Can I change Estate Agents??

MAYFLOWERS

Hi Everyone

Thanks for replies - to update - I still have only had one viewing but am going to go in to the Estate Agents and speak to them about the details - got very excited yesterday when I had a missed call from them - very excitedly I dialed my voicemail to pick up the message and they wanted to tell me about a property that had come on the market...in an area that i have told them numerous times I am not interested in !!!!!!!!

If I could be a pain would someone be able to clarify the position on the sole agency agreement - If I could I would seriously consider trying to sell myself - this is the wording of the agreement I have signed (4 wks ago)

The vendor will be liable to pay comission to the agent, in addition to any other costs or charges agreed, if ant any time unconditional contracts for the sale of the property are exchanged
a/ with a purchaser introduced by the agent during the period of the sole agency, or with whom the agent had negotiations about the property during that period or
b/ with a purchaser introduced by another agent during that period

The agent will act as the sole agent in the sale of the property described above. The agent will be the sole agent for a minimum period of 12 wekks from the date of agreement.


I read this that I can/t do anything for 12 weeks - Any help would be appreciated - Thank-you!!

dougk_2

It means you can market the property yourself - you are not an agent. There are various websites and obviously local paers/shops etc that you can advertise by.

The 12 weeks is from when you signed the agreement unless you can cancel for a genuine reasons where the estate agents broke their terms and conditions or you can agreewith them to an earlier parting of company. They will aslo probably want a certain amount of notice of cancellation (4 weeks?). This means if you cancleled today you could leave them in 8 Weeks time.... but be aware they may not be bothered to do much if they think you are leaving (although the opposite may apply as they want your money!)

Do your estate agent send you copies of the adverts they have places in local papers etc to prove they are marketing the property. If not ask them to do so in future.

MAYFLOWERS

Thanks Dougk - think i will consider marketing it myself!

frugal_dougal_3

MAYFLOWERS,

Good luck if you market it yourself. There is a lot of information on other boards regarding free websites etc.

It can be time consuming but I have had success in selling properties this way.

Just a little word of advice if you don't mind me saying. Make sure you keep records of everywhere that you advertise the property, and when you find a buyer also keep a record of where the buyer stated that he/she saw the advertisement.

This will protect you in case the agent subsequently tries to claim a fee from you for finding the buyer. I suspect that your contract with the agent will say somewhere that they can claim their fee even after you have cancelled it if a buyer was found because of their advertising.
They do this to stop people from "taking their property off the market" and selling secretly to someone the agent had found.

MAYFLOWERS

Thanks Frugal_Dougal - I wouldn/t have thought of that!!

terrierlady

what i would do in your position is visit the manager at the estate agents and explain your complaint, ask them what they are going to do to obtain a purchaser for your home,that way they have on record that you are unhappy with the campaign so far.
Ask what viewings they have booked for this week, what advertising is booked, is it possible to make your property home of the week etc, give it centre stage in the front window for instance and what feedback have they received from previous viewings, people when viewing will give you all the right signals but once the agent speaks to them will say the truth of why the home is not suitable, it may be something you can easily change (ie decoration)
if you have pets make sure they are locked away or taken for a walk when viewers arrive.

tightgit_2

Everywhere you look in my area there are for sale signs, but nothing seems to be moving. Some of them are vacant - hence no chain. It seems everyone is trying to sell while they can still get a high price,but of course that has meant that there are so many houses on offer. This in a very sort after area and near a large general hospital which employs thousands and 2 grammar schools.