Sir, – As an Irish expat returning to live in Dublin, I have been surprised to find that one thing hasn’t changed since I left, and that is the shoddy treatment of potential buyers by estate agents.
Most frustrating is the persistence of firms advertising properties as “for sale” but then telling you they are “sale agreed” when you call to view.
I am aware this practice is to provide a backstop for vendors if a deal falls through, but it surely contravenes any basic standard of marketing ethics, and wastes an awful lot of time if you are trying to buy?
Following the price collapse of recent years it may be a buyers’ market, but estate agents continue their relentless pursuit (and they would say legal obligation) of vendors’ interests over everything else. Caveat emptor. – Yours, etc,