Starting up an estate agency

SimonMrGreenWard

I'll be honest, I'm a bit confused by your posts. You said you've been running your own business since 1979?

chucknorris

SimonMrGreenWard wrote: »

I'll be honest, I'm a bit confused by your posts. You said you've been running your own business since 1979?

Yes that's right but not an estate agents (which would have been a new business venture)

FTBFun

I reckon a USP would be being an honest estate agent!

I understand that there are some about, but after having one show me 3 flats with leases under 80 years, and describing this as "not a problem", I'm somewhat cynical.

chucknorris

FTBFun wrote: »

I reckon a USP would be being an honest estate agent!

I understand that there are some about, but after having one show me 3 flats with leases under 80 years, and describing this as "not a problem", I'm somewhat cynical.

Was it reflected in the price?

SimonMrGreenWard

FTBFun wrote: »

I reckon a USP would be being an honest estate agent!

I understand that there are some about, but after having one show me 3 flats with leases under 80 years, and describing this as "not a problem", I'm somewhat cynical.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3030859/What-happens-when-estates-agents-drop-the-jargon.html

One step ahead on that.

SimonMrGreenWard

chucknorris wrote: »

Yes that's right but not an estate agents (which would have been a new business venture)

I understand that part.

FTBFun

chucknorris wrote: »

Was it reflected in the price?

Not really. One was on the market for more than the one i'm now buying, despite being smaller, in need of some work, and being "upper ground floor" i.e. ground floor without a garden, and further from the station.

Another needed a whole new kitchen, the other was fairly small although did had share of freehold.

FTBFun

SimonMrGreenWard wrote: »

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3030859/What-happens-when-estates-agents-drop-the-jargon.html

One step ahead on that.

Thanks, saw another thread on this last week, and it would definitely make me approach the agent.

Unfortunately I'm not buying in Bournemouth!

Vincenzo

SimonMrGreenWard wrote: »

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3030859/What-happens-when-estates-agents-drop-the-jargon.html

One step ahead on that.

V. interesting. I have noticed a few agents near me mixing things up a bit. One went too far and started writing about the lifestyle afforded by the proeprty, rather than the property itself!

Simon - are all your vendors happy with this apporach? Typically the agent's particulars are a balance between being truthful and keeping the vendor happy, hence the jargon/code.

What do you do for example when the vendor has spent thousands 'modernising' a house and made a complete hash of it? You can hardly say 'The vendor has done their best but due to their questionable taste this property requires complete redecoration'. Can you....?

chucknorris

FTBFun wrote: »

I reckon a USP would be being an honest estate agent!

I understand that there are some about, but after having one show me 3 flats with leases under 80 years, and describing this as "not a problem", I'm somewhat cynical.

I think it beacomes a problem with about 70 years on the lease (as mortgage lenders don't tend to like this) so it would probably become your problem eventually (I have no experience of this though)