Choosing an Estate Agent

[Gros]

Thinking of putting my property on the market. (I know, but please, no ironic remarks about the economy!).

Does anyone have much experience dealing with different estate agents? I'm wondering:

- Is there going to be much difference between them when it comes to their fee?

- Does it really matter which one I go with, seeing as the property will end up on Rightmove and Findaproperty regardless?


I'd really liked to have handled the whole thing myself (like on Houseweb) but that whole idea never really seemed to take off, surprisingly. Plus, we could be in a rush so probably better to get maximum visibility.

[DimPrawn]

Some specialise (eg. larger, prestigious property, some 1st time buyer property) and are probably a better bet. A local estate agent that specialises tend to be the best.

With the market effectively dead in the water, I'm not sure most estate agents will be much interested in another property they won't be able sell.

If you need to sell quick, you are going to get fook all for it.

[chicane]

- Does it really matter which one I go with, seeing as the property will end up on Rightmove and Findaproperty regardless?

This was the first thought that entered my mind, but you might also want to consider the following:

a) Whether the estate agent demands exclusive rights to market your property;
b) Whether their terms and conditions demand a minimum tie-in period;
c) What fee they'll be taking for the sale of your property and what (if any) legal services are included;
d) Whether they'll be able to show people around your house, or they'll expect you to do so.
e) The level of experience of the person that'll be negotiating with potential buyers - this can save you a lot of hassle.
f) Whether they can take photos that show your house in the best light - some estate agents take some really crap photos.

There's tons of other stuff to consider but this will give you enough to chew on for now.

[Bagpuss]

Why pay an estate agent? most of them charge a fortune for a very poor service. They send around a 17 year old spotty faced school dunce to take a couple of photos, spend ten minutes fabricating some cliche ridden blurb and then post the photos on Rightmove et al for £50, and place an ad in the local press once a month if you are lucky. For this blinding service you get charged an average of 3k. You even have to show prosepective buyers around yourself most of the time.

Many buyers these days simply search the net for homes. So why not save yourself some money and a lot of bother. I did and achieved 10k more than the agent I sacked could get me.

http://www.houseweb.co.uk/

[TimberWolf]

Why pay an estate agent? most of them charge a fortune for a very poor service. They send around a 17 year old spotty faced school dunce to take a couple of photos, spend ten minutes fabricating some cliche ridden blurb and then post the photos on Rightmove et al for £50, and place an ad in the local press once a month if you are lucky. For this blinding service you get charged an average of 3k. You even have to show prosepective buyers around yourself most of the time.

Many buyers these days simply search the net for homes. So why not save yourself some money and a lot of bother. I did and achieved 10k more than the agent I sacked could get me.

http://www.houseweb.co.uk/

Nice idea, but when trying out a broad search in my area, it only turned up a few houses which means I probably wouldn't bother to go there again. A bit strange considering they claim to link to 350 other sites (maybe not big ones, such as Rightmove).

[Bagpuss]

Nice idea, but when trying out a broad search in my area, it only turned up a few houses which means I probably wouldn't bother to go there again. A bit strange considering they claim to link to 350 other sites (maybe not big ones, such as Rightmove).

You can buy a package for circa £100 that puts you on rightmove and several others.

[DimPrawn]

You can buy a package for circa £100 that puts you on rightmove and several others.

Which ones put you on RightMove for a £100 package? My understanding is RightMove is only for classic estate agents to use.

Linky please.

[Bob Dalek]

I recommend Hatched. Cheap & it works. Your property also gets advertised on RightMove. Other DIY set-ups don't. Hatched is, in reality, an agency, but at a rock bottom price.

[sunnysan]

Estate Agents

Whatever you do do not go anywhere near F4x50s.

You have been warned

[DimPrawn]

Whatever you do do not go anywhere near F4x50s.

You have been warned

Is that a moped?