estate agents are conmen

Running_Horse

Sounds strange. You set the price, not the agent. If it won't sell at that price that suggests they were right and you were unrealistic. Maybe you should have listened to their advice. It is nobody else's fault if you cannot get the price you wanted.

Malmo

OP, if you re-market with another agent, I'd strongly urge you to have a read of the useful articles below to help inform your selection process and enable you to make a better judgement in future.

http://www.theadvisory.co.uk/property-valuation-1.php

http://www.theadvisory.co.uk/property-valuation-2.php

http://www.theadvisory.co.uk/estate-agents.php

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...ead.php?t=5383

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/22/how-to-sell-your-property

MrsFingersCrossed

It wasn't 8 viewings in 2 weeks, it was 8 viewings in 5 months.

bylromarha

Annie1960 wrote: »

Most EAs do not ask for any money up front.

There is a big national chain that trades under a number of different names that does this in my area.

A large independent chain round here offers photos + floor plan at an additional charge to their fee, plus overcharge on their EPCs. All done by the 1 guy from their company. Think the EA goes round with the phone for £20 if you refuse the hard sell on the professional.

Plus if you want the guy to turn up in the morning, its £40 more expensive than if you book for a visit at some point in the day.

jimpix12

Reading these stories about agents asking for fees upfront is really weird. I've had 3 valuations, they all charge 1.5%, have all been what I'd consider a realistic price (i'd accept less), and they've all offered to do EPC/photos/brochures for no added cost. I even chose a selection of agents across the whole market... Strange.

ellie27

spunko2010 wrote: »

they all charge 1.5%....... and they've all offered to do EPC/photos/brochures for no added cost.Strange.

1.5% is a lot! You will be paying for the EPC/photos/brochures in that 1.5%

caprikid1

"1.5% is a lot! You will be paying for the EPC/photos/brochures in that 1.5% "


I think it can be assumed that these items all cost the EA money and they will cover the fee in that.


I think EA Fee's all depend on the house, the market and the seller.


0.5% is not unheard of, 1% is often achievable 2% and above expensive.

C_Mababejive

caprikid1 wrote: »

"1.5% is a lot! You will be paying for the EPC/photos/brochures in that 1.5% "


I think it can be assumed that these items all cost the EA money and they will cover the fee in that.


I think EA Fee's all depend on the house, the market and the seller.


0.5% is not unheard of, 1% is often achievable 2% and above expensive.

The thing is, a few dodgy photos ,an entry on right move and a sale board costs the same whether the property is a bedsit and is worth 25k or it is a detached worth 500k so why the difference?
EAs generally just mug off punters ,smile in their faces and stab them in the back back at the office.

Its a bit like LIBOR rate riggers. If they havent offloaded your house quickly,they have made no money so they con you into lowering the price or the old sealed bids con.

Surrey_EA

:think:

Not a fan then?

PixelPound

EA's do come in many varieties, but they are salespeople mainly driven by bonus from sales, and why they will probably push to sell more expensive houses first.

The difference in whether they sell your house for £95K or £85K isn't much to them,and unless they don't have many houses on their books then getting you to reduce to sell clears it. As to upfront fees, it is because your house is under £100k, so are ensure they are getting an amount (fee+%age) and the upfront means its worth their effort to at least leave the office.

Yes its £500 lost, but do you feel confident to keep with them?