Mud's flying over here... a prospective buyer is accusing a Foxtons agent of bullying her by refusing to show her a Richmond property after she apparently refused mortgage advice from sister-company Alexander Hall. Foxtons have responded, claiming a misunderstanding... suggesting the agent was merely trying to ascertain whether the buyer really had finance in place. Obviously, without full details, it's impossible to know what actually happened, but there's clearly room for dysfunction. On the one hand, Foxtons (fairly or unfairly) has a reputation for aggressive tactics, and the aggressive selling of AH services in particular, so it's understandable that someone might become a little defensive when the whole subject comes even before a viewing. On the other, I wish more agents were a little more aggressive about vetting prospective buyers, rather than simply notching up viewings on a quantity, not quality, basis. With loan criteria tougher than ever, this aspect of an agent's job has never been more important.

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