Property purchase & broker behavior: Is this normal?

Hello everyone,

we are still pretty green behind the ears and are currently on pins and needles. Therefore, we would appreciate an assessment from experienced people :)

We found one or two plots of land on [Immoscout] (with builder binding) and expressed our interest. Especially in one plot.
The builder got back to us immediately and has already discussed details with us (house size, floor plan, etc.), and also said we should write to the real estate agent regarding the plot.

We then sent a message to the agent responsible for the respective plot, but got zero reaction.
Then we had another conversation with the builder about details, and he said he would immediately inform the agent that we really want the plot, but that I should also send another email.
Done and done, again no reaction from the agent. So I called and asked if my email had been received - yes, they were aware, had already spoken to the builder, and forwarded the request to the responsible agent.
Two days later my parents called again (we are building with them on the plot - they pay for the plot, we pay for the construction) to signal that we want to buy it and that the money is already "ready". They asked for a purchase contract and announced that I would write again regarding the questions we still have, etc.
Regarding interested parties, they said that there are already some for both plots, but they have been messing around with financing for 5 weeks. We also said that we don’t need financing but could pay immediately.
So I wrote my questions to the responsible agent, but again received no response for 1.5 days.
To give an assessment: Overall we are talking about a time span of about 8 days.
We did not have a viewing appointment, but we already went there ourselves to take a look. The plot is very visible; if we finalize, we would of course want to visit the plot again.

Now I am wondering: Is this normal? Are we being strung along?
Yes, I could call the agent again, but I’m starting to feel stupid with so little response and don’t want to drive the price up through "too much interest".
Or are we just too nervous because we really want the plot?

Looking forward to your assessments.

Unfortunately completely normal for one to two years. Keep calling repeatedly. Emails are patient.

That really sounds quite green behind the ears. By the way, the prime properties usually don’t end up on the relevant websites. Also, the information there is often simply wrong. For example, the corresponding property is already gone, and you get offered other properties until you maybe reluctantly say yes. There are some posts in this forum with various examples of such realtors. Regarding green behind the ears. Have you even thought about what kind of house you want?

I had this experience last year in cases where the properties did not even exist or the agents were not authorized to dispose of the properties, and we were pressured to conclude a contract with the "house seller." With you, however, it could be quite different, perhaps a chain of unfortunate circumstances. It's a pity that no links are allowed to be published here, otherwise the circle of commentators could take a look at the listings.

Just give them a call and annoy them! Emails are patient and get pushed down.

They asked for a purchase agreement,

Purchase agreements are handled by the notary. The broker mediates, owners sell... let a broker find a customer/buyer, the sale goes through the land register, so through the notary.

Are we being stalled?

That can also be the case.

But generally it is probably the case that properties remain listed on the portals until the potential buyers and interested parties have sorted out their finances, and that can take a few weeks. And even if brokers have a bad reputation: these reservations seem to be treated as binding.

That could also be the case, but it doesn't have to be.
I also saw my property first on the relevant portal. And it definitely took about a week for the real estate agent to get back to me. The construction company then took another one to two weeks.

However, the property is by no means overpriced and can rather be described as a gem.
In fact, it had been on the market for quite a while. I’m only a little annoyed that I didn’t discover it earlier. But back then, the lack of desire also played a role.

So the markets are currently unfortunately such that real estate agents, construction companies, and even craftsmen can act like divas and be pampered by their customers. There are no lasting consequences for poor performance since right around the corner, the next needy customer is already desperately looking for a service provider.
Acquisition is basically unnecessary because the doors are being broken down anyway.

I have now contacted at least 10-20 renovation companies and only received one (too high) offer. Five declined, stating they are fully booked for the foreseeable future (at least six months), two appointments in January just to discuss what I actually want, and I have been waiting for weeks for three offers that were actually promised. Of those, two said they can start no earlier than April.
Oh, and one declined because it was “too complicated.” The rest didn’t respond at all.

So, stay persistent!