estate agents and how to tell if they are any good

googler

I could NAME about 50 or so, but can't say I KNOW them, or their policies with regard to printed materials and charges for same.

Gwhiz

chickmug wrote: »

How many do you know;)

Well let's see. Since 1991 I have bought and sold approximately 7 houses, in 3 counties and formed relationships with about 15 agents (although not used them all). In that time I have "paid" only twice for brochures. The cheapest I sold was £250K and the most expensive was for over £1m and neither cost me a penny in brochures.

Next question please!

googler

No further questions; I can't think of any agents in my locale who don't print brochures as a standard part of their service. As far as I know, all charge the clients for them, whether as an item or as part of a standard fee.

Your initial statement was that the cheaper houses didn't need brochures, now you say you only paid twice - did the agents roll the cost of brochures into their fee in other cases? Surely they must have all printed something for their windows as well....?

Gwhiz

googler wrote: »

No further questions; I can't think of any agents in my locale who don't print brochures as a standard part of their service. As far as I know, all charge the clients for them, whether as an item or as part of a standard fee.

Your initial statement was that the cheaper houses didn't need brochures, now you say you only paid twice - did the agents roll the cost of brochures into their fee in other cases? Surely they must have all printed something for their windows as well....?

The agents that did charge did roll the price into the fee once sold - so no up-front fees. The others just do basic paper sales brochures - from 2 to 6 pages with photos and house details - and they include this as a service paid from their commission. Whilst I agree that SOME agents always insist on a glossy brochure costing anything from a few hundred to a few thousand, I have never had an issue selling a house without one so typically will say "no thanks". As I said in my earlier post - if it's a mega property then that's probably what a buyer MAY want to see BUT even at prices of £1M plus it's never been an issue.

Oh.. and that was another question

googler

Gwhiz wrote: »

Oh.. and that was another question

I know. Oops.

chickmug

Gwhiz wrote: »

Well let's see. Since 1991 I have bought and sold approximately 7 houses, in 3 counties and formed relationships with about 15 agents (although not used them all). In that time I have "paid" only twice for brochures. The cheapest I sold was £250K and the most expensive was for over £1m and neither cost me a penny in brochures.

Next question please!

I was asking googler with a wink;)

Not meant to be a serious or even slightly offensive question.

So next question - anything good on the tele tonight;)

chickmug

Gwhiz wrote: »

The agents that did charge did roll the price into the fee once sold - so no up-front fees. The others just do basic paper sales brochures - from 2 to 6 pages with photos and house details - and they include this as a service paid from their commission. Whilst I agree that SOME agents always insist on a glossy brochure costing anything from a few hundred to a few thousand, I have never had an issue selling a house without one so typically will say "no thanks". As I said in my earlier post - if it's a mega property then that's probably what a buyer MAY want to see BUT even at prices of £1M plus it's never been an issue.

Oh.. and that was another question

My experience with the dearer properties is that the sellers can be as tight with their money as any other group. They will try and get you to do extra advertising, posher brochures, professional photographers but expect it within the first fee quoted. Most will stay with the standard brochure when you explain the extra costs involved. Having said that our usual brochure was multi page and could get in up to 22 colour shots.

Sorry but there was no way I would outlay the costs of the posher brochure unless some payment was made, to us, as a signal of seriousness and good faith. Too many of these, overly expectant types, wanted to try it on a far too high price so reducing the chances of an early, or even medium term, sale and our being able to recover the outlay.

Gwhiz

chickmug wrote: »

I was asking googler with a wink;)

Not meant to be a serious or even slightly offensive question.

So next question - anything good on the tele tonight;)

Oh I know it was not aimed at me

Gwhiz

chickmug wrote: »

My experience with the dearer properties is that the sellers can be as tight with their money as any other group. They will try and get you to do extra advertising, posher brochures, professional photographers but expect it within the first fee quoted. Most will stay with the standard brochure when you explain the extra costs involved. Having said that our usual brochure was multi page and could get in up to 22 colour shots.

Sorry but there was no way I would outlay the costs of the posher brochure unless some payment was made, to us, as a signal of seriousness and good faith. Too many of these, overly expectant types, wanted to try it on a far too high price so reducing the chances of an early, or even medium term, sale and our being able to recover the outlay.

I agree totally. If a seller is happy to have/wants a brochure they should pay for it. My comment was mainly aimed at whether they are really needed or not.

chickmug

Gwhiz wrote: »

Oh I know it was not aimed at me

I am just making sure I am always polite which I am:cool:

That is until someome says something that makes me mad. Usually because some opinionated posters give debatable advice or throw in their sarcastic comments without helping the OP's.