Are the estate agents doing their job?

tunguska

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Those photos wouldn't put me off viewing that charming house. What I don't understand is why the listing shows only one reception room when the details list both a lounge and a dining-room. That 22 by 10 foot kitchen must be massive and why, oh why isn't there a photo of it?

There absolutely must be photos of the bedrooms and the bathroom: the lack of them makes it sound like there's something to hide and those bedrooms sound like they're all a pretty decent size.

OP I think your agents are sh!te. They are giving every appearance of not wanting to sell the property at all.

Read your contract carefully and sack the blighters as soon as you can, they're obviously either complacent or raving mad. It's a lovely house and to these eyes it's not even expensive.

Thats what I was thinking as well to be honest. She came in with her camera and took the picture of the living room and dining room then when I asked if she would be taking pictures of the upstairs rooms as well she said theres plenty of time to get it done.

One other thing thats in my head now is the epc hasnt been done either, should that be done now? we did ask about it and she said she would get it sorted out but nothing has happened yet.

we listed it at £120k because we need a quick sale, all the others on our street are in the region of £128-139k so we thought listing it lower would be a good start, thinking about it now I dont know if that was a mistake or not, will people think "oh bargain" or will they think "whats wrong with it"

BitterAndTwisted

Without the additional photos I suspect people are wondering what's wrong with it. The property has been up for sale for two moths so why hasn't your OH been kicking some @rse?

I'd turn up at their office and quiz them about the photos and what appears to be their patent disinclination to do what they are being paid for: to get people interested in it and get the blessed thing sold.

I'd like to see a photo of the enclosed back-garden as well.

hazyjo

We did our research and went with an apparent great local EA but seemed to end up lumped with the most junior member of staff who usually dealt with lettings, not sales. It might be worth seeing who's above her and saying you're really not happy with the service so far.

Do you have to pay the fee even if the contract with them has expired? Did you sign up for a certain number of weeks?

I emailed our second EAs with a few things I wasn't happy with and the chief bod got in touch and bent over backwards to help.

A contract goes two ways. If they're not doing their bit, go in and tell the most senior bod and get them to do something about it.

Do you still have to pay the fee if you go with joint agents? Might be worth looking into that.

Good luck.

Jx

chrissie52

You have what looks like a very charming house. Go kick the estate agent's backside, insist they put more photos on the website (one of every room and the garden). Do they not put their sales details on rightmove? Sorry to ask as I don't know the situation where you are. Would be better if they did as it's a nationwide search. Finally it's you who are paying the bill for this, you are the customer so tell them what you expect as customer service for the price (probably quite hefty!)you are going to pay them.:eek:
Good luck!

tunguska

Hi everyone, thank you so far for the replies/advice.

I emailed pictures that I had taken myself to the estate agents as requested by them and they have finally put them up on their website as well as propertynews and propertypal.

One question I have, with it being up for sale with an estate agent, am I allowed to post adverts on websites as well? such as gumtree etc? free ad sites?

BitterAndTwisted

Of course you are but please read your contract carefully as these introductions could still cost you your agent's fees if they lead to a sale.

Edit: Those pics still ain't perfect. Why a photo with the door open in that reception-room? And a pic with the lav-seat up in the bathroom. That pic of the bed-room isn't any good: you're not trying to sell the bed or the bed-clothes! And I still want to see a photo of the back garden.

danielley

Those pics look much better, but put the toilet seat down and get a floorplan on there if possible.

tunguska

Hi everyone, sorry I couldnt get back on here sooner to reply.

Emailed yet more pictures to the EAs and they still have not gone up on the websites yet.

I looked over the contract again today, and it says:

we are appointed as sole agents. BUT it does not state an actual time/date etc of when it runs out.

It also says:

no sale fee payable apart from which may arise under the terms of the sale fee, we reserve the right to apply a service charge of £260 + VAT which is paid 10 days from the date of cancellation.

Does that mean that if we cancel we have to pay them?

Sorry Im useless when it comes to stuff like this, as I say my partners house and he put it up for sale.

Also noticed after looking at the contract that we didnt actually sign or date it, does this make it invalid?

hcb42

gosh nice house, I would buy it tomorrow.

I would be giving the agent a kicking. In fact I interrogate them before I ever sign up to them....I think the best advice when picking one is not to be too focused on the percentage, but rather on their sales hunger (or otherwise in this case!)

womble12345

Change agents, even if it does cost £250 a new agent will probably do a better job, get a reccommendation from a friend.