Help with EA contract!!

chickmug

Brownie1970 wrote: »

AB, MNAEA
(estate agent with 23 years experience)

But where in the Codes does it cover this point clearly which page, section and paragraph? IMO the Code are too woolley and never seems to address any isues except in very very superficial way.

They need a good overhaul by an independent body but then that is why the Ombudsman Schemes came in because EAs were totally incapable of policing their own business.

I say this from my past see my signature and was MNEA MICBA.

DVardysShadow

chickmug wrote: »

I must add when I was running my own business I would NOT work unless SSR so can't really whinge but feel it may be area thing?

I am amazed. I can understand Sole Agency, but not SSR

chickmug

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I am amazed. I can understand Sole Agency, but not SSR

To me what it means is that all those who ask advice, on this forum, and are told never to sign SSR, it may not be an option they have in their area with the EAs in that area.

Why are you so *amazed* as the sum total of ALL knowledge is NOT on the forum. I have experience of the reality on the street and my post try to balance some of the extreme views I read.

googler

OK, so one thinks SSR is a sign of an 'unscrupulous' agent, another is 'amazed' that an agent should insist on SSR....

Could both elaborate?

Richard_Webster

I said SSR was unscrupulous as to my knowledge all the agency agreements I have ever seen or been asked about are sole agency rather than SSR.

However, as Chickmug says, it may be an area thing.

Customs and practices will vary from area to area and maybe I was being too harsh, if it is standard in some areas. For instance in my area agents charge commission at any agreed rate and that's it - advertising is included in the cost.

In Sheffield, for instance, where I have family members, they charge separately for advertising and you have to pay for that whether or not the house sells. So practices will vary from area and if Chickmug says it is common and standard where he is, then I have to defer to his wisdom on the point. As a matter of interest I would be interested to know the area where Chickmug is/ran his business.

MoneyMoose

Thank you everyone - interesting to read all your views and comments!
I never thought of asking them for a list of potential buyers should we be unsatisfied with them (I guess this is worst-case scenario anyway) - brilliant suggestion. They have valued it at about £5k more than others (I didn't hire them just because they came back with that valuation; when you're talking hundreds of thousands, I guess £5k is neither here nor there??) they just 'seemed' a lot less...how shall I put this?... 'sharky' than the other EAs we had round (they are a local firm).

We shall see if they turn around in a few weeks' time and tell us to reduce it (please don't say 'we told you so!') - and you'll see me on the other thread (to those selling in these difficult times) either complaining about lack of viewings or saying they are fabulous (hopefully the latter)

I shall try have a go at being brave :eek: and ask for 6 weeks' notice - have signed nothing yet!