dimwit typed our number in on the forms ( at 64) Didn't stop me ringing our lovely solicitor for some reassurance that nothing could come of it as when they check the details nothing would match. Still, the guys solicitor would had to have paid a nice penalty as he didn't pay the tax on time!! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 would you like all us Omleteers to phone/ email the estate agents to say we would like to view your house? I bet the estate agent has never had 2000+ peolpe interested in a house at one time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 - I was just going to suggest we all phoned in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 would you like all us Omleteers to phone/ email the estate agents to say we would like to view your house? I bet the estate agent has never had 2000+ peolpe interested in a house at one time I'm up for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Ring them up and make an offer! £10K below the asking price. thats just being silly...........................................20k below the asking price!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 What if it is accepted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I still think we should all call the Agents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 I had a great laugh when I read all the replies Thanks for support! And then I though why don't I pass the details to all of you who want to call/email the agents then Can't do any harm I reckon http://www.propertyfinder.com/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=500364641&f=0&p=10&t=res&ty=&fmt=&header=®ionid=&c=16707829&tm=1190466020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 i have just requested your house details, & entered the competition to win £100 John Lewis vouchers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 shall I phone for a viewing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 I think they should change the positioning of a comma or two and have it read "alarmed residents" Has anyone called the agents yet to enquire?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
