Estate Agent Fees for boards upfront???

dthediva

Has it always been the case that you have to pay your estate agent £200 in advance for boards etc??? I cant remember it being that way when i sold my last house!!! I am considering selling up but only if i get an acceptable offer, if i dont i wont, simple as that......but as i am considering it as i am struggling by myself..then obviously i cannot afford £200 in the first place..........Anyone know an Agent that doesnt charge this upfront?? failing that does anyone want to move in?? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

dthediva

Oh i am in Carrick BTW

Noz

It's variable according to the agency, I wouldn't be able to name one for certain but definitely worth asking around.

tinkerbell81

Yes this has always been the case. They are refered to as either an 'registration charge' or an 'advertising charge'. It covers all of the outlays an agent incurs by putting your property on the market ie brochures, pictures, board, advertising (property news etc).

I know it can seem a lot, but especially in todays climate agents need to ask for this upfront as it would be unfair for them to cover this cost especially as it may take months for the property to sell.

Do shop around though as these can vary greatly from agent to agent, though O would ask the agent what exactly their registration fee covers as an agents fee might be cheaper than another agents, but the advertising offered might be budget and the cheaper agent may be cutting corners. On average the charge is between £150 & £200 + VAT.

Hope this helps and good luck with your sale.

rjh090384

i ddint ahv eto pay mine upfront with my agent.but it will be added onto my bill should they ever sell my house lmao

Witless

We had to pay upfront (15 years ago); when the house sold the estate agent was terribly miffed when I wouldn't return the signs (& posts). I reminded him that I'd bought them, not hired them.

I used them (from our old house & the one we bought) to repair the ceiling in one of the sheds at the new house.

Strangely enough - any time we meet 'socially' he's not overly enthuastic on my company.
(The feeling's mutual though.)

dmxdave

I wonder how much the sign company gets from the EA..........

chunter

dmxdave wrote: »

I wonder how much the sign company gets from the EA..........

I used to work for a sign company.

50 corrieboard 2 colour, double sided, screen printed boards were under a fiver a skite.
But that was about 5 years ago, before the gold rush.

We didn't do a lot because they were, in general, a bunch of miserly whingers.

steveymp

Witless wrote: »

We had to pay upfront (15 years ago); when the house sold the estate agent was terribly miffed when I wouldn't return the signs (& posts). I reminded him that I'd bought them, not hired them.

I used them (from our old house & the one we bought) to repair the ceiling in one of the sheds at the new house.

Strangely enough - any time we meet 'socially' he's not overly enthuastic on my company.
(The feeling's mutual though.)

:T:T:T Brilliant:rotfl:

We are considering moving and I have asked around, several wanted fee's up front but after negotiations have agreed to defer them pending the sale:T

Its a free market, shop around for the best deal and play EA's at their own game by telling them porkies:rotfl:

happymummy24-7

sell it yourself!..............this is really worth considering and is alot more successful in the likes of Northern Ireland as we are such a small place compared to the whole UK!
We have always said we would do this if we ever wanted to sell as we are on a very popular road (for passing traffic ect not because its posh,lol) and poping your own sign up would instantly generate interest for local people,and it is more often than not someone local will want to buy it as they like the area but just need a bigger/smaller home!
Definatly worth a go...and very moneysaving :money:
have a look at this http://www.mypropertyforsale.co.uk/guides_sellyourself.php

warmhands.coldheart

Having bought & sold houses in England on a number of occasions, I really question what the hell Estate Agents do over here in Northern Ireland.. They don't open on Saturdays (well at least the majority (99%) of the ones I've come across don't) which is really the only time you have off work to go to see a house.

When we were buying over here, any houses we went out to see, we were shown around by the owners not the estate agent at any time and we looked at well over a dozen houses.. (NOT a great idea IMHO as most of the time the owners haven't a clue what to say to you)

So from my experience all they really do is put up a sign (probably done by a sign company anyway) and put your info on a few web sites.... and then have the gaul to ask for 1.5% ~ 2% of the sell value... PLUS £200 for the sign. (love the fact you kept yours Witless) gangsters...

I found the EA's in england were MUCH MUCH more professional in their approach to selling and advised us better on values etc... EA's over here need to get out of the dark ages and be a bit more professional in my opinion.