Feeling bullied by EA

Charliestwins

Hi all,

Im sorry this is more a moan post as im so fed up.

We have been on the market since June 08 started at £164.950 ( about 5k over priced soon dropped tho) then went to 157.950, then 144k, then 139k then 134k and now 129.950. We brought it in Dec 03 for 117k and spent 10k on renovations (new windows, doors, decor and conservatory). We have been more than helpful with the ea's been to many meetings and dropped price without any issue when viewings have dwindled. We have had over 50viewings, but no offers, feedback all positive but the same point comes up every time ... dont like the idea of a private members club backing onto the garden.

Now to my point, despite all the effort, the bending over backwards to accommodate the most inconvenient of viewings, jumping when the ea's phone they have now for the last few weeks been phoning me telling me i need to drop more and i need to pay an extra £100 for basically laminated property details !! The branch manager had the cheek to tell me i wasnt a vendor willing to negotiate the market !! yet i have always been cheaper compared to house's of a similar nature. Im now priced the same as 2 beds which need work.

All this ea seems to want me to do is drop the price or pay them more.

Im getting really fed up with this selling thing now

thanks for the moan Charlotte

QTPie

Hi

Sorry about your situation - really nawsty if you want to "move on".

Looking at your price drops, you appear to have been "chasing the market down" (i.e. little cuts here and there).

As a buyer now (although was a seller until until we completed two weeks ago), I can sympathise with what your EA is saying. BUT it doesn't sound as though you have been unrealistic: you HAVE dropped the asking price of your property (albeit maybe not aggressively enough - I think that you really do need to "undercut" the market quite markedly) and sounds as though you have been very accomodating. Plus, there is no excuse for bullying...

If I was you, I would look at changing EA (I assume that it is the same EA you have had since last Summer?). Get 3/4 new EAs round to cast fresh eyes on your property, to quote what they think it is worth and to suggest how they would sell it for you. Then go from there. Some fresh blood/enthusiam from a new EA might do some good, plus new "quotes" might also help as a reality check.

Good luck

QT

princeofpounds

ummm... no problem?

I'm guessing that you aren't really looking for a reaction here, but if you'll forgive me taking the liberty...

£100 for laminated details?! That's a joke. You don't even need them and shouldn't be paying for marketing costs anyway (except perhaps an above-normal level of public advertising!). Sounds like they are just trying to get a bit of cash out of you to help their finances out.

As for the price? Well, it's probably not nice to hear but if there have been so many viewings and no sale it was mispriced at all points. Maybe you do still have to drop further.

But if you are unhappy with the estate agent, and given it has been so long, why not terminate the relationship in accordance with the T&Cs and go with someone else? They work for you, they should advise you, they should not make you feel bullied. You are their boss and not the other way around.

zone

Drop the agent, they are taking you for a ride. You have already reduced by £35k so its not as if you are not listening to them.

If you want to sell quickly and its been on the market coming up to a year you might need to slash the price heavily. £120k might do it. Are you in a decent neighbourhood? Anything you know of that might be putting off viewers?

besonders1

I think if you want to sell you have to carry out your own research. As other have said, find out what other sellers have their house priced at and undercut them. Selling in todays market is not like it was a year ago sadly, the prices were "unsustainable". I wouldn't chase the market downwards as you will lose more money this way, I would just accept your loses, get it sold and move on.

westv

Private members club? What is that? A strip joint or just a bowling green? What was it about the house that made you buy it? Did the club appear after you bought or has it been there all along?

QTPie

westv wrote: »

Private members club? What is that? A strip joint or just a bowling green? What was it about the house that made you buy it? Did the club appear after you bought or has it been there all along?

That is a point! I had assumed a "social club", but maybe it is a lap dancing joint... maybe a plus for young bachelors, but not so attractive for young families... :eek:

QT

wigglebeena

They've got a mate/contact who's got his eye on it. Probably taking a cut themselves.

chickmug

wigglebeena wrote: »

They've got a mate/contact who's got his eye on it. Probably taking a cut themselves.

Why do you think that?

symikins

Charliestwins wrote: »

Hi all,

Im sorry this is more a moan post as im so fed up.

We have been on the market since June 08 started at £164.950 ( about 5k over priced soon dropped tho) then went to 157.950, then 144k, then 139k then 134k and now 129.950. We brought it in Dec 03 for 117k and spent 10k on renovations (new windows, doors, decor and conservatory). We have been more than helpful with the ea's been to many meetings and dropped price without any issue when viewings have dwindled. We have had over 50viewings, but no offers, feedback all positive but the same point comes up every time ... dont like the idea of a private members club backing onto the garden.

Now to my point, despite all the effort, the bending over backwards to accommodate the most inconvenient of viewings, jumping when the ea's phone they have now for the last few weeks been phoning me telling me i need to drop more and i need to pay an extra £100 for basically laminated property details !! The branch manager had the cheek to tell me i wasnt a vendor willing to negotiate the market !! yet i have always been cheaper compared to house's of a similar nature. Im now priced the same as 2 beds which need work.

All this ea seems to want me to do is drop the price or pay them more.

Im getting really fed up with this selling thing now

thanks for the moan Charlotte

the way the market is they are not getting commision on any sales , so lf they can get you to drop and sell ...they get their commision ! they get crap pay without it ! l dont think any e/a really cares about your side of the deal . lm in the same situation so l do understand your frustration :grouphug:

Georgie4

Charliestwins wrote: »

Hi all,

Im sorry this is more a moan post as im so fed up.

We have been on the market since June 08 started at £164.950 ( about 5k over priced soon dropped tho) then went to 157.950, then 144k, then 139k then 134k and now 129.950. We brought it in Dec 03 for 117k and spent 10k on renovations (new windows, doors, decor and conservatory). We have been more than helpful with the ea's been to many meetings and dropped price without any issue when viewings have dwindled. We have had over 50viewings, but no offers, feedback all positive but the same point comes up every time ... dont like the idea of a private members club backing onto the garden.

Now to my point, despite all the effort, the bending over backwards to accommodate the most inconvenient of viewings, jumping when the ea's phone they have now for the last few weeks been phoning me telling me i need to drop more and i need to pay an extra £100 for basically laminated property details !! The branch manager had the cheek to tell me i wasnt a vendor willing to negotiate the market !! yet i have always been cheaper compared to house's of a similar nature. Im now priced the same as 2 beds which need work.

All this ea seems to want me to do is drop the price or pay them more.

Im getting really fed up with this selling thing now

thanks for the moan Charlotte

Presumably the contract you signed has long passed - get rid of this agent and go with someone else - get at least 3 other agents out and see who you feel comfortable with. If they are this bad with you then goodness know what type of thing they are telling prospective buyers about what you are willing to accept ! You are potentially paying these people and if they can't afford to do some laminating I would be seriously worried about their marketing ability:eek: