"It's such a worry," says the up-market central London estate agent today. "I am in an office of young commission-driven sharks. With this lack of stock, even when I've agreed a sale, they are showing it to their applicants. Every deal I do, I am waiting to be gazumped by my own office." But surely, I say, you mark it "under offer" on the web etc? "Nope, management won't allow until exchange. They were successfully sued by a gazumped buyer who had in writing it was off market, but the vendor then sold to a friend." Caveat Emptor. The agent you deal with may be a smiley dolphin but beware the shark-filled sea in which he swims...

Tracy Kellett runs leading buying agents BDI Homefinders. Follow her on Twitter, here.

Tales from the property front line... the art of estate agenting [July 12, 2010]

Yes, I'm still on holiday... but couldn't resist posting this guest contribution. Interviews continue tomorrow.

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