Blogging my Sale

MJMum

Hi, I have worked in an EA (once, for my sins, don't hold it against me) and we had someone employed specifically to do "Open Days" on Sat & Sun, the idea being to wave off the vendor for the day, and show people round in one solid "push". If you are changing agents, I'd strongly recommend asking about doing this, as it would be a good way to relaunch your marketing and undoubtably more convenient for you. Also, it doesn't matter so much if you get a few carpet-treaders in with the serious applicants.

MJMum

PS I'm also originally from Cornwall. It's fairly obvious from your posts which property is yours. If so...could I suggest some better photos?

Edited also to add: your description doesn't flag the fact that you are so near to town, but have parking. Also where are those magic words "Fistral beach"...for the townies ;-) Although you are getting plenty of viewings, so maybe I'll just shut up.

lynzpower

any update with the new EA earner?

earner

Right. Lots of update

And now I am not sure what I want to do. So need advice.

I signed the agreement with the new agent on 25/01.
Old agent went through their list to see who had viewed it and if they were interested. And one couple who saw it twice want to come down again to view it a 3rd time to see if they like it enough to reduce their property in price to sell theirs/secure mine.

Also, in that last 2 weeks another row of people came and looked, which I had NOT expected at all.

I also have a lodger moving in and some odd jobs I want to complete, so I contacted the new agent to say "I have changed my mind .... I want to cancel. I've got these jobs to do .... and these people are coming back for another viewing. Can I call you after that to possibly proceed"

I put it in writing to them, 14 days after I signed the agreement (in my house).

Now, if those people DO want it, that's fair enough as the original estate agent gets the commission.

But, where do I stand at the moment?

I think I am not signed up to the new agent, so I could just keep it off the market for a few weeks, sort out a few outside jobs that have not been possible as it's been raining since early December.

I don't want to be selling it until I've got the lodger settled in - and got this 3rd viewing over and done with and dealt with anybody who saw the house in the last 2 weeks that suddenly says they want it.

BUT: am I now tied down to agent2 as I signed the contract? Or did I cancel legally under any 14 day cooling off period?

OR: Did I sign in haste and am now bound by law at leisure?

The contract was a 12 weeker. I thought it was sole agency (so I could have found my own buyer, not that I had any intentions of doing) too, and it isn't. So even if I found a buyer of my own I still have to pay them - and that would be £5449 (inc VAT). I don't have any plans to sell it myself, but I do feel a bit cheated.

OK, I signed the contract, but she was there and pulled it out of her bag. I was asked to sign it but it was large and I didn't get time - and she was rushing off for another appointment, so it was a bit heat of the moment.

Advice please (and I know I was a plonker re signing before you point that one out).

earner

MJMum wrote:

PS I'm also originally from Cornwall. It's fairly obvious from your posts which property is yours. If so...could I suggest some better photos?

Edited also to add: your description doesn't flag the fact that you are so near to town, but have parking. Also where are those magic words "Fistral beach"...for the townies ;-) Although you are getting plenty of viewings, so maybe I'll just shut up.

The details aren't online any more, but it did say garage/workshop and I am sure it said parking too. Just tried to check but of course it's gone.

earner

Doozergirl wrote:

:eek: That's expensive. What did the other agent and your previous agent want, commission wise?

Have you checked all the other agents in the area to see what they charge too?

They all charge the same. 1.75%-2%
I had every one of them round in August 2005

Doozergirl

Anybody that came through your last agent, they are entitled to their fee.

If you've told and written to the new agent saying you don't need them right now, I think you're okay as you have otherwise withdrawn the house from market, they haven't sent anyone round and you are not bound to accept any offer made.

But if and when you do go back on the market I would use agent B for a tie in period to be safe, though I'd be signing a new contract with no longer than an 8 week tie in and sole agency. Sole selling rights is a whole new ball game and a bit underhand, IMO.

For future reference, keep any contracts an agent gives you, agree alterations, change what you don't like and send it in the post. No hassle. You need to verify their sales particulars anyway before they can start handing them out properly so I'd send those two documents back together.

earner

To be honest I thought it was sole agency. I was trying to spot either/or: (1) sole agency (2) sole selling. And it said agency. But later on it said if anybody at all buys the house (except the list from the previous agent) then they'd get their fee. And so I thought I was signing up for one that wasn't being an !!!. It's not that I want/will market the property. I just hate feeling held over a barrel.

All the minimums are 12 weeks here. I guess I could try them for less, they can only say !!!!!! off.

When I do put it back on, I was planning on using that agent.

earner

Actually, the more I think about it, the more tempted I am to forget estate agencies and give it a whirl myself... moron that I am, I actually think I could find and manage a buyer/buying process while working 80 hours a week

Oh well. The idea was nice for that 10 seconds!

lynzpower

any further update? Id like to know how you are going on?