Connells featured on local BBC consumer show for 'forcing' buyer to use their broker.

stator

Stuspillz wrote: »

I wish I read this thread yesterday, had two agents come to value my place, Taylors and Connells.
I prefered what the Connells agent had to say, seemed extremely confident with various examples of similar sales to mine in the area in the last month.
The premium listing (floorplans and audio tour) and professional photographs(8) package, full brochure included was quoted at £230.80 all in. Non Negotiable, but refundable on the completion of the sale.
20 week lock in reduced to 10 week.
Selling fee's reduced to £2100 instead of £2500.
Promise of listing in two local papers and larger slot on the window (as premium listing)

Compared to Taylors very ordinary basic marketing, higher fees even after negotiating (£2,300)
Only one similar example, the other two brought along were of 1 bed flats apposed to my 2 bed.

Guess im going to have to keep an eye on all offers they are getting....

Just write them a letter saying that you want them to allow all viewings before verification and when they receive an offer you don't want them to insist the buyer uses their mortgage broker.

Westminster

We got (in HP18 9) our agent to agree 2 weeks notice, 1% including legal fees for the sale and premium listing (at no extra cost) on an asking price of £315k.

(Clearly not Connells - but not a million miles away from what the other agents who valued were talking about).

PS - we sold in 3 weeks.

pickles13

rosie383 wrote: »

How did it go Pickles? Did you stand strong?

I did! I made it clear from the beginning I wanted to carry on using my broker, they did give me the usual spiel about how they may be able to find me a better offer but they were not pushy at all. A few hours after I left, I had a call to say that my offer has been accepted by the vendor!

PS thank you for asking

Dave_Z

Sounds quite similar to a recent experience we've had. We are in the process of buying a new build from Persimmon Homes and they insisted that they wouldn't reserve our plot unless we were 'approved' by their broker. We're FTB so a bit new to this and went along with it to make sure our plot got taken off the market. Stopped short of actually going through a mortgage app with them as we wanted to discuss with our own broker but got pestered all week by both the broker and Persimmon. We're now going ahead with our own broker.

rosie383

pickles13 wrote: »

I did! I made it clear from the beginning I wanted to carry on using my broker, they did give me the usual spiel about how they may be able to find me a better offer but they were not pushy at all. A few hours after I left, I had a call to say that my offer has been accepted by the vendor!

PS thank you for asking

Pickles that's great news! Well done you! I have to say you're probably in luck because of timing. They know they are in trouble so have to really keep their noses clean now.

rosie383

Stuspillz look at the contract you signed and see if there is any cooling off period. There likely isn't but worth a look.

The sdvice from Stator is perfect. Copy it to their head office, and if you already have a solicitor, a copy to them also. On paper, not just email and special delivery.

Missus_Hyde

pickles13 wrote: »

I did! I made it clear from the beginning I wanted to carry on using my broker, they did give me the usual spiel about how they may be able to find me a better offer but they were not pushy at all. A few hours after I left, I had a call to say that my offer has been accepted by the vendor!

PS thank you for asking

Good for you, Pickles!! I'm really pleased to hear that!!:j

Annie1960

If you signed it at home they are obliged to give you a cooling off period of 14 days.

http://www.tpos.co.uk/downloads/TPOE27-3%20Code%20of%20Practice%20for%20Residential%20Estate%20Agents.pdf

See para 5l.

Stuspillz, most EAs do not charge for the photos, floor plans or brochures. The audio tour is, in my view, a waste of time.


As others have said above, get some valuations from local independent EAs who will usually offer a very short contract (which is good from your point of view) and free marketing. The only thing you should need to pay for is the EPC.

Stuspillz

I spoke with their branch manager about this and he gave me assurances they don't operate like this.

Although he did say that if they can get the buyer to sit with their mortgage dept and get it verified they prefer that.

I have a EPC already, and yeah it says a 14day cooling off period... I still like what they have said and I will be using them still.

stator

Stuspillz wrote: »

I spoke with their branch manager about this and he gave me assurances they don't operate like this.
.

He would say that wouldn't he

Get one of your friends to phone up and enquire about the house but tell them to say no to the mortgage broker. See what happens