Mortgage brokers have leapt to Purplebricks defence after one agent refused to value a property for free – for a remortgage.

‘Ruth’ took to Twitter to blast the agent after she had booked time off work for a valuation to take place but was called the evening before to be told that it would be a virtual valuation only.

ONE-STAR

Writing a one-star review on Trust Pilot Angry Ruth complained that wouldn’t be suitable as she had a self-build property and that she had now waisted her time. But she was even more surprised when the agent replied it would be a waste of his time too.

But brokers leapt to Purplebricks’ defence.

London Money‘s Martin Stewart says: “This example goes to prove that sometimes it is not the industry that is the problem, it is often the ignorance or naivety of the consumer.

“A collective education programme funded by all aspects of the industry would go some way to filling in the consumer knowledge gap and help improve overall efficiency.

“Asking a valuer, who no doubt is already under significant pressure from the current market conditions, to then commence some free work to help bail someone out, must feel like having salt rubbed into the wounds.”

Estate agents aren’t there to value property.”

Daniel White, Managing Director of London-based White Financial Services, adds: “Estate Agents aren’t there to value property, they are not qualified surveyors and list the property based on data. They’re there to market the property, get the best price for the property, sell the property and see the sale through to completion.”

A spokesperson for Purple Bricks says: “We are absolutely committed to helping customers value their property. Like many estate agents we have developed a number of methods for valuations including on-line, virtual and physical. We evaluate which is the most appropriate depending on a number of factors.”