Unprofessional Conduct and Pressure Tactics

We recently engaged with a Chaz Everitt (Bellville, Cape Town) agent regarding a property purchase. Our experience was deeply disappointing and raises serious concerns about professional standards.

We made an offer at full asking price, had bond pre-approval, and had a 40% deposit available to pay immediately. Despite being ideal buyers, we were treated dismissively for conducting proper due diligence.

The agent submitted an Offer to Purchase template for us to sign. After spending several hours carefully reviewing the document, we identified numerous errors and concerning clauses, including an incorrect ERF number, non-standard payment terms that deviated from industry practice, and missing safety certificate requirements.

When we provided detailed feedback on these issues, the agent called to thank us for catching the ERF error - which he admitted was his mistake and that he "had to go fix on ALL the contracts" he'd sent to other potential buyers.

Despite acknowledging his errors and our time spent identifying them, the agent then responded to our comprehensive list of material concerns by claiming our offer had "expired" and stating he had "8 very good candidates" - a transparent pressure tactic designed to force us into signing a flawed contract without proper amendments.

Key Issues: Template errors affecting multiple clients: The agent was circulating contracts with the wrong ERF number to multiple potential buyers. Refusal to address legitimate concerns: Rather than addressing contractual issues (deposit payment timing, non-standard bond disbur*****t clauses, tenancy status discrepancies), he attempted to create false urgency. Pressure tactics: Using phantom competing offers to rush buyers into legally binding contracts without proper due diligence. Unprofessional communication: Switching from thanking us for catching errors to dismissing our valid concerns within days.

Our concerns included: Deposit required before bond approval (non-standard). Bond payment "within 14 days of acceptance" (banks only disburse on registration day). Contradictory information about the property's tenancy status where he confirmed verbally that there was no tenant, but the contract made mention of a tenant and the lease being the buyer's responsibility. Missing safety certificates and compliance documentation. Overly punitive default clauses that would risk us losing our full deposit (essentially our life savings).

Any competent agent should welcome buyers who conduct proper due diligence. Instead, we were met with dismissiveness and artificial pressure. This approach protects neither buyer nor seller and suggests the agent prioritises a quick commission over professional responsibility.

We strongly advise prospective buyers to: Have all contracts reviewed by an attorney before signing. Insist on written answers to all questions. Not be pressured by claims of competing offers. Ensure all verbal promises are reflected in the written contract.

Professionalism means addressing legitimate concerns, not dismissing careful buyers who refuse to sign flawed contracts.