Mary Portas: Secret Shopper (Ch 4)

Doozergirl

Richard_Webster wrote: »

What annoyed me was that Mary Portas thought that all estate agents did was show people around houses and flats - Simon Gerrard tried to point out that they did a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure the sale went through but she just conveniently ignored all that.

Except if you go for a job as an estate agent, they are looking for 'sales' experience. No one ever asks if you understand property, have any grasp at all on conveyancing matters etc... I speak to people who are so utterly clueless about any aspect, they don't even have that London BS to fall back on.

I don't blame MP for not concentrating on the progression work, it's TV and no-one really understands the sales process. She can't advise them on training their staff to understand leasehold law or basic surveying...

Jowo_2

Richard_Webster wrote: »

What annoyed me was that Mary Portas thought that all estate agents did was show people around houses and flats - Simon Gerrard tried to point out that they did a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure the sale went through but she just conveniently ignored all that.

The first thing my solicitor did was to notify the buyers solicitor to stop asking questions through the estate agent as it caused unnecessary duplication of effort and confusion. She firmly requested all queries were raised between solicitors.

Not really sure why estate agents should be particularly involved once the survey is done and sollicitors are instructed.

My EA also came up with fantasy exchange and completion dates which I ignored and forwarded onto my solictor for attention.

poppysarah

Jowo wrote: »

Not really sure why estate agents should be particularly involved once the survey is done and sollicitors are instructed.

I did love the idea they would go and knock on doors to find out whose responsibility a fence was.

The show was from the consumer side and so didn't need to concentrate on anything other than from the buyers point of view.

I'm not sure how many sellers would like really honest info going up (Broken into a week ago/subsidence/etc)

The buyers might like it though.

googler

pimento wrote: »

I see your point but I'd much rather show a potential buyr round myself, not because I want to lie to them but I reckon I'd do a better job at selling it. They say the first rule of selling is "Know your oranges" and nobody knows your property better than you, you live in it.

Can we assume for discussion purposes that you live in a 3-bed semi with front and rear gardens, lounge, dining and kitchen on ground floor, 3 beds and bathroom on upper floor, and attic.

What is there about a 'standard' house like this that can't be communicated to an EA and of which only you have specialised knowledge?

Personally, I thought the 'secret cupboard in the bathroom' example from the programme last night was farcical. As if that's going to swing the buying decision on a £500,000 house.....

googler

Richard_Webster wrote: »

What annoyed me was that Mary Portas thought that all estate agents did was show people around houses and flats - Simon Gerrard tried to point out that they did a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure the sale went through but she just conveniently ignored all that.

...and talked aggressively over the top of him. She should have looked at the slide they show to their new trainees - 2 ears, 1 mouth - use them in that proportion!

Jowo_2

Someone on another MSE forum located the 2 bedroom flat the EA couldn't shift. It's on the market for £495k.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-17808471.html

I then found a similar flat in the same street on the market for £425k and I'm not sure the glass bricks is sufficient reason to ask for another 70k...It's been on sale for 4 months and has had the price dropped from £450k. So this agent and buyer think, ah, I know what, a similar flat hasn't sold after 4 months for £425k, I'll pop on an extra £70k on the price and that'll shift it..

http://www.foxtons.co.uk/property-for-sale-in-muswell-hill/chpk0232581

It looks like they are spending too much time finding out about who is responsible for broken fences and not enough time accurately pricing the property ... One can walk around the corner and find a garden flat of that size for much less.

BitterAndTwisted

Or that this particular seller has an unrealistic idea of what that basement flat might be worth to a buyer after all the time and expense they've put into it. Agents can suggest but obviously some sellers can't be deflected from the numbers they have in their minds. Most probably caused by what they need to finance their onward move to a detached four-bedder in Winchmore Hill.

The vendors of the glass-brick basement really could have done so much more with that little outside space. I think it looks quite sad and lets the whole place down terribly. For a ha'pence of tar....

Alioth

Interesting, I viewed some flats with them

Enfieldian

googler wrote: »

...and talked aggressively over the top of him. She should have looked at the slide they show to their new trainees - 2 ears, 1 mouth - use them in that proportion!

That seems to be the main criticism of the series so far, the fact that she does not allow anybody else to put across their point of view.

Combined with a bit of careful editing this series just serves to reinforce the stereotypical views of various industries.

Maybe the broadcasters should take a leaf out of the US broadcasters books and state:

"Portions of this programme have been CREATED for entertainment purposes"

Woby_Tide

cardsharps wrote: »

Brilliant. Spiky hair fancies himself as a bit of a footballer as well. I think he wrote this himself. :rotfl:





Assistant Manager

• 020 8246 0102
• philipt@martyngerrard.co.uk

Philip Thompson Finchley Central - Sales

Philip, in his 12th year with Martyn Gerrard, continues to excel in the local sales market and has been top sales negotiator in the company for the past 10 years running. Philip provides exceptional customer service which is recognised by nearly every purchaser and vendor he deals with and comes from a passion of winning and of a deep understanding the market. Philip is also an outstanding footballer and is a daily gym attendee to keep in perfect shape.

First rule of "Team Gorgeous" is don't pick on the haircut of the leader of "Team Gorgeous"

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35281129603

Strangely he uses a different name to promote with.....