Questions about estate agents

kevinlad

A first time seller here. I’ve met the estate agent, got the quote and should have my flat on the market soon. A few questions here:

1. If I negotiate the estate agent fee with them and manage to put it down, would it affect their incentive of selling it?

2. Is it worth to pay more to an estate agent to get my EPC? They said they will include a floorplan (and maybe some other marketing stuff I can’t remember). But they are talking about £125 (instead of £30 to do it myself)

3. Is it worth to let the estate agent to find me a solicitor as well (they said it would be cheaper), or is it a better idea to get my own who is independent from the agent?

Again, if I turn down the estate agent’s offer for the above 2 and 3, would that make them not selling so hard (as they are not getting much from me)?

Cheers.

TrickyDicky101

1. Unlikely especially if you price your flat to sell as they will see it as a quick turnaround.
2. Always, always get a floorplan (even if you do it yourself) - as a prospective buyer I can't stress how annoying it is to see a property on Rightmove and find it doesn't come with a floorplan. Floorplans will cost another £50 to get done though, although you can create them yourself.
3. My preference would be a local independent solicitor with a good reputation ie recommendations from friends/colleagues
4. Shouldn't affect you - you can choose your solicitor after the sale has been agreed.

Richard_Webster

See below in blue

1. If I negotiate the estate agent fee with them and manage to put it down, would it affect their incentive of selling it?
No, they wouldn't agree the fee at all if that was the case

2. Is it worth to pay more to an estate agent to get my EPC? They said they will include a floorplan (and maybe some other marketing stuff I can’t remember). But they are talking about £125 (instead of £30 to do it myself)
No, you should be able to get an EPC a lot cheaper than that unless your sis a very large house.

3. Is it worth to let the estate agent to find me a solicitor as well (they said it would be cheaper), or is it a better idea to get my own who is independent from the agent?
No, how independent would they really be? Whilst their "Conveyancing for Sale" fee might look cheap there could be loads of extras most people would expect to be included.


Again, if I turn down the estate agent’s offer for the above 2 and 3, would that make them not selling so hard (as they are not getting much from me)?
This is something you have to decide - but I would look at a number of estate agents and not decide purely on price but on whether it sounds as if they know what they are talking about in terms of valuing and selling your property (not necessarily telling you what you want to hear about price!) and how hard they try to sell you these add ons.