I reckon there has been more sales in December

neverdespairgirl

LydiaJ wrote: »

I agree NDG. Some EAs list loads of details, floorplans, room dimensions, pictures, etc - all the stuff you want to know to decide that you're interested in finding out more, or alternatively that it doesn't tick some of your basic boxes and you're not interested. Others don't give you any info worth having at all.

As well as all that, it's useful to know council tax band, and service charges (for flats).

I don't hate EAs either.

neverdespairgirl

Darth_Marty wrote: »

Thats fair enough and all valid points.
Still as in all walks of life you get poorly trained staff or even incompetent staff, I would say the level of hate is still too high for just that, there must be something else?

I don't hate EAs.

LilacPixie

Darth_Marty wrote: »

Is it only stupid people that dislike Estate Agents?

I dislike liars.

There is a line between doing their best to sell a home for a client and down right lying. I wouldn't say I hate them but i certainly think the vast majority would struggle to know the truth if it hit them over the head with a base ball bat.

Example from rightmove http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-20243560.html?pageNumber=7&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FlocationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E452%26maxPrice%3D200000%26index%3D60&locationIdentifier=REGION^452&radius=0.0&maxPrice=200000

This well presented and tastefully decorated Maisonette is situated within a block of similar style properties situated in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Dundee. Divided over two floors, the property features 3 bedrooms, family bathroom, lounge with separate dining area and newly fitted breakfasting kitchen, the property further benefits from a newly completed refurbishment with new decoration, flooring and joinery work as well as having electric heating and double glazing making it a credit to its owners. Deceptively spacious, this excellently presented property will appeal to first time or investment buyers, or those wishing to downsize to an easily maintained and homely property.

this flat is located right in the centre of a sink council estate. Ambulance/fire brigade have refused to enter this estate without a police escort. The majority of these blocks are council owned and are inhabited by basically junkies. The lovely snowy scene in picture 7 is actually where a huge great multi story block of flats stood until demolition about 4 years ago. this has been earmarked for further social housing. This area has many many problems and describing it as quiet bares no resemblance to the truth.

[Deleted User]

4 new solds around here
2 remain unsold

mean_momma

Darth_Marty wrote: »

Thats fair enough and all valid points.
Still as in all walks of life you get poorly trained staff or even incompetent staff, I would say the level of hate is still too high for just that, there must be something else?
I hate bad customer service myself, if someone turned up late or was rude or really scruffy id walk away. Manners are all important as well, as has been mentioned arrogance is a failing of lots of estate agents and in many cases its completely senseless, they are merely salespeople at the end of the day.

So yes, ill give you all of those but I still feel that in a lot of cases people vent against estate agents simply because it is such an expensive and stressful time.

My experience of estate agents is that the minute there is a housing boom and new staff are taken on to cope with the demand, standards drop. It is unfortunate that the company noted for brilliant particulars, plans, etc often has the most pushy sales people, hungry for commission.

FoxtonsRIP

mean_momma wrote: »

It is unfortunate that the company noted for brilliant particulars, plans, etc often has the most pushy sales people, hungry for commission.

You don't by any chances mean Foxtons, do you?

FoxtonsRIP

Darth_Marty wrote: »

So then what is it that so irritates people about estate agents?

Please explain as I really dont know.

They almost always greasy, slimey dishonest types. Their own Mothers don't even like them. I hope this helps.

ryandj

Darth_Marty wrote: »

From personal experiences I have had good experiences whilst both buying and selling. Is it only stupid people that dislike Estate Agents? Use them as an excuse because they havent done their homework? I would say thats a big part of it.

I can generally see right through an estate agents b/s, but that is the main thing that annoys me about them. They will play on stupid/gullible/ naive people - both buyers and sellers - to ensure they get their commission.

Also, the EA does work for the vendor, true. But realistically, they do not have the vendors best interests at heart. An EA might get, what, 1% commission on a house... so on a £100,000 house that gives them £1K. Are they really going to put in much effort to sell the house at the highest price possible - say £105,000 - to get a measly £50 extra commission, or are they going to try their best to sell the house quickly, by encouraging the buyer and vendor to think the best price is maybe £95,000?

So, basically - the EA does not work for the vendor, they work for their commission!!

Conrad

C & G have been choc a bloc throughout the crunch, entirely due to the fact they have continued to lend in a landscape where many many lenders have either shut down, or severly restricted lending.

As for the busy EA, take that with a large pinch o salt. Over the years I've come to realise there are always those EA's and brokers that possess (sp - cant be @rsed) a misplaced sense of optimism.

GDB2222

Conrad wrote: »

C & G have been choc a bloc throughout the crunch, entirely due to the fact they have continued to lend in a landscape where many many lenders have either shut down, or severly restricted lending.

As for the busy EA, take that with a large pinch o salt. Over the years I've come to realise there are always those EA's and brokers that possess (sp - cant be @rsed) a misplaced sense of optimism.

It is worth noting that mortgage lenders and EAs have reduced staffing levels, so even a modest upturn may make the remaining staff feel very busy. Interest rates have been reduced a lot in the last couple of months, so it's not surprising if people are being more active, even though prices are still set to fall further.