Selling and Buying Through the Same Estate Agent: Pros, Cons and Conflicts of Interest (UK Guide)

If you’re moving home, you may find yourself in a common situation: the estate agent selling the house you want to buy offers to sell your current property too.

On the surface, it sounds convenient, one agent, one point of contact, and potentially a smoother chain.

But many people hesitate for one important reason:

Is there a conflict of interest if the same estate agent is helping you buy and sell?After all, an agent is employed to achieve the best possible price for their seller, so can they also act in your best interest to help you secure the best deal?

In this guide, Blue Sky Estate Agents explain the pros and cons of selling through the same agent you’re buying from, and how to protect yourself when negotiating.

Can You Sell and Buy Through the Same Estate Agent in the UK?

Yes, it’s completely normal in the UK property market.

This typically happens when:

• you view a home and decide to make an offer

• the estate agent asks whether you need to sell your property

• they suggest marketing your home to strengthen your buying position

Some agents may call this “keeping everything under one roof”, but it is essentially a form of linked sale and purchase with the same estate agency.

Pros of Selling Through the Same Estate Agent

1. Faster Communication and a Smoother Moving Process

One of the biggest benefits is convenience.

When the same estate agent handles your sale and purchase, they can:

• coordinate timelines more easily

• update both sides quickly

• reduce confusion in the chain

• chase progress through solicitors and survey stages

This can make the process feel more joined-up, especially if you’re working to a deadline.

2. Your Offer May Look Stronger to the Seller

If the agent is selling the property you want to buy, they’re also responsible for presenting offers to the seller.

If they’re selling your home too, they can show that you are:

• serious about moving

• already actively marketing your property

• likely to progress quickly

• less likely to withdraw

In competitive markets, this may help your offer stand out against other buyers.

3. Better Chain Management

UK property chains are a major cause of delays and fall-throughs.

A single agent managing both ends may be able to:

• spot problems early

• keep pressure on all parties

• reduce unnecessary delays

• keep buyers and sellers aligned

For many movers, this improves the chances of the sale reaching completion.

4. Greater Flexibility With Negotiation Timing

In some cases, using the same estate agent can help you agree compromises more easily, for example:

• adjusting completion dates

• handling negotiations around fixtures and fittings

• agreeing on realistic deadlines

This can be especially helpful if the chain is long or complex.

Cons of Selling and Buying Through the Same Estate Agent

1. The Biggest Risk: Conflict of Interest

This is the main concern for most buyers and sellers.

In the UK, the estate agent selling the property you want to buy is legally working for the seller, which means their priority is:

• Achieving the best price

• Securing the best terms

• Protecting the seller’s interests

So if you want to negotiate a lower price, you may understandably wonder:

“How can an estate agent help me get a good deal if they’re paid to get the seller the best price?”

Even if the agent is professional and fair, the goals of buyer and seller naturally conflict.

2. Pressure to Increase Your Offer

When buying through the same estate agent, you may hear:

• “You’ll need to increase your offer to secure it.”

• “There are other buyers interested.”

• “The seller won’t accept unless you come up.”

Sometimes this is true — but it can also be part of the negotiation strategy designed to maximise the seller’s price.

If you’re also using the agent to sell your home, you may feel less able to challenge the advice.

3. Pressure to Accept a Lower Offer on Your Own Property

This can happen when the agent wants to hold the chain together and keep the purchase moving.

You may be encouraged to accept a slightly lower offer because:

• it keeps your purchase “safe”

• it reduces the risk of delays

• it helps you proceed faster

But the risk is that you sacrifice your sale price unnecessarily — not because it’s best for you, but because it benefits the overall chain.

4. Too Much Focus on Speed Over Best Outcome

Estate agents are usually paid on completion, meaning their priority can become:

• getting the deal agreed quickly

• preventing renegotiation

• keeping all parties moving forward

That can be helpful, but it may also mean you feel pushed into decisions before you’ve fully considered them.

5. Sharing Too Much Information Without Realising

When one estate agent knows your sale and your purchase, you may accidentally reveal information that weakens your negotiating position, such as:

• your maximum budget

• how urgently you need to move

• what offer you would accept on your home

• how emotionally invested you are in the purchase

In property negotiations, information is power — and buyers should be cautious about revealing too much.

Is It Better to Use Different Estate Agents for Buying and Selling?

In many cases, yes, especially if:

• You want stronger independent negotiation.

• You’re trying to achieve the best possible sale price

• You don’t want pressure affecting your offer decisions

• The property you’re buying is overpriced

• You’re worried about fairness or transparency
  

Having different agents can ensure:

• your sale agent focuses only on maximising your sale price

• your purchase negotiations remain more balanced

• your interests are represented clearly and independently
  

When Selling and Buying Through the Same Agent CanBe a Good Idea

It may work well if:

• you trust the agent fully

• Communication is excellent

• The market is moving quickly

• You want speed and certainty more than “perfect price”

For some movers, peace of mind and reduced stress can outweigh the negotiation risks.

How to Avoid Problems If You Use the Same Estate Agent

If you do decide to sell your house through the same estate agent as the one selling the property you want to buy, these tips can protect you:

Set a Firm Budget Before You Negotiate

Decide your absolute maximum offer in advance and don’t be talked above it.

Get Valuation Advice From More Than One Agent

Even if you proceed with one, getting another opinion helps confirm the right pricing strategy.

Keep Negotiations Separate

Be clear when discussing your sale and when discussing your purchase — don’t let them blur together.

Don’t Feel Forced Into Using the Same Agent

Remember: you are not legally required to sell through the agent you’re buying from.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it a conflict of interest to use the same estate agent for buying and selling?

It can be, because the agent selling the property you’re buying has a duty to achieve the best price for their seller — which may conflict with your goal of getting the best deal.

Will using the same agent help my offer get accepted?

It may improve your credibility because the seller can see you’re actively selling and committed to moving, but the seller should still choose based on the best overall offer and buyer position.

Can an estate agent work for both sides in the UK?

The agent works for the seller. Even if they market your home too, they’re still negotiating on behalf of whichever client they represent in each transaction.

Final Thoughts: Should You Sell Through the Same Estate Agent?

Selling and buying through the same estate agent can offer:

• Smoother communication

• Improved chain control

• A stronger buying position

But it can also create:

• A conflict of interest

• Pressure to pay more

• Pressure to accept less

• Weaker negotiation outcomes

The best approach is to make the decision based on what protects your finances, your timeline, and your confidence, not because you feel pushed into it.

Speak to Blue Sky Estate Agents Today

At Blue Sky Estate Agents, we believe property decisions should be made with clarity — not pressure.

If you’re thinking of selling your home and want honest advice on your best next step, we’re happy to help.

📞 Contact us today for a friendly, no-obligation chat.