How does using a good agent help avoid gazumping and gazundering?

Gazumping and gazundering are not always carried out intentionally to save money.

No. 4103 from our magazine|2 min read| Published in Magazine on 20 December 2023 by our Marketing Team

This article is over 2 years old

Sometimes buyers and sellers experience challenges while they are between homes, and a good agent can help you overcome them.

What is gazumping?

You are elated that your offer on the home you have chosen has been accepted. A few days before completion, the person selling their property accepts an offer from another buyer. Although you may feel furious and a little heartbroken, this is perfectly legal.

How can you avoid gazumping?

Get organised

Don’t delay or waste any time. If you are organised, then you can move quickly. So, communicate with your agent and start the paperwork process as soon as possible.

Sort your mortgage

Working with a good agent helps speed things up, but if you don’t have your mortgage agreement in principle in place, delaying gives your seller more time to consider offers.

Choose your conveyancer or solicitor wisely

You don’t want a slow solicitor or conveyancer. Call them regularly for updates until they get the job done. Your agent could recommend a reputable firm for you.

Negotiate the removal of the property from the market

When making an offer as part of the deal, ask your agent if the seller is willing to remove their property from the market.

A lock-out agreement

You may be able to draw up a contract that will set out a given period of time in which the buyer has exclusive rights to buy the property.

Gazump your gazumper

If you really love the property and are determined to buy it, and your finances allow it, you could simply make a higher counter-offer; a small increase can make a big difference.

What is gazundering?

The boot is on the other foot in this case, as a buyer of a property lowers their offer, usually at the last minute. Like gazumping, this is perfectly legal until the exchange of contracts.

How can you avoid gazundering?

Set a date for the exchange of contracts

This is like setting deadlines for solicitors or conveyancers, the buyer, and the seller to work to. This will keep momentum going and reduce the risk of a buyer reducing their offer.

Pricing is critical

Understanding the property market is important. Your agent’s skill and experience in pricing accurately are crucial in valuing your property accurately.

Valuing your home

Good agents conduct face-to-face valuations and will find the right value for your home, and this will help prevent gazundering and gazumping in the first place.

Avoid leaving surprises

Hiding issues that may affect the value of your home, which will inevitably be discovered during a survey could encourage gazundering.

Consider chain-free buyers

There is no guarantee that this will prevent getting gazundered, but a chain-free buyer will move more quickly than a buyer in a chain.

Be prepared

The golden rule when moving home is to be organised. Anything that could delay your move, from paperwork, mortgages, and poor communication to choosing the wrong agent.

A good agent is crucial

An experienced agent could prevent and will certainly minimise the risk of either of these scenarios happening by matching the right buyers with the right homes. But even if these situations do arise, a discerning agent will help manage your situation so that your moving dreams do not become thwarted. Agents do not just sell properties but also represent your best interests and position in the market. They can improve your ability to buy or sell by always presenting you in the best possible light so that your home move is a success.

Get in touch today for a successful and smooth home move

This article was originally published by BriefYourMarket and is reproduced here with their permission.

For more company news and insights from Pygott & Crone, click here

HOW CAN WE HELP?