We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Switching estate Agents
danivtec
Posts: 85 Forumite
Hi
I have had my house on the market since last May and have not had much look despite viewings.
A couple of people have expressed interest but could not go any further as they had places to sell also.
I was thinking of switching estate agents as my tie in term with the current agent has gone and can give them 14 days notice to terminate their contract.
Has anyone done this and how did they go about switching eg giving agent notice in writing
Thanks
I have had my house on the market since last May and have not had much look despite viewings.
A couple of people have expressed interest but could not go any further as they had places to sell also.
I was thinking of switching estate agents as my tie in term with the current agent has gone and can give them 14 days notice to terminate their contract.
Has anyone done this and how did they go about switching eg giving agent notice in writing
Thanks
0
Comments
-
How many viewings? Do you have a link to your house?
There's usually an issue other than the EA, although your property will probably have gone stale in their minds and probably lost their interest. If you do change agents then you need to ensure you're addressing any problems with price or presentation before you move, or you'll have the same problem.
You could try changing things around a bit, dropping the price and asking your current agent back to take some fresh photos to refocus them?Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
0 -
I had my house on with estate agent A from the end of July last year. I had a steady stream of viewings but the feedback I always got was, yes they thought the house was lovely but they had either not got their house on the market or were trying to sell! I thought it would be a waste of time to change agents as the house was on rightmove and I assumed that most people like myself would be aware of all the agents in the area. However, I didn't hear a peep out of agent A from October to January so I went on with new agent B on 2nd January. They did three viewings, the first one put an offer in on a house like mine but end terraced, the second one was proceedable but didn't like my front door going straight into the living room, and the third viewers were first time buyers who have gone ahead with buying my house. I had three good viewers in a space of three weeks of going on with agent B! Agent A knew nothing of these people!0
-
I've done this. Its easy and was very effective for me.
Just give Agent A written notice in accordance with the contract terms. Get agent B tee'd up to start marketing from the termination date.
Do make sure that you get a list (in writing, on headed paper) from Agent A of the people they believe they have introduced to your property as you could still have to pay Agent A if any of these people finally buy your house within six months of you terminating your contract. Give the list to Agent B so that they know not to deal with them (or you could end up paying both agents).
As Doozergirl says there may well be other issues so please post a link so that we can[strike] rip it apart[/strike] offer helpful suggestions;) .0 -
I've done this. Its easy and was very effective for me.
Just give Agent A written notice in accordance with the contract terms.
Do make sure that you get a list (in writing, on headed paper) from Agent A of the people they believe they have introduced to your property as you could still have to pay Agent A if any of these people finally buy your house within six months of you terminating your contract. Give the list to Agent B so that they know not to deal with them (or you could end up paying both agents).
In addition to that, get the agent to confirm in writing the date they will cease marketing your property.0 -
I think, legally, this coincides with the date of termination of the contract, which should be stated in the OP's letter of termination.
It should coincide with the date of the letter of termination, but some people are confused as to when the termination can be given. Is it two weeks before the contract is due finish or two weeks after? (making an eight week contract effectivley ten weeks). By getting the EA to put it in writing the seller has a clear date, stated by the EA, that they are free to go elsewhere.0 -
The OP says the tie in period is up and that they just need to give 14 days notice so their letter should say 14 days from date of this letter.
For an eight week contract you should be able to give notice no later than the end of week six to terminate at the end of week eight.0 -
Thanks for your responses.
Only thing that concerns me is the fact that I may be liable to charges if someone they have "introduced" buys the house.
From memory the contract does not state a time limit after the house has been removed where you are liable for charges.
Any advice?0 -
Hi,
I've just given my agent two weeks written notice, have had the new agent round to give me valuation etc, and he will start marketing my house after 14 days is up, as my house has been on the market with the first agent since last april, before hips, and there is no break between the finish of first agent and start of second agent, at present, I don't need to have a hips done,....I hope this agent is better than the first, I have lost count at the number of timewasters I have had, we are moving after 19 years, our equity is now £200000, so hope to buy a house for cash, if ever we sell the house we're in.. Good luck to all you house sellers out there.0 -
Thanks for your responses.
Only thing that concerns me is the fact that I may be liable to charges if someone they have "introduced" buys the house.
From memory the contract does not state a time limit after the house has been removed where you are liable for charges.
Any advice?
It's generally six months but why would you care who sells it as long as only one agent gets paid. It's to protect you from having to pay both agents. The new agent should just check any enquirers against the list and politely refer them to the original agent. If the new agent tries to arrange viewings for someone on the list just point it out to them.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.3K Spending & Discounts
- 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards