In Autumn 2018, we decided to sell our home. I asked a local auctioneer in Tramore if he would do a valuation, it was Barry Herterich of Property Partners in Tramore, Waterford. Barry arrived and chatted about the house and said he knew a lady who was looking for a house in our particular estate for quite a long time. Our estate is quite small (about 30 houses) but there had been a house in our estate for sale earlier in the year which had sold for €185,000. I asked Barry why she had not bought the other house earlier in the year and he said that this lady had limited means and could only afford €160000. He then turned around and promptly valued our house at €160000, hmmmm (seems a bit coincidental). He also proceeded to tell me that he would only charge me a 1% fee as there was no real selling involved in the house as the lady he knew would definitely buy it. I raised an eyebrow at this and said thanks but no thanks.

I wanted my house put on the open market to achieve the best price possible. As Barry Herterich of Property Partners in Tramore, Waterford was not willing to do this I contacted another auctioneer who valued the house at €190,000 and also only charged a 1% fee.

We finally went sale agreed at €179,000 in January 2019. Contracts were duly drawn up and sent to the purchasers solicitor. In the meantime, the bank that the purchasers were using sent an auctioneer to value the house. This would be standard practice. Unfortunately they chose Barry Herterich of Property Partners in Tramore. The bank would only issue the mortgage if the auctioneer states that the house is worth €179,000. Barry Herterich valued the house at €174,0000, meaning that the mortgage could not be issued.

Barry Herterich effectively blocked the purchasers from being able to draw down the mortgage. However, this was still workable as we could of negotiated on the price/payment terms. Barry Herterich would be fully aware of the consequences his actions would of had on the purchasers. To ensure that we did not find a workaround he decided to go a step further.

Barry Herterich rang the purchasers and told them that my house was in an awful area, full of social housing and that there was always trouble up there, amoungst other things. He advised them that it was really only worth €150,000 and they should bid €145,000. He completely turned them off the house and the area and they pulled out. I do not blame them one bit, they are young and not knowing any different believed the word of a “professional”.

Barry Herterich should of stepped down when asked to value my house by the bank as he had a vested interest in it.

Barry Herterich had no business ringing the purchasers to tell them lies and untruths.

Barry Herterich intentionally interfered with the selling of my home.

Barry Herterich is a member of the IPAV which has a code of conduct which he did not adhere to.

If Barry Herterich honestly believed that my house was genuinely only worth €174,000 then he should of submitted his paperwork and be done with it. Instead he deliberately and maliciously ensured that I and the purchaser would not exchange contracts.

I have told many people what he has done and the main question seems to be “Why, would someone do that”? My conclusion is simple. I believe that there is something wrong with him. What it is, I dont know-a warped, egotistical , narcissistic conscience would be one theory perhaps.

I cannot undo what he has done. I can only tell people my story and let them draw their own conclusion. I would strongly recommend not dealing with Barry Herterich to buy or sell a house.

This is my experience with the auctioneer and estate agent, Barry Herterich of Property Partners in Tramore, Waterford.