Other clichés are available…but the ones that relate to dodgy estate agents, second hand car dealers and other ne’r-do-wells are starting to resurface as it is reported that estate agency is a boom industry. Unfortunately for the lady who penned the article published in the Daily Mail on September 2013, such rogues have never actually disappeared, they have just taken a less prominent role in recent years. Some of the shenanigans that she lists have been going on since Jesus was in short trousers (other deities are available). Being forced into a packaged solicitor arrangement together with a packaged in-house mortgage product, is sadly, nothing new; and despite what the estate agent may tell you, nobody has to do it. There are many very good independent solicitors and financial advisors in our area who never seem to be recommended by any of our corporate brethren. The reason for this is, although they do a very good job, they do not pay introductory fees to the estate agent or what some people may call back-handers. We are starting to sound like a worn record with the needle stuck, but again we cannot emphasise enough that any potential purchaser should seek independent advice before committing to anything.
