selling and separating

tango

Hi i am separating from my husband,we are putting the house up for sale. I know how stressful selling is at the best of times,can anyone give advice regards to tell or not to the estate agent.
Also what is the minimum time you are allowed to give the estate agent to sell your house,time is an issue,and we need the house sold ASAP.
Any general advice appreciated

wigginsmum

I'm sure the estate agent and any prospective buyers will want to know why you're selling and where you're going afterwards; at the very least they'll be looking at potential delays to the process. Personally, I'd tell them the truth - it won't be something they haven't heard before.

On minimum timings I think that's really up to the two of you. Be prepared to drop the selling price if you want more chance of a quick sale.

tango

wigginsmum wrote:

I'm sure the estate agent and any prospective buyers will want to know why you're selling and where you're going afterwards; at the very least they'll be looking at potential delays to the process. Personally, I'd tell them the truth - it won't be something they haven't heard before.

On minimum timings I think that's really up to the two of you. Be prepared to drop the selling price if you want more chance of a quick sale.

Thanks,regarding time to sell,i have always had two or three months contracts,could i ask for one month?

wigginsmum

It's worth a try; I don't know whether they offer one-month contracts. I'd advise using one or more who advertise houses on rightmove.co.uk. It's in the agent's interests to get a quick sale for you as they want their commission, and it's the right time of year to be thinking of selling.

AndrewSmith

Hi Tango,

Having been in exactly the same situation not too long ago I can completely understand what you are going through.

My advice is this:

Be completely open and honest with the Agent.
Insist that they do all the viewings when you are not in the house. Buyers find it a little awkward being shown round a house by one of the separating partners.
Tell the agent you want a quick sale, and ask him to be brutally honest what you need to do to acheive the sale. Once he tells you what is needed, take his advice and do it.

Also insist that he bring the sales negotiator responsible for conducting the viewings round to your house before he has a viewing. This will allow him to familiarise himself with your home, and know which door leads where before he opens it.

Negotiate the fee to incentivise him to sell quickly , eg:
Sale in 0-4 weeks 1.5%
Sale in 4-6 weeks 1.25%
Sale in 6-8 weeks 1.00%
After 8 weeks you will change agents.

Tell the agent you want a tie in of no more than 4 weeks.

If they do not agree to this then simply say "Thanks, I will use a different agent then."

Also, if you use the steps as above the agent will become enthused about your home, especially if he sees you doing exactly what he has suggested to the house to get the sale.

The best and quickest sales are acheived when the Vendor and Agent work together as a team. Get at least 3 agents round initially and commit to nothing on the day. You will select the agent you choose to sell your home only after considering them all.

Any more help needed, dont hesitate to ask.

Best of luck.

Andy

tango

Thanks so much Andrewsmith,i will print off your reply,and make sure i know what to say,we are mortgaged to the hilt,with a hefty penalty, i think we will clear this. But we won't come out with much else :rolleyes: