Bear Estate Agents Essex reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Would Not Recommend - Awful Service to 1st Time Buyers

We recently brought out first home with Bear (the Leigh on Sea office) and the whole experience with them has been extremely negative. We received no contact for weeks on end, we would continuously call and message and be ignored, given we were first time buyers we expected a lot more support and advice. We actually went two months without hearing from then, we was lucky we was in contact with the sellers as they was our only source of information. When we did get in contact they was rude and unhelpful, like we are bothering them for asking for updates. However this all changes quickly when an completion date was proposed, they gave us 6 days’ notice and the date was when they knew we was on holiday so we could not agree to this, they then continued to call us and tell us how disappointed the seller was, even though we was in contact with the sellers who were absolutely fine. The worst part is on the day we completed, we was waiting for the call to collect our keys, it got to 3pm with no contact so we had to call to which their response was 'oh your keys are here', so frustrating and unprofessional given we was waiting to move out all day, we actually found out the seller dropped the keys to them at 11am so it goes to show how useless they are. We have been in the property for 3 weeks now and have not heard a word from them, they haven't checked in to confirm if we actually moved in, and we still have the sold sign sitting outside as no one has contacted us to collect them. In addition, they take £250 when you have an offer accepted and advise they will reimburse you once you complete, they failed to pay us this back so we had to call and ask for this, do not forget to do this as they will keep your money!!

Rebecca · 11 August 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Bear Estates managed the sale of our…

Bear Estates managed the sale of our mum's bungalow in Hockley following her untimely passing. The team were both proffesional and sympathetic to our needs. They communicated in a timely and efficient manner keeping us fully informed at each stage of the sale.

Mal · 13 December 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Very Good Service

We found when buying from Bear Estates Hockley, Zoe Moore the sales progression advisor was really helpful and knowledgeable in keeping us up to date with phone calls and emails on our property purchase. Would highly recommend if you are looking to purchase a property

Mrs · 11 November 2024

★★★★★ 4/5

Trustpilot

Pro active

Pro active, regular communication, available with help through the whole process.

Chacha · 3 December 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

What can I say but seriously look into…

What can I say but seriously look into the reviews on Bear before you EVEN contemplate using them to buy or sell a property. I stupidly didn’t read the reviews until now and it seems everyone has the same experience. I can review on buying and selling with them and the games they play. Firstly selling, I started with Tony at the Leigh branch. Charm and decided to go for it. Always check the paperwork as what we agreed in person was not the same fee on the paperwork. Read it before you sign. After 2/3 weeks you will be told that you should lower the price as there has not been an interest as they thought there once would be. I’d like to add I put my property up with them when the business was at its highest. I lowered the price as I though they know there stuff. Then something told me this was not right. I got friends to call/email to arrange viewings and these leads were never followed through. No call backs so I questioned it and was told covid and maternity leave left them short staffed. I knew they took the Lion share of the market at that time but poor service and following from there was complaint after complaint. I was looking at purchasing a property with them and basically was told as I am buying and selling though them they hold all the cards and can manipulate this so I can get the house I wanted. Not what anyone who is also selling wants to hear. They even re-listed my property under their other branch so it came up as a new listing. Now buying with the Southend branch, wow I’m not sure where to start. From advising the seller that I’m not interested in them completing the installation of the shower door and splash back in the kitchen they would tell me one thing and the seller another. Luckily we had exchanged numbers and could sort all this out directly. But let’s say that 2 months since completion bear still haven’t contacted me to see if I have the keys to the property. Avoid avoid avoid.

Sarah · 25 May 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Helen at Bear has been amazing!

The team at Bear were fantastic!

Lydia · 8 January 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Amazing job

Sydney and the team were fantastic. Communication was excellent. Very helpful, couldn’t ask for more.

Ian · 2 November 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Saved the Day

Dealt with the staff mainly by phone and email, they have all ben extremely friendly and helpful.When things got tricky and our purchase was in danger of faltering Helen stepped in and saved the day convincing the vendor of the best way forward.Many thanks again.

Russ · 7 October 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Stay away from Bears Estate agent - very rude, unhelpful, shocking customer service

We bought a property in Southend. We were told that the seller had to move out by 12 noon on that day so we arranged removal van for 13.00 arrival at the property. As we arrived, we found out that the exchange was delayed therefore we cannot enter the property yet. The removal people had to leave all our stuffs outside of the property and my partner and I were waiting in the cold. We called Sydney, the negotiation person at the agent, multiple times to check when we do have the go ahead, whether she can meet us in the property to hand us the key as we are not driving and we do not know the town. She kept saying that she and the team were too busy and no one can deliver us the key.By that time, my partner and I were already waited in the cold for a couple of hours. As we were waiting outside, we noticed that the sellers were actually in the house. We called Sydney again to check if the sellers were inside and asked if she can liaise with them handing us the key. She said she'd left them a message. We also alerted our lawyer that the seller were in the property and the lawyer said they shouldn't be. Shortly after, the sellers walked out of the property, closing the door behind them and leaving the keys inside of the house. We called Sydney again for help as we were very cold and struggled to navigate the town to get to the office to collect the key. Again, she said she can't help. In the end, I had to cycle from the property for 45 minutes to the office to collect the key. We were new to town, moved from London. My phone was dying and I had to take my partner's phone for GPS. It was then getting dark and my father in law, who had my two year old baby, had already arrived the property. So I ordered a taxi from Bears' office to come back to find my in laws, my baby and my partner were all waiting outside in the cold for me to access the property. It was a sad scene to witness on a supposedly happy day of moving into a new property. I think this experience is appalling. I am a customer who paid a large amount for a property and was told they can't deliver me the key for my product and I had to navigate my way in a brand new town to collect the key on my bike, whilst already having waited in the cold for hours. My partner had to wait in the cold for hours watching our stuffs left by the removal people and he couldn't even go to the toilet or accept the offer of waiting inside by our neighbours. By the time we entered the property, it was already 16.30. It was dark, cold and we were hungry with a 2 year old baby needing attention, yet, we still need to unload everything by ourselves as the removal guys had gone. Perhaps it could have been avoided if your office cared enough to liaise with the seller so we can get in as the property was empty, the seller were just inside keeping warm. It was a long stressful day and I'm still shocked at how unsympathetic your team can be. Never mind I'm a customer, it's just not a normal human being should treat another human being. This is the second time I owned a property, the first time I bought my property I was certainly met and greeted by my property agent at the property and handed the key to me, saying thank you and welcome and congratulations. I really don't feel Sydney has valued me as a customer or a person, in fact, I feel being treated like a piece of garbage by her.When we complained, they were just being defensive and offered no apology. Really shocking customer service. Stay away from them. They might be nice to seller, but treated buyer very badly, at the end of the day , if you want a smooth transaction, don't go anywhere near them!!!

