Choosing estate agent - independent or countrywide?

huntersc

chickmug wrote: »

In what way??

Not that I would advocate going with a bigger agent per se, I can think of a number of reasons.

One observation from experience, many smaller independent agencies can be very sloppy and lazy. The larger agencies are generally better drilled. For example, I have called about 20 agencies in the past month. The larger ones would answer the phone quickly, deal with the enquiry promptly and there would always be someone to speak with. 'Some' of the smaller agencies didn't answer the phone, answer emails, couldn't find someone to deal with my questions properly, never called back, you know, generallly sloppy behaviour.

In fact, I walked into one and was told that the person that had the information on the property I was looking at was ill/had the day off and could they come back to me in a couple of days. Do the same thing in a larger EA and they open up the system and bingo, there's the info.

However, saying all that I would be more likely to go with a smaller independent EA myself. You just need to be careful about choosing the right one and making sure they're hungry for the business and can service it properly.

nickelodeon

Thanks for your responses everyone, I'm going to go with the independent, decided I should go with the one I trust the most!

Also after looking at the brochures after the estate agents left, we realised that the two countrywide agents that came round are actually part of the same group and yet both mentioned they are in direct competition with each other, so if they aren't going to refer buyers to each other, why would offices in other areas!?

All four agents came up with valuations within £5k of each other, so don't think any were trying anything on with too high/low valuations.

I'll let you know how it goes!

nickelodeon

bubblesmoney wrote: »

i am a FTB, to be honest i hadnt heard about rightmove till sometime ago. i just used to buy the local newspapers and see the www.propertytoday.co.uk supplement that comes with local papers and used to think this covered all available houses in the area apart from some exclusively marketted on EA websites. it was purely by chance i came across the rightmove website, maybe i saw rightmove mentioned on this website (MSE).

so it might be a good idea to advertise separately on www.propertytoday.co.uk as many FTBs i know have always looked on the same websites / supplement that comes with the local papers or on their website, none of the FTBs i know mentioned rightmove to me and all were very well placed in terms of deposit and ability to get mortgage etc, it was purely chance that i came across rightmove website which i find very useful. not all FTBs might be clued on. so best to advertise on propertytoday website as well especially if u r marketing ur property at FTBs. personally i hadnt registered with any EA till a couple of months ago as i didnt know i had to register my interest with them. i just assumed i was supposed to look up the advertisements in newspapers etc and contact them. guess my ignorance was a hangover from how things worked in other countries regarding property sales.

Bubblesmoney, I was really surprised by your message, I thought everyone used rightmove, it was pretty much the only place I looked when I was a first time buyer 3 years ago! I don't think I looked in a single paper!

But maybe it depends on where in the country you live, I did a search on www.propertytoday.co.uk and there is only one property in farnham listed? But the estate agents do advertise in the local paper so hopefuly that will cover anyone looking at the paper and not on the internet.

Thanks for your insight!

chickmug

mumoftwins wrote: »

I have worked for both independent Estate Agents and nationals. The fact that the nationals have more offices makes absolutley no difference as people who want to buy in Farnham will look at agencies in Farnham. As other posters have said with the introduction of Rightmove it makes things a lot easier for the would be purchaser to check areas.

I would go for the independent as he needs to earn his money to keep the business running, there is no cash injection into his office like there is with a corporate.

Glad to hear you have had expereince of both and I know (I am a smaller EA) but it really is true. Don't we know it when we have to link in with other EA's, because of chains, around the counrty and I detest when we have to talk to the 'progress chaser' who only works mornings, then we get through and find they only check that files between 9-11 each Thursday.

Folks on here would not believe the pitiful lack of experience when handling their sale with some of the big boys.

mumoftwins

chickmug wrote: »

Glad to hear you have had expereince of both and I know (I am a smaller EA) but it really is true. Don't we know it when we have to link in with other EA's, because of chains, around the counrty and I detest when we have to talk to the 'progress chaser' who only works mornings, then we get through and find they only check that files between 9-11 each Thursday.

Folks on here would not believe the pitiful lack of experience when handling their sale with some of the big boys.

I know exactly what you mean! I was a Progress Chaser for a large firm of EA and I only worked 3 days a week for 6 hours a day, but more often than that I went in for an extra day and even took phone numbers home with me and gave out my mobile number as I couldn't bear to think of people being left waiting until I next came in. I could only work those hours due to my children therefore I was also happy to 'work' from home whilst off to ensure that things went smoothly. Needless to say I didn't get paid for the extra hours I worked!!

chickmug

mumoftwins wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean! I was a Progress Chaser for a large firm of EA and I only worked 3 days a week for 6 hours a day, but more often than that I went in for an extra day and even took phone numbers home with me and gave out my mobile number as I couldn't bear to think of people being left waiting until I next came in. I could only work those hours due to my children therefore I was also happy to 'work' from home whilst off to ensure that things went smoothly. Needless to say I didn't get paid for the extra hours I worked!!

Thanks and it shows YOU WERE doing a good job but that sadly has not been my experience. One girl at one branch, of a large EA rang on the Friday, then same offcie another girl rang on the next Monday (after the weekend) and I said we had already updated on the chain but went through it again, then yet another girl from the same office rang the next day (Tuesday) by which time I was not amused.

valcarmichael

chickmug wrote: »

In what way??

mainly by employing qualified representives with ethics.