Price, according to the broker, non-negotiable!!

Hello everyone..

I have a question regarding the negotiation with the real estate agent. The situation: We looked at a single-family house BJ 2008 with a real estate agent (1 viewing) and we had already informed ourselves about the house as much as possible a few days before. We like the property overall quite a lot, however, we already noticed a few defects during the viewing that are visible to the naked eye (e.g., cracks, poorly laid parquet, and the garden is a steep slope??!!). We asked the agent a few questions and afterwards, which in hindsight was probably a mistake, I briefly asked for a price reduction because some defects were very obvious.

Without even batting an eye, we were immediately turned down.

The problem is that we could afford the house, but I am convinced that the house is definitely not worth the price it was listed for.

Could you maybe give some tips on how best to solve this now? I actually wanted to wait two to three weeks in the hope that the agent would contact us again on his own because he would not have sold the property by then. Or would it be better to write another email right away and mention our exact price expectation with justification.

I look forward to any advice.

I would take another look at the house with an expert. Then discuss it with them and if you still feel positive about the house, place an offer. Then you'll see what happens.

Hello,

of course the agent initially rejects that – every euro less in purchase price also reduces his commission. If I were in his place, I wouldn’t do it differently at first...

The tip from is good – I would also try it that way.

Do you know how long the house has been on the market?

At some point, the agent’s priority will shift from "full commission amount" towards "commission now" – of course, always assuming that no one pays the full price without negotiation.

But weighing this risk is up to you alone.

Regards,

Dirk

Strange agent, but whatever.

If the agent is this uncooperative, I would also, as already suggested, arrange another viewing appointment with an expert, then wait for the expert's assessment and then submit a written offer to the agent without comment.

If there is no response after 10 days, you call him and ask. If he still remains stubborn, you can either give in or let time work for you – with the residual risk that someone else buys it.

Best regards
Dirk Grafe

If I sell my house and don't want to have anything to do with the sale, I hire a real estate agent. He is allowed / required to sell my house at the optimal price. I agree on this price with the agent. Now it is up to the agent's discretion to sell the house. Why should there already be a willingness to reduce the price after the first conversation? As a house seller, I would go to the agent and tell him that he is not doing his job well.

The defects may already be priced in? The market determines how much this house is worth. If the agent finds someone who buys the house at that price, he was right. If not, he was out of luck.

I’m telling you! Nevertheless, an agent should pass on an offer in the sense of "I am passing it on" and not independently say "no." An agent is still "only" an intermediary!

As already said, if I wanted the house and had determined a price, I would inform the agent of this in writing. Possibly also once again to the owner. However, with a time limit. And then see what happens. If he then brushes it off, at least you could continue looking for another house in peace...