Shan · 3 February 2022

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Sold my flat with them

So helpful you deal with the same person all the time they keep you up to date and phone regularly to keep both parties up to date and the solicitors and chase for you if there’s any issues. Great job bear so glad l picked you for my sale.

Linda · 16 July 2024

★★★★★ 4/5

Trustpilot

Thanks to Zoe …

Would like to express gratitude to Zoe Moore, who helped us through a long stressful move. She communicated throughout and guided us through when we really needed it.Her patience , knowledge and warmth was so very much appreciated.All the skills you need for a top Sales Progressor. Thank you .

Juliet · 17 June 2024

★★★★★ 4/5

Trustpilot

Excellent communication

Excellent communication and sales progression once we accepted an offer.

Mark · 9 November 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

These estate agents are excellent at…

These estate agents are excellent at thier job and very committed to getting a sale and keep you updated. Any questions or queries I had were answered very quickly. Very professional and very friendly. I will be recommending them to anyone that wants to sell. I had a estate agent previous to using bear that were utterly useless.

Catherine · 18 December 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

I'm giving 5 Stars as the initial sale…

I'm giving 5 Stars as the initial sale of my house and communication was first class. We encountered a problem amdnit was solved, very friendly and very professional. Due to the timing of my sale I feel that making them lower would be unfair. The world was trying to get completion before the 30th June and Helen the aftersales professional was obviously overwhelmed with people calling in to chase their own individual sale. Helen never said this but I feel she could have done with some help,it seemed she had to deal with everyone and everything which left me a little frustrated. But she always returned my call. Whether it was because of the stamp duty or not, maybe the work load could have been shared more, or even get another Helen on board although if after sales are normally OK then either with another Helen customer satisfaction would go up or she would have a better work life balance. My thoughts only and as I said it may have just been because of the stamp duty coming to an end

Wayne · 13 July 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Bear estates the only estate agent you should use

I can not praise Bear estate agents enough for making my house sale and move so stress free, from the start they have been helpfully profesional approchable and above all friendly and kept me informed all the way, thank you so much Bear for everthing i would highly reccomend Bear estates 🙂

Amanda · 27 February 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Made for a poor first time buyer experience

We bought our first home through Bear, and it was incredibly stressful overall.

Caitlin · 27 August 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Abysmal Performance

I registered with this agent and viewed a property, there was an anomaly on the lease, I asked the agent and he said he would get back to me. I heard nothing. They advertised another property and I organised a viewing with them. I turned up, they didnt, I phoned and the appointment was for the NEXT WEEK! They did not make that clear, and were unconcerned. Said they sent me a text. Never have had such bad service from any estate agent.

Bill · 8 August 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Efficient and honest

Efficient and honest, no unrealistic promises or valuations. As I was selling a vacant property, they managed all the viewings for me and kept me up to date with developments on the sale. I would recommend them.

Consumer · 27 September 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

I had a great experience selling through Bear - would definitely recommend! We had a long chain with a lot of moving parts but were provided with regular, detailed updates which really helped us to feel relaxed and confident throughout the process.

Lauren · 27 June 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Google

Really great estate agents. Can't thank them and Megan enough for all the help with me buying my first home. :)

Samuel · 28 April 2025

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Best around

I'm delighted to give Bear Estate Agents a well-deserved 5-star review. Their exceptional customer service played a crucial role in selling our house. The entire process was incredibly seamless and easy, thanks to their kind, helpful, and highly professional team. I highly recommend their services to everyone looking for a knowledgeable and efficient real estate experience.

Louis · 30 August 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Communication is abysmal.

I was buying a home being sold by Bear (Leigh On Sea offices) and want to warn anyone else that their communication is absolutely dire. In the end I contacted the seller directly as Megan never returned my emails or calls. Abysmal.

Ellie · 13 June 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Bear is a must if you want a fantastic estate agents

This is my second time buying/selling with Bear. All I can say is the team are fantastic! Sydney, Ricky and everyone at Bear are knowledgable, open, honest, fair and have made the process much easier for me. House sold in 4 days, responsive, quick to action what more could you want!

L · 14 November 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

The team were excellent throughout.

Mr · 18 September 2025