Manchester Estate Agents & Fees

nickmanc

Hi Everyone,

We're putting our house on the market soon and trying to decide on the best Estate Agents. I've spoken to several of the popular agents for my area (Bridgefords, Thornley Groves, Halifax and a couple of smaller ones), but they all have quoted 2% fees (lowest was Halifax who said they would discount it to 1.75%). :eek:

Does anyone have experience of Manchester Estate Agents and how far they can be haggled down on the fees. IMO the house will sell fairly easily (one of our neighbours sold recently within a few weeks), so 2% seems a lot of money for probably not a lot of work.

If anyone has any general tips about estate agents in the area then it would also be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Nick

UK007BullDog

That is the going rate it seems in your area. Also looks quite fixed to me....

I would go with the one which has the most houses on their books for your area. They now the area and can sell it better to potential buyers.

No point choosing one which is 1.5% but about 5 miles or more away.

Why not go with the one your neighbor used?

Alternatively post it on those estate agent free websites. But then you have to do all the legwork, taking photos, writing salesy script, taking calls and emails at any time etc.....

Oh.... nearly forgot: You might be able to haggle if you say that they would be the only agents with the property on their books.

Jorgan_2

Look at all the agents as a buyer would. Look to see how they present their details, own website, advertising, virtual tours, floorplans, national property websites etc. Which one is going to give your property the best coverage? Is their one that specilaises in your area or type of property being sold? Will they all give you feedback on viewings, it isn't always part of the service. Find an agent, or a couple of them that you feel will represent your property at its best and then talk to them with regards to fees. Don't just choose the cheapest.

hazeyj

I used Reeds Rains to sell my flat and got 1.5% with them.

alice's_mum

Where about in Manchester are you, I lived in Sale and would NOT recommend using Bridgefords there, something very fishy went on between them and our prospective buyers. We used Gascoine Halman and they were good, also thought Reeds Rains did a good job when we bought the house. We got a fee of 1.5% quoted off all of them.

missk_ensington

Halifax tends to have very few proprties on the books, I keep my hand in the property market as I'm developing them, and I never look at Halifax as the proprties are hard to look at online (you can never find the right page!) and they just tebd to be hidden away.

I've not heard of those you mention, but I know Reeds Rains are good. Also if you're prepared to sell in a couple of months you'll be able to reduce the fee- fewer people sell after Aug/Sep so the Estate Agents are quiet and want the work coming in so will negotiate. You have to be blunt and tell them that someone else has better rates and can they compete.

Good luck

nickmanc

Thanks for all the replies.

In repsonse to Alice's Mum - we're currently living in Hulme, and looking to move to Chorlton. Thornley Groves seem to do a lot of business round here and would be the obvious option, but I would rather not pay 2%. Other threads on here suggest that I should be looking towards getting 1%, but perhaps Manchester is particularly expensive.

I haven't tried getting the price down yet, though I certainly will be trying. I was hoping someone may have been in the same position before and I could get an idea of the best rate I might be offered.

Thanks again for all the replies:T

Sassa

Hi

When we sold our house in Didsbury to move to Chorlton we used Albion Green based in Didsbury. They charged us 0.75% and sold it to the first person who viewed it. We were really pleased with their service. They sell houses in Rusholme/ Chorlton/ Didsbury etc....all over...

https://www.albiongreen.co.uk

Good luck with the move!