Are bigger chain EA's better?

redhead123

If it's just about who calls after seeing it on 'right move' then does it matter who you go with? Or is it about who has a long contacts list of potential viewers?

Although I'm thinking of taking mine off the market and renting out, I'm just curious as to what differentiates agents - are bigger agents better?> Would you pay a higher fee and go with a bigger agent?

And..what Q's do you ask potential EA's about what they do to sell your house? Mine aren't doing anything other than marketing it on rightmove, contacting the few people they have on their books, and then putting it in the window, but they aren't open much on weekends. They didn't even acknowledge the first lot of pics were bad (which they were and they took them!!) I do wonder if they think they can't sell a house, they then don't even bother (ie mine only 6 wk tie in).

Running_Horse

We went first time with a small cheap independent, and about 50% of viewers never even showed up. They then persuaded us we had no option but to accept a silly offer from a cash buyer who later pulled out because we wouldn't drop the price further.

Several months later we went with a more expensive national chain who claimed to vet viewers, and every one turned up on day one including a full asking price offer.

Not saying this is typical, but just our experience.

poppysarah

Get a piece of paper and visit each EA. Ask them what they do to market your property, what media they advertise in, whether in rightmove or not, opening hours, number of buyers on their books looking for your type of property, how many houses they've sold recently.

Repeat with each one in turn.

Then ring them all up and see how long they take to answer the phone, how quickly they deal with your inquiry (Find a house you'd like to view and see how effective they are at arranging that viewing, how much they check you out, and whether indeed they even get back to you)

Ask friends for their opinions.
View the website photos - are they all rubbish pictures?

If an EA can't deal with your viewing request, or take good photos for other houses then they will be awful at selling your house.

jamesperrett

In my opinion it is very much down to the individuals in the branch. When I sold my last but one house it became very obvious that there were 2 people in that branch of a large chain who were extremely good at their job and the rest just weren't up to it.

With my last house we changed from a small independent to a local chain after 3 months because the independent just didn't live up to their promises. The second agents were a little more expensive but well worth the money.

Cheers

James.

betmunch

Its down to the individuals in the branch.

I currently work for a large EA chain and cover two branches aproximately 10 miles away from each other.

Branch A has three permanent staff that are all experienced and motivated to do their job. They make a lot of sales.

Branch B has three permanent staff that are all experienced, however, the manager is out of her depth, the lister constantly overvalues properties and moans about working hours, only the negotiator is worth his wages. They dont make a lot of sales.

Both branches have the same area manager.

My time is split roughly equally between the branches, slightly less at Branch A. Today I quit my job because I am just so fed up with the poor service offered by Branch B that it drags me down when I am at Branch A.

When you are choosing your EA get a feel for the staff as it doesnt matter if the branch is part of a large chain or a one off independent. Its the people selling your house that matter. They (should) know the local market, the buyers, the competition.

Dont be swayed by corporate gimicks. Its the people that matter.

Cheers