Can I also try to sell privately???

zoejones_2

Hi - I've just been reading some posts about private house selling websites. We got conned by our estate agent and are now tied into a 16 week sole agency contract, but we're unhappy with the performance of our current agent.

Can I still use one of these private house sale sites, or would that be breaking our contract with the agent???

Also are there any pitfalls with the private sales sites that I need to be aware of (I'm very new to all of this but want a quick sale)......

hearts

I believe you can advertise where ever you like. BUT should you sell the agents will still be looking for their commision.

saxy1

You would need to check your contract with the agent, but if you are on a 'sole agency' basis, there should be no problem taking out private advertising. Try doing a google search for - 'selling my house privately' it will give you all the main companies, but choose carefully - they are not all the same!

ginger_nuts

if you are tied to the agent give them a kick up the !!!! and keep the pressure on .Ask for feedback form every viewer ,put the pressure on the agent .

MJMum

We got conned by our estate agent

...or did you just not read the contract?

HugoSP

If the estate agent is not delivering the goods, they may be guilty of a breach of contract.

In any case any contract has to be fair and reasonable, so if they are simply not making an effort on your behalf, a court could decide that they are in breach and dismiss any damages claim they could bring against you.

In any case, have a look at your contract and contact the National Federaition of Estate Agents for further advice.

In my experience, a lot of agents try bullyboy tactics on vendors then back down when people stand up to them. The fact is that they exist on a shoestring buget and do not often have the resources to pursue cases that they stand a chance of losing, and paying out the defendents costs.

Also, contact Consumer Direct

courtjester

hearts wrote:

I believe you can advertise where ever you like. BUT should you sell the agents will still be looking for their commision.

This is a common misconception the result of scaremongering by estate agents.

A sole agency contract requires that there be only one agent - it does NOT mean that you can't sell and advertise the property yourself privately and if you sell to a private buyer (one not introduced by the agent) the sole agent will NOT be entitled to charge any commission, because they can only charge commission on the sale if THEY have brought about the sale to a buyer THEY introduced.

It's all in the contract terms, don't let an agent tell you otherwise.

See the Consumers Association (WHICH?) factsheets for more:

Selling a Home - Which? factsheet
https://www.which.co.uk/files/application/pdf/Selling%20a%20home%20final-445-76965.pdf

Dealing with Problem Estate Agents - Which? factsheet
https://www.which.co.uk/files/application/pdf/Problems%20final-445-76964.pdf