r/FirstTimeHomeSeller • u/SilverOdd5578 • 2d ago

Auctioneer not communicating

Hi, I’m currently trying to sell a site with a vacant property that I inherited a while back in Ireland. I’m not living in the area (Irish in Austria) and got in contact with a local realtor/auctioneer who seems to be popular. He was initially very friendly during our first phone call. Name dropping relatives of mine that he ‘knew well’. About 3 weeks later, he came back to me with a proposed selling price that was almost half what I was looking for. Said he was in contact with the local county council and I’d never get planning for a second house there (site is an acre in good location). Following my gut, I called the council myself and they said they wouldn’t rule out granting permission and an auctioneer wouldn’t have been told so fast or straight out that it would be refused. I messaged said auctioneer to let him know the price I would rather put property up for, as I can always go lower if it’s not selling. He hasn’t replied to any of my last 3 messages and it’s been over a month now. I was back in August to get the site cleared up from complete overgrown trees and grass. He has the keys to the property and I originally contacted him August 7th and said I wanted to get the ball rolling as fast as possible. I spent a lot of money clearing the site and don’t want it getting all overgrown again before I can sell it. Is this normal behaviour? My husband reckons he wanted to pull a fast one or buy cheap himself as a fixer upper. I just don’t feel this behaviour is right or am I overthinking?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

1

u/djjdkwjsbdj 2d ago

Auctioning an inherited home is nuts. Just hire a realtor.

1

u/SilverOdd5578 2d ago

I’m trying to sell it not auction it. This is an auctioneer/real estate agent that I’m talking about.

1

u/djjdkwjsbdj 1d ago

Then find a new one. What is the issue?

1

u/SilverOdd5578 1d ago

I was only wondering if this behaviour is the norm or am I expecting things to move quicker with more communication.

2

u/Jamiemcg9988 22h ago

Yeah, a lot of them are useless/lazy unfortunately

2

u/PurpleWomat 17h ago

Yes, it's unfortunately common. I had this problem when I was trying to buy a house too. Some of them are just uncommunicative. Find a new one and explain to both of them why you're moving and what your expectations are for the new agent. You'll be labelled 'difficult' but it should get things moving.

1

u/TJMBeav 1d ago

Sounds like a great excuse to take a vacation to Ireland! Seriously, I wouldn't trust a complete stranger in a foreign country regardless of who recommended them, especially if the property is worth a significant amount of money. A week in Ireland wouldn't cost that much, especially with the strong dollar. Hell, I'm retired and Irish myself and I would fly over there and rep you for a flat 5% fee of the selling price.

1

u/THEsquishykins 15h ago

This is my experience with auctioneers in general tbh. Even my cousin, who I am close-ish with, screwed me over when I was looking for a house, lied through his teeth about different properties we were looking at trying to make the sale.

Do you have any family/friends in the country who wouldn't mind dealing with them on your behalf?