The Best Vendors are Actually Your Previous Purchasers

The Best Vendors are Actually Your Previous Purchasers

Why your previous purchasers could be your best source of instructions.

A friend of mine – Helen – has recently moved house.  It was a fraught time.  She was on the phone to me a lot (naturally), complaining about her buyer and her agent. They were both dragging their heels, apparently, causing her unnecessary grief and anguish – deliberately, of course.

“How are things going with your new home?” I asked on one of our daily calls.   Her tone totally changed: “Oh it’s terrific!” she gushed.  “The vendor is lovely, the agent is a total sweetheart and Ican’t wait to move in.”

“How was the survey?” I enquired, hesitantly.  “Oh fine”, she replied, breezily.  “Just a bit of rising damp and Japanese Knotweed – nothing to worry about”.

Ok, I exaggerated for effect on that last bit, but I hope you get my drift.  When you’re selling your house, everything seems to be stacked against you: the purchaser offers too low, the agent presses you to take it, the survey is full of bad news, the chain below you is troublesome, and so it goes on.  However, when you’re buying your next home, it’s an entirely different story. Yes, there are hoops to jump through, but you jump with gusto and determination, motivated and excited by the prospect of moving into your new home.

Human nature causes us to see things that we are trying to leave behind as a burden, a millstone around our neck.  Our new home however, is something we are striving towards, reaching out for with a smile on our face.  As a consequence, the estate agents that are involved in our transition become part of the problem, or part of the solution. In a vendor’s mind, any problem with a sale becomes the fault of their agent, whether it’s the survey, the buyer’s borrowing capacity or an issue with dates.  On the other hand, in a purchaser’s mind, their agent is on side, helping and supporting them, taking that journey towards their dream home together.

So how can we use this phenomenon to our advantage?  Well the important point here, is that when looking for repeat business from vendors, turn first to your purchasers.  They are much more likely to remember your input as favourable, and helpful.  Someone who has bought from you is pre-disposed to trust you more, and pay a proper fee for your services, than a disgruntled vendor who eventually had to sell at 20% below their asking price years ago.  (Even it is was because they hadn’t disclosed it had been previously underpinned.) Past purchasers can be so much easier to work with because they come to you with trust and liking, so the relationship starts off on a much firmer foundation (pun intended).

In short, and in general, leave your previous vendors alone and instead, encourage your previous purchasers with open arms – in a few months’ time they too will be previous vendors, and you’ll have to look elsewhere.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this topic – please, leave a comment, or if you’re shy, email me at sam@home-truths.co.uk

What to read next: Can your ideal client please step up? 

What to do next: Do you get my Supertips? They’re jam-packed full of great tips and marketing strategies, and best still – they’re free! Get yours here -> www.samashdown.co.uk/supertips

Speak to Sam: If you’d like to know how I think you could improve your marketing, just answer a few short questions here  and I’ll tell you if and how you could be more effective.

Sam Ashdown

Sam is an industry-renowned marketing strategist to estate agents. She helps agents grow and flourish, using her unique smart marketing techniques and strategies. Sam works with agents throughout the UK to help them gain more valuations, win more instructions and sell more properties.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Mortgage approvals continue to climb in June

The latest mortgage approval data from the Bank of England figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for June sat at 64,167 up (+1.4%) from 63,288 in May. This signals two consecutive months of growth. Approvals are also up (+5.6%) when compared to the 60,761 seen in June 2024. This growth is positive,…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England Money & Credit Report June 2025

Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £3.1 billion to £5.3 billion in June, compared to a £2.8 billion increase to £2.2 billion of net borrowing in May. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 900, to 64,200 in June. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 200, to 41,800 in June. This…
Read More
Breaking News

Housing market’s summer surge dampened by soaring stamp duty costs

Housing market activity has surged, with buyer demand up 11 per cent and agreed sales up eight per cent year-on-year, defying typical summer slowdown National house price inflation has slowed to 1.3 per cent, driven by a 12 per cent increase in homes for sale and higher stamp duty costs for many buyers Higher stamp…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rents reach another new record as tenants pay £400 more than five years ago

The average advertised rent of homes outside of London has risen to another new record this quarter of £1,365 per calendar month (pcm), but the yearly pace of rent growth continues to slow: London rents also reach a 15th consecutive new record of £2,712 pcm this quarter Five years on from the pandemic, new tenants…
Read More
Breaking News

Six UK vineyards where homebuyers avoid the 84% premium

Six affordable UK vineyards where homebuyers avoid the 84% house price premium and toast a better deal The latest research from Yopa has revealed that living close to one of the UK’s top vineyards will set homebuyers back an average of £494,739, 84% more than the current UK average house price. However, there remain a…
Read More
Breaking News

Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars

Communities and town centres across the UK are set to benefit from a wave of new cafes, bars, music venues and outdoor dining options, as the Government slashes red tape to breathe new life into the high street. Government to overhaul planning and licensing rules to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars…
Read More