First time seller

[oracleslave]

And where will you store the guns and knives that you need to defend yourself in big bad London, eh?

I just hoodies

David

[Churchill]

Down Sarf. But if you're taking real estate advice from RRH then I may have to renege as you wouldn't be fit to live down here.

Well, I got a PM from Jonners this morning saying he wasn't the tit who faked his own death.

He does look identical though.

He must be a Doppelwanka! That's the term I believe...

[Lockhouse]

I'm currently paying just under 1.5% for the agent to sell my property. It's leasehold so you have to spend a little more on the HIP. IIRC mine's around £600ish. A solicitor will compile one for you.

Private message me if you want my solicitor's details, she's a property specialist and HIP expert, very reliable and very good value.

[Moscow Mule]

You shouldn't really be paying more that 1/1.25% in the current market - agents are desperate for stock.

You should also read the contract very carefully. Nasty estate agent tricks include;

1) Tie in (sole agent)period for 8 or more weeks.
2) You having to pay before completion/on exchange.
3) Tying you to/suggesting a solicitor in their pocket.

If you were happy with the service from the solicitor you used to buy the place, go with them again. They may even offer a discount for repeat business.

[ratewhore]

A veritable palace. I'll do you a straight swap for my garage here in Cambridge.

I wouldn't bother. It'll be under water sometime this week...


HTH

[MrRobin]

Thanks for all the tips. I was expecting about 1% so hopefully can get that with a bit of haggling.

I certainly wasn't happy with the solicitor when moving in so atleast that's one to strike off the list.

[Sockpuppet]

[QUOTE=Lockhouse;483704]HIP expertQUOTE]


How the hell can anyone be a "HIP expert" they haven't been around for long enough.

Richard

[tim123]

Agency fees vary from 1% to 2.5% (in London)
HIPS are a standard fee irrespective of the size of the property- approx £400 if you pay right now or the deferred option is £450.
.

Or you can DIY for less.

You don't need to pay some numpty to put together a pack of details obtained from someone else, you can do the "putting together" bit yourself.

Though I found some people offering a HIP for as low as 269. Quite how they can do this I don't know, some LAs charge that much just for their local search.

tim

[Lockhouse]

How the hell can anyone be a "HIP expert" they haven't been around for long enough.

Richard

She's obviously modelled her blurb on your CV.

[Bagpuss]

So a few years back I became a first time buyer (of property) and found a wealth of information and free advice for my situation on the net. Now I am about to be a first time seller and can't really find all that much unbiased and free info at my disposal. Since many of you are seasoned ladder climbers, could you give me a few pointers?

How much should I expect to pay in agent fees? (% or fixed?)
How much is a HIP & where do I get one?
Any good sellers guides you know of on the internet

Sorry for the noddy questions...

TIA

There is little need for an agent these days, all they do is answer the queries from the people who search on rightmove etc. Estate agents are mainly cowboys. So why not use http://www.houseweb.co.uk/house/sell/view.html