Which agent to go for

Slinky

We have a small studio flat my husband used to live in during the week whilst he was working away from home which we no longer need.

We paid £94K for it 4 years ago. They were fetching £108K in the boom, but unfortunately somebody sold one for £78K as they were desperate to move 18 months ago, which has stifled sales since then. We think it's worth somewhere between £89-£94K (there is a sale about to exchange at £89K in the block). Ours is top floor in very good condition, agents we invited round said it's much better condition than what they are used to seeing in this block, carpets, flooring and furniture we're planning on leaving behind are all nearly new as husband was only there 3 nights a week sometimes.

We have had 3 quotes from estate agents, two at a flat rate of £2.5K+VAT and the other at 1%. The agent offering the 1% deal is the agent we bought the flat through, but they now tend to specialise in lettings rather than sales. They may have investor landlords who could be interested in the flat.

We're in a dilemma - go with the cheaper agent who doesn't specialise in sales, but will stick it on Rightmove and will punt it to their investors and anybody else who happens to approach them.

Or use one of the other more dynamic, 'pushier' sales led agencies who may achieve a quicker sale at a higher price. Or may not.

The difference in the fees means the sales led agencies would have to achieve nearly a £2K higher sales price just to cover the cost of their fees and the VAT. Neither of these £2.5K agents is willing to negotiate on rates and the flat is in a town 100 miles from where we live, so it's difficult to drag more agents in to find if we can get a better rate off somebody else.

If we could clear £90-£91K after fees we'd let it go but we don't know which approach to take.

What would you do?

silvercar

I would say that you need it on rightmove, so that out of towners will see it. So forget any agent that doesn't use rightmove.

Go with the cheaper agent first, you can always move it if it doesn't sell. With fewer houses ont heir books they may put in more effort.

Slinky

Should have said, all 3 agents use Rightmove.