I'm Confused about E A critique's

dnwilliams

I keep hearing people in public and the media, being highly critical of Estate Agents, constantly asking why there isn’t a viable alternative?

Could it be that there is an alternative (private sales) and yet sellers choose not to use it.

Why is this I wonder?

It would be interesting to hear opinions.

saxy1

Selling property privately can be very successful, yet so many members of the public are still highly suspicious of the concept, they still seem to think that using an agent is the only way.

hardtimes

saxy1 wrote:

Selling property privately can be very successful, yet so many members of the public are still highly suspicious of the concept, they still seem to think that using an agent is the only way.

I tried to sell a property by advertising in the local paper,the only calls I got were from people trying to rent it!!.
EA have lists of investors who they contact before the for sale sign even goes up.
It would appear that some buyers only like to deal with an EA

clutton_2

i still think a for sale board in your garden is THE most effective advertising, but, there is the security issue to consider - who are you letting into your home ?

courtjester

What is the issue with security and why would you think that having an agent makes any difference? - they don't 'vet' buyers, they merely ask questions about their financial position in order to try and sell them a mortgage at the same time as selling your home. There are no credit or security checks done by an agent which would protect you as a vendor.

The only nod to security is the prospect of an agent conducting viewings (if you are lucky, but most poeple find they end up doing these themselves anyway.

It's easy enough for a private seller to ask a few questions and take down the same details that an agent would and if there is any doubt, decline to offer a viewing, but the main problem is not security but time-wasters.

But really, what is the security aspect other than common sense precautions?(removing cash and valuables from view when visitors are in the home, conducting viewings with a partner if you are not confident doing this alone etc).

If a mad axeman wanted to come into your home and murder you, why would he/she go to the bother of checking private ads to see who is selling a home and running the risk of identification by arranging an appointment.... why not just walk down any road and knock on a few doors, that's got to be easier...

The only people potentially at risk personally are estate agents themselves, whose security risk is quite different to that facing a homeowner selling a property and, to my knowledge, there have only been one or two incidents reported in the press over the last 20/30 years of agents falling foul.

lynzpower

I think the main reason why estate agents get such bad press is
a) they are, or are seen as smarmy
b) they are seen as liars, although IME I havent come accross any who have lied to me, however, like "the taxman" they are felt, by the public as hated, thus perpectuating the bad image.
c) no one ever says "oh my EA was briliant" whereas they might say it about a solicitor, lawyer, builder etc - why is this?
d) lots of people think thier fees are "for nothing". I have recently examined this, ( check my sig) and I have to say Ive changed my mind since being offered an EA job and seen how the pay is doled out