Changing Estate Agents.

bandofbrothers

Good Evening,

I have been with my current Estate Agent just under 1 year.
Im not sure how long I would be in a contract with them for !

They have recently contacted me to advise that they have closed their office in the area that my property is in.

I will be contacting them tomorrow to find out more but just wanted to ask the following questions.

If I change to another estate agent will my H.I.P Report transfer to the new estate agent.

I have a copy on file as so does my solicitor.

Would I need to give notice to my current estate agent.
Letter ?

The estate agent is still in business but not in my town now. Does it really matter where the office is as my property is on their internet site. What are the downsides ie: No office for possible buyers to visit and browse etc.

Thank you in advance for your input and advice.

Fire_Fox

You need to check the terms and conditions you signed when you appointed that estate agent. If your house hasn't sold in a year it's overpriced, you might consider a new agent and a reduction.

bandofbrothers

Its been a year as it was off the market subject to contract and i was strung along for nearly 5 months, and then they pulled out.

Overpriced you suggest......EA valued at 95k.

Other similar properties in same area at same'ish price.

I instructed EA to shave off 20k.

Accept offers around !

I dont think im overpriced.

House needs no work , just re decoration to suit new owners taste.
No chain.
No mortgage.

Its either really quiet due to the time of year or the EA aint doing their work.

I'll check my contract.

Thanks.

Any idea where i stand with the HIP report transfer etc

Fire_Fox

It's completely irrelevant what the estate agent valued your house at, nor what you want for the house, now what your neighbouring houses are valued at - look at land registry sold prices for the street and area. Your house has still been on the market for seven months out of the last twelve and it has not sold (completed): ergo it is overpriced for the current market. If you post your Rightmove link we can offer suggestions. As regards the HIP you need to check your contract as I have already said.

bandofbrothers

Land registry shows £82k.

Hopejack

Some EA's do have in their T&Cs that the HIP becomes theirs if you move. Having said that, most will offer it to you for a price if that is the case. Presume you didn't pay for your HIP upfront - maybe part of your selling fees at the end?

I have just placed a property of mine on the market and organised my own HIP through an independent provider, partly for this reason and partly because it was much cheaper!

bandofbrothers

Ive already paid for the hip to a hip company. The estate agent put me in touch with them.

I would think the report belongs to me as ive paid for it.

Hopefully...............

G_M

Ive already paid for the hip to a hip company.

I really don't understand the question. You made a contract with a HIP company. Which you and they signed. You paid them. In return they provided a HIP.

So obviously the HIP must belong to... err.. mmm... the Estate Agent!

timmyt

the hip company wont own it, and if you paid direct then you should own it. you have the epc ref so that remains public. the hip probably will be out of date if you change agents (and I would and avoid national).

it does not necessarily mean over pricing not having offers.

fresh agent, fresh photo fresh opportunity

bandofbrothers

Hi,

Update.

Ive been advised by the original EA that I own the H.I.P which can be transfered to another E.A without issue. My new to be appointed EA confirmed they just need to be e mailed a copy.

Just to explain as some confusion seemed to creep in from my explanation of the H.I.P report.

The original EA arranged for a company to carry out the relevent visit to my property to carry out the HIP report, which I then paid this company for the report.

So,

14 days cancelation required to original EA to cancel said contract which i'll be confirming by telephone and letter.

New EA to action a valuation which i'll be looking at and possibly amending to a more realistic selling price.

Original EA even said they would e mail a copy of the H.I.P report to the new EA. I have an electronic copy so maybe it would be more sterile for me to send the report to the new EA !

Advise my solicitor.

Sorted {hopefully}

If anyone has any further advise or corrections on my course of action then please feel free to post your comments, queries or concerns, as all advice is greatly appreciated.

Also Thank you to the people who have already took the time to reply to my thread.

alm721

I would suggest thatyou ask your current EA for a list of any potential purchasers that they feel they have introduced to the property. That way is someone views with your new EA you will know whether they had contact with the 1st EA which should enable to prevent being in a situation were 2 EA's are trying to claim a fee from you. This is unlikely and may depend on the wording of your contract but it does happen.