When Your Agent Plays Games (and You Pay the Price)

So a buyer said to me once:

"John, I hate the way you value property."

I asked, "What do you mean?"

She replied, "Well, you're not giving me a chance to negotiate."

I said, "Right. So you've offered £475,000 for a flat marketed at £500,000. How much is the flat worth?"

She paused. "£500,000."

Exactly.

I said, "Now imagine you're the seller. I tell you a buyer has perfect finances, she's motivated, she loves your place, she's the strongest position we've seen... but she's offering £25,000 under asking. Would you want me to encourage that?"

"No," she admitted.

And that, dear reader, is where most agents fail you. Not the buyer — the agent. Because too many are playing both sides to get a deal done fast, not to protect your price.

Let’s Talk About Sarah’s Situation

Sarah commented on my TikTok:

"Mine on the market for £340,000. Got offered £280,000. I rejected it. They've now come back at £286,000 and want a second viewing. I don't want to give them the time of day."

Here’s what most sellers miss: why was that £280,000 offer even presented?

If the agent told Sarah her home was worth £340,000, and they genuinely believed that — then offering up a £280,000 bid like it was credible is dishonest at best, and manipulative at worst.

This isn’t about cheeky buyers. It’s about agents letting them in the door — and throwing you under the bus to close a deal.

Questions Every Seller Should Be Asking

• Why would any agent recommend or forward an offer more than £50,000 below their own valuation?
• Why wasn’t the offer shut down instantly?
• Why are you, the seller, made to feel like you’re the problem for not accepting it?
• What other side deals, shortcuts, or excuses are they making behind your back?

Because if your agent is trying to persuade you to accept £286,000 on a £340,000 valuation — they’re not your agent anymore. They’re the buyer’s negotiator.

What Buyers Think vs. What Agents Should Do

Here’s what real buyers said on TikTok:

"Properties are only worth what someone is willing to pay."

"I got a £650k valued house for £500k years ago."

"Agents don’t share comparables with buyers – that's how you know they can't justify the price."

"The agent just wants a quick commission."

"You wouldn’t buy a car worth £30k and pay £50k for it."

These are buyers talking openly about how they expect agents to crumble. How they assume agents will let them chip away at you. Because most do.

They’re not the enemy. They’re just playing the game. The real problem is the agent who lets them.

When You Hear This, Run

If you hear any of the following from your agent:

• “It’s a starting point.”
• “It shows they’re interested.”
• “We don’t want to lose them.”
• “It’s a fair offer in this market.”

What they’re really saying is:

“I don’t believe in the price I gave you. I just said it to win your instruction.”

And now they want you to take less. Because it suits them.

What to Do If This Is Happening to You

1. Ask your agent, “Why did you say it was worth £340,000 but send me a £280,000 offer?”
2. Demand to see recent comparables.
3. Watch how they justify it — the truth will show.

If they squirm, flinch, or fluff the answer — sack them.

You deserve an agent who:

• Knows how to set a price and defend it.
• Has a launch strategy that pulls in serious buyers.
• Filters out time-wasters before they even step through your door.

If your agent is entertaining fantasy offers, vague interest, or lazy negotiation...

Book a 1:1 Private Strategy Call with me.

I’ll tell you exactly what’s going wrong — and what to do about it. No fluff. No BS. Just the straight truth from someone who’s actually on your side.

Book Your Private Strategy Call Now ➔

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