paulr

Hi,

Has anyone any general advice on choosing an estate agent to sell a house.

thanks
Paul.

Coffin Dodger

Cheapest isn't always best.

Look at your local paper, see what their adverts are like, pick a few that look good and then get them round for some quotes, then play them off against each other for the cheapest deal.

Rightmove, Primelocation etc. are vital so make sure they list on all the usual web sites. Doubt there are many around that don't.

Remember they are desperate for business at the moment so make them work for it

stilover

Unless you're giving your house away, it won't matter which Estate agent you use. Nothings selling as people know house prices are falling. So why buy now when next month it's worth less than what you paid for it?

d5hof

My advice would be to stick to a reputable independent estate agent...they put in a lot more effort esp in this market...I know because I used to be an estate agent until about 3 months ago!

Hope it helps

Shof

douglasb

Don't necessarily go with the one who values the house highest. They'll come up with a high value to get your business but without any chance of achieving that price. Ask them for examples of similar houses that they have sold recently and the prices actually achieved.

(and the easy way to tell when they are lying is to see their lips move )

David Lock

Agree with that. And, of course, one that knows the area you're selling in. Go and have a chat with a few and choose one that you like. Might as well be dealing with someone you get on with

Perhaps you could update us on sale every couple of years

HankScorpio

Going exclusive will get better rates but don't sign up exclusive for any length of time.
Give them 4 weeks max so if they're not doing what you want, you can get shot

NotoriousREV

If you're also house hunting, which one is sending you the most house specs, which were the most helpful when you went in? Which is the one you felt most likely to buy from?

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

Where would you go to look for a house?

if you go on the high st where they all are then go with the cheapest

PaulC72

who is doing well in the area , how many boards do they have outside houses, the values they are up for.

Get 3 round and haggle the fees pick one or 2 and give them a try.

MickeyTake

Best way is to go onto the books of them all - as a BUYER ........ a CASH BUYER!!

Tell them you are buying and don't need/want to sell.

You will get some Agents who are keen as mustard who chase you to buy, non-stop ...... others just sit on their rears waiting for the market to come to them, as it always used to!

Get the chasers around and appoint them ..... pay them what they want and they will work twice as hard for you (bigger commission, see?)

s1lko

On the flipside, the largest corporates with multiple offices are often networked. So you could have more offices and staff introducing your property to potential buyers. Plus, they usually have more spending power when it comes to marketing. I used to be an estate agent too (although I rarely admit it)...

Why not mystery shop a few? Get a feel for how well they qualify buyers and how they describe the properties. Do they encourage you to view any of them, do they follow up any of the details they gave you, etc.

When looking at who's got the most boards, ignore the for sale ones and concentrate on the ones that say SOLD. After all, that's what you want isn't it?

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions...

dunx

iTrader: (3)

If you know the area pick one in a feeder zone, mine was up for 8 weeks in the village.... Nothing, swapped to one in a cafe-bar/studenty area that peeps would aspire to leaving as they grew up and bingo first viewing = sold.

HTH

DunxC

paulr

Okay thanks. What about the suggestion of asking each one for last months sales figures. Could you expect an honest answer?

(I've got 4 visits planned tomorrow.)

s1lko

By all means, ask. But I'd take anything they say with a pinch of salt. Make sure they talk about actual completions, rather than just sales agreed. In this market, I'd imagine there are some very shaky sales happening.

Make sure you ask them HOW they will sell your house. What papers will it go in, and how often? You'll often find it only goes in once and doesn't reappear until after you've had that call to say you need to drop the price in line with the market.

What websites will it be on? Make sure it's the ones people actually use and not just their own (especially if you chose an independent).

Also, ask them if they have anybody (in a position to proceed) who is looking for your type of property. If they say yes, why not offer a one-off viewing at an agreed fee should a sale result from it? That way you can call their bluff if they're having you on, without being tied into a lengthy contract.

paulr

Is that worth a try.What about ringing all the local estate agents offering this option. 50% of the normal fee if they have someone waiting and the sale go's through.

paulr

Anyone tried it.

lozgti

We tried various agents.They were all rubbish in my view.

See client,

agree %,

measure with laser,

prepare leaflet and stick board up

Sit back and wait for enquiries from right move hits to come in.

Periodically write to client advising how many hits on rightmove.

Have a frenzy of activity shouting at all the lawyers when contracts are exchanged begging for your fee.

I'm sorry but just content yourself with the fact that at least people look at Rightmove and good luck!

s1lko

An an estate agency, we often did it - usually on the proviso they agreed to a sold board if the buyers wentr for it. They were generally in areas we wanted to gain presence in or on main routes in the area.

It didn't always work, but most sellers appreciated the thinking and stuck with us for a normal contract.

NotoriousREV

Crikey, our estate agent didn't even do the last 2 and they still got £2500. In fact, when we fell out with our buyers they didn't do anything even though it nearly cost them 2 sales (ours and the person we were buying off).