Advertising with Estate Agents, but selling privately...

TangoFiver

...Well possibly

We're about to put our house on the market with an Estate Agent.

A few months ago we put it on with an online estate agent, just for a couple of months. Someone contacted us through them, and we've since swapped numbers etc.

At the moment, they are in a chain, so they have to sell their house before they can buy ours (they've said how much they would offer, but of course it doesn't hold weight).

My question is this, If we advertised through Reeds Rains (for example), who don't have a tie-in period, and we ended up selling to this person who was interested previously, how would we avoid having to pay Reeds Rains, if they didn't introduce the buyer to us?

Hope that makes sense!

Dan-Dan

We made it a caveat of our agreement with our EA that we could sell to a NAMED buyer , it was agreed and the potential buyers name was put in the contract as the get out clause

to be honest , if it wasnt for the fact we are looking to buy a property on the same EA`s books , i dont think they would have agreed to it, but you can but ask , be prepared to name your potential buyer to help validate things

TangoFiver

Thanks for that, will give it a try!

If they won't agree to putting their name in the contract as a potential buyer clause, could they still charge us their full fee?

jmt

I have just done this with W H Brown. I had a potential private buyer, agreed a price but they were not in a position to proceed so I added their name to the contract. Luckily for me when marketing commenced the first person to view made an offer of what I was looking for and the sale is progressing. I am losing out slightly due to the agents commission, but I am more than happy to pay this they have done their job as I sold within a week

Dan-Dan

exactley how we feel , a buyer with no money is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike so if the EA sells our house they deserve the money!

Dan-Dan

TangoFiver wrote: »

Thanks for that, will give it a try!

If they won't agree to putting their name in the contract as a potential buyer clause, could they still charge us their full fee?

well it will all depend on the finer points of the contract you sign, but if you sell within the agreed sole agency period to your private buyer , and your EA is an aggressive sort , expect a bill!

johncarlton76

Hi

I've had this issue before.

Check your terms before you do anything.

The agent I used only wanted paying for people they introduced.

If this is not the case for you, and they try to invoice you, I would seek legal advice on this forum.

I am new on here and joined due to a credit card issue.. But the advice I have received is amazing.

I'll be on here during free time at work!

Good luck anyway.

sharpe106

Ever estate agent will be different, some are more aggressive than others. Discuss it with the estate agent before hand and go with one that is willing to add that to the contract.

TangoFiver

Thanks for all the replies, will discuss with agents as advised then,

Ta!

Yorkie1

You have 2 issues:

1. The contract with the online EA. They have introduced this potential buyer to you and, depending on the terms of your contract with them, may well still be entitled to their fee from you even if you terminate your contract with them properly and subsequently accept an offer from this buyer.

2. The contract with the new EA. As advised above.

TangoFiver

Yorkie1 wrote: »

1. The contract with the online EA. They have introduced this potential buyer to you and, depending on the terms of your contract with them, may well still be entitled to their fee from you even if you terminate your contract with them properly and subsequently accept an offer from this buyer.

Sorry should have said, it wasn't a 'contract' as such with online agent. Have paid them already for the advertising they've done.