Hello,
Did he really?!
Yes, he did. There is still such a thing as a right to privacy, or did I miss something?
And if you are determined to buy the property, wouldn’t you try to access as many sources of information about the building as possible? Just to maybe keep the "secret" of the owner, which shortly after the purchase wouldn’t be a secret anymore? Very commendable of you! Whether it’s wise is another question…
You know – around here we say: "I can only think as badly of others as I am myself!"
Anyone who wants to buy a used property is well advised to request an appraisal report. If this is not available, their own security should be worth enough money to commission one themselves! There is no need for some shady questioning of neighbors, who after all only talk based on hearsay.
And if the broker or owner tells you to keep it confidential, then that’s okay, but that’s rather rare. At least, I haven’t experienced it at around 10-15 house viewings. The usual case was always an ad on the common real estate portals and sometimes signs in front of the house. And if brokers or owners asked me to keep things confidential or not to talk to the neighbors, my alarm bells would ring all the more…
Then I would like to enlighten you to the contrary – the interesting properties are neither found in the press nor online, let alone marketed with signs. These are offered very quietly and out of the public eye. If I behaved the way you describe above, nobody would trust me anymore!
The properties you describe are usually on the market for longer and have already been handled by several brokers.
Best regards from the Rhineland