Estate Agent Contract

carlylouiseX

Hello,

I have got my house up for sale and have found one i really want to buy. My current estate agents have been pretty useless, not a single viewing, always me having to ring them to see if there has been any interest and they just seem to be negative about the fact it will be hard to sell as it is a new house and there is competition from the brand new ones. I get that but 1.they are about 20k more expensive and dont come with the extras ours does and 2. There are loads for sale in the area and they are all selling including some friends behind our house who, after 1 week of being on the market and numerous viewings, got an offer for the full asking price.
When we signed the contract we were told it was for 28 days, so far it has been 18 days, i have spoken to another estate agents who seem really positive they can sell it and they have sold loads in the area and have one for sale at the moment which has loads of interest!
I have just spoken to my estate agents and the receptionist said that our contract is for 6 weeks but she cant really say anything else as she is new and im now waiting for a call back.
I just wondered if there was anything i can say to try and get out of the contract! I cant wait another 3 weeks without any interest as i dont want to lose this other house!!
Thank you

cattie

All ea's will tell you that they can sell your house. It's all part of the marketing ploy. If the ea's are all basically in the same area then most people looking to buy will be registered with all ea's covering the area that they wish to buy in.

You are lucky that your contract is only for 28 days, which is actually really quite short for an ea's contract. You need to be aware that contracts usually require you to notify them in writing (not email or text) that you do not intend to continue with the contract at the end of the initial term, otherwise you can still be liable for their fees.

These ea's sound very honest, it is very hard to sell a 2nd hand modern home when so many new ones are on the market. Most buyers would prefer a brand spanking new house rather than one previously occupied, also, developers often offer deals which make the purchase of a brand new home much more attractive to buyers.

If your house hasn't attracted any viewers & has been advertised locally & features on Rightmove, then it is obviously overpriced. All houses will sell eventually, but they have to be priced right otherwise nobody is going to be interested. Usually after a few weeks with no interest, most ea's will advise you to drop the price if you don't want the property sitting on the shelf & getting dusty.

I can't see the point in an ea making contact with a vendor when there has been absolutely no interest in the property, if they have nothing to report, then why bother phoning you?

DRP

is it 28 days or 6 weeks?

Read the contract?

carlylouiseX

I dont have a copy of the contract but have requested one. Have been told it is also 28 days notice to leave as well, but of a pain but have now reduced the price in the hope of some interest.
Will definately be putting the notice in writing- thanks for the tip!
Thank you!