Sssshh: ‘Secret Sellers’ Enter The Housing Market

Here at Winging It we like to know what’s going on in the housing market, so our feathery ears pricked up (no idea if this is ornithologically accurate…) when we heard of an interesting new trend: the rise of the ’secret seller’.

Stacks Property Search tell us that a lot of estate agents are being approached by vendors and told ‘please sell my house, but don’t tell anyone it’s for sale.’

Their explanation for this phenomenon is plausible: good old fashioned social embarrassment.

It seems people don’t want to be seen failing to sell; and neither do they want the neighbours pointing at them on the street and laughing because they know what price they’re selling for, especially if they’re taking a knock on the price they bought at.

There are other reasons too, of course: exclusivity, cost cutting, the avoidance of time-wasters, and testing the price before they go openly onto the market at a reduced price.

That’s the theory, anyway, but I have to admit, this is the first I’ve heard of it. I’d be interested to hear from estate agents on the subject – is it really the case?

And what of vendors? If you’re a secret seller let us know why you’re doing it; and, more to the point, tell us how you’re getting on with the whole selling bit if no-one knows that your property is available.

• “We’ve gone on holiday by mistake. We’re in this cottage here.” ‘Withnail and I’ cottage for sale. (1)
• Windmills For Sail (2)
• White House For Sale (0)
• Spend a Penny, Buy a Loo (2)
• Join The Jet Set (0)