Estate agent here, please feel free to ask me anything. Im happy to help :)

princessamy86

Noo, good luck with complaining I really do hope you get somewhere with it, although I will warn you that the property ombudsman can be a bit toothless. Gather as much info and evidence as you can, because they will want to see it.

MiserlyMartin

Why are you encouraging sellers to inflate their prices to levels seen before the price crash?

And why have I never met an estate agent that has not lied to me, or done anything that isn't in their interest rather than the seller or buyer?

If I ever meet an honest estate agent I'll do a Kirsty Allsop.

leanneslow

Dont give up noo.

Well im in bristol and i'll keep quiet too princess!

spudnik

Hello,
could you please explain asking prices to me, some houses we have seen are just crazy.
for example a 2 bed mid terrace they originally wanted £169950 after being for sale for 179 days reduced it to £149950. On the surface of things that seams ok yes? but the last 3 houses to sell on that street (all identical) sold for April 2008 £114950, May 2008 £90000 and June 2008 £104500.
Is it that the estate agent really thinks that this house is worth more than its neighbours or is it the seller determined to get that price.
Because as buyers we would not even consider viewing a house that was more than 10% difference in price compared to 2008 values, so how does sticking to a high price help the market get moving?

princessamy86

MiserlyMartin wrote: »

Why are you encouraging sellers to inflate their prices to levels seen before the price crash?
QUOTE]

Ignoring your "all EAs are liars" bit, you haven't met all of us yet so you couldn't possibly pass judgement. Leanne has set up this thread to offer assistance, so there's no need to get all narky.

With regards to your question above, it's not something that all EAs do either. Personally, I would prefer to price it correctly and sell it quickly, the commission rolls in much faster and there's a much higher turnover of property. Some agents do inflate prices to get the business, but I think you'll find they aren't selling as many houses as the sensible ones. You also have to factor in the times where you tell a vendor a sensible price, and they promptly ignore you and decide their house is worth much, much more than you said.

leanneslow

MiserlyMartin wrote: »

Why are you encouraging sellers to inflate their prices to levels seen before the price crash?

And why have I never met an estate agent that has not lied to me, or done anything that isn't in their interest rather than the seller or buyer?

If I ever meet an honest estate agent I'll do a Kirsty Allsop.

EA's give a justified valuation. We dont actually force the price on the wall- the seller decides. We only advice them and if they are really ridiculous then we simply dont take it on our books! Of course it is in our interest- we sell we make money, we dont sell we make no money. That is how a business runs!

Im sorry you have had bad experiences with them but not all are the same. What problems have you encountered before? It may not be the agents fault, it may be solicitors, paperwork, seller or the buyer or other factors. I think you might just be looking for someone to blame here

elfen

leanneslow wrote: »

I think some do just because they can. We charge the small amount for advertising and time for arrangements, contract, property management is optional once it has been let, BUT we DO carry out a credit check- it is a lettings check! Not a normal credit check as such, everything is taken into consideration and they cost between £45 and £100 or so- this depends on what the landlord wants. Lifestyle charge a small fortune as do many others! Best to 'shop' around or even haggling can work if they want it let out quite quickly!

Oh, thanks, that's good to know. So if you have old defaults you could let them know why they're there, and hopefully rely on the recent stuff to get the house with. Only asking as will have to rent in a few years, and will have old defaults at that time.

ETA: MiserlyMartin, I've met one. Told us it's better to go private as they have fewer fees and more likely to get a place! And he was quite fit too

leanneslow

elfen wrote: »

Oh, thanks, that's good to know. So if you have old defaults you could let them know why they're there, and hopefully rely on the recent stuff to get the house with. Only asking as will have to rent in a few years, and will have old defaults at that time.

ETA: MiserlyMartin, I've met one. Told us it's better to go private as they have fewer fees and more likely to get a place! And he was quite fit too

Nothing better than a fit estate agent. Iv come across a few good surveyors in my time;)!!!

Good luck, im sure it will be fine

DVardysShadow

leanneslow wrote: »

Milliewilly wrote: »

Why won't EA's disclose bids on reposessed properties even though they should go in the paper for 7 days (they don't do this either) Halifax is who I'm talking about? Thanks

I dont deal much with repossed houses but if i believe correctly it is due to the data protection act. It may depend on different agents and the repo companies as well as the amount of debt owed

Data Protection Act? If that is the best you can come up with, perhaps you will get a hard time here.

david29dpo

What qualifications do agents have?