Some of the ways buyers have been tempting sellers?
- Quick sale; chain free buyers (28%), buying with cash and funds at the ready (24%)
- Offering baked goods(10%), free services (10%)
- Additional cash on top of the sale price (10%), invite to dinner (4%)
When asked about the type of bribe, 28% said they boasted about their potential to make a quick purchase due to being free of any chain, while 24% made it clear that they were a cash buyer, and even provided proof of funds.
Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa, said: “Incentivising sellers with bribes is nothing new and it’s certainly a grey area that flirts with the lines of legality, not to mention the fact it’s somewhat morally questionable. ”
“The irony is that, in hotter market conditions, the practice of gazumping is one that is not only rife, but completely above board and it happens year in year out.
“As a seller, there’s certainly nothing wrong with building a rapport with potential buyers but it’s best to always maintain a degree of distance with them when it comes to the formalities of selling your home. After all, it’s your agent’s job to field potential offers and relay them to you and not only does this provide you with some breathing space from overly pushy buyers, but your agent is far more likely to secure you the best offer while doing so. It’s their profession after all.”
This of course would be more commonplace should you be looking to sell your home without assisted viewings from an experienced agent, who can also guide you through the sales process from start to finish.
