Help me save some money please

dj_flame

Hi All,

We have today had our house valued as we need to move due to a new baby girl.
I have had an estate agent out to value and they came in with 75000.
I paid 45000 for the house so it seems I’ve not done too bad.

The estate agents want 1200 + vat to sell the property plus £99 for an energy report
(Thought these were abolished?)

Anyway, can anyone advise if this is a reasonable fee to pay, And if not how can I
Get it down any.

Please bear in mind I’ve had no-one else value the property, But as the wife wants everything yesterday we’ve only chosen the one for now.

Thanks for your help

DJ Flame
:beer:

G_M

Get at least 2 more valuations from different agents and compare fees.

HIPs were abolished in Eng/Wales - EPCs were not.

Don't get the EPC via an agent. Shop around (Google search) - should cost you about £45.

ash28

G_M wrote: »

Get at least 2 more valuations from different agents and compare fees.

HIPs were abolished in Eng/Wales - EPCs were not.

Don't get the EPC via an agent. Shop around (Google search) - should cost you about £45.

Totally agree get some other valuation.

£99 seems a bit steep for an EPC - we had one done last week through our estate agent and the cost was £50 + vat and we paid the assessor direct (the eastate agents put him in touch with us and we were happy with the price) - when he'd finished - got the report a couple of days later. I'm sure someone local to you will be able to carry out the assessment for a good bit less than you've been quoted.

Can't you negotiate your estate agents fees - yours seem to be around 1.5% - we managed to get 1%.- not a huge difference I know - but for you it would the difference between £750 + vat (£900) and £1200 + vat (£1440). You could use the 1.5% as starting point when you get in other agents - see if they can better it.

I don't know where you are - we are in the south east. Eastate agents in our area seem to be open to negotiating fees - perhaps it's the same where you are.

dj_flame

Thanks for all the advice.

I've managed to haggle the cost for the estate agents down to £1000 plus Vat, and get the EPC from them for £50.
Shows what you can do if you ask. Not had another valuation, as the estate agents I'm going with are well known in the area for being really good. I got a bench mark from next door as their property is with another estate agents and they are chargin 995+ vat.

I've managed to save 250:j, Now I just need help with the solicitors.... Any one know if their fees are negotiable?

Thanks :beer:

[Deleted User]

As u have done with your estate agent, don't only look for the cheapest.., look for one who is good. I paid a relatively low fixed fee for a solicitor my then partner had used before (he said she was brilliant when he'd bought and sold a house before).., but I noticed they didn't seem to have a clue. We almost lost the house we were buying because they made a mistake and stated the deposit was 10% instead of 5%, and it all had to be renegotiated on the last day. Lesson learned lol.