Advice needed on Estate Agent vs online Estate Agent

mrmcmc

I am using House Simple & have been very happy with them

mrsmazza

We tried to sell via an online agent 2 years ago. Had 6 viewings within a week and 2 offers. It was awful , our vendors really were the vendors from hell, demanding this and that trying to knock money off twice ! In the end we pulled out.
In the end went to a local agent , they did all the viewing, they had all the Hassel, and we negotiated the fee as well to 1% .

Fidel_Castronaut

Hi all,

Apologies to necro the thread but seeing as it's on the front page I didn't want to start a new one (also, new member, so hullo all! I love this site, lurk through it everyday almost!)

We recently instructed PB after analysing and considering our position. We live in a flat in an area where property prices are elevating to silly money. We spoke to both PB and a couple of local EAs and calculated a cost saving of around £2k through using PB.

However, after reading reviews and queries about their business model I'm beginning to have my doubts. Couple this with the fact our local PB agent is quite difficult to get in contact with I'm thinking of using our right to cancel (instructed 2 days ago, no advert posted because no response from agent). However the cost saving is still a big draw.

Other issue was the fact that the deferred payment option was communicated to us but the mandatory use of conveyancing was not. I only spotted it after reading through the T&Cs as our agent did not communicate it to us. We have our own solicitors that we have used in the past and have always found them helpful and reasonably priced. Reviews of the PB conveyancer have been average at best and I read that they are fairly slow to respond to people in the chain which holds up the process.

However, again, on the flip side, as we live in an area where our property will undoubtedly sell within a week (well, here's hoping!) and we are in no real rush to move as such, I feel as though I can tolerate the potential pitfalls for the £2k saving. It's a difficult thought process and I'm really stuck in thinking through my decision on this at the moment. My gut instinct having dealt with companies and suppliers for years at work is that if something doesn't feel right, go with your instinct. My biggest fear is that I don't want to throw £800 down the drain sticking with people who are, at the moment, fairly uncommunicative. I'm giving them money and I expect their service to match what they promise. So far I've not found that to be the case though it is early doors.

Fidel_Castronaut

Just as an update to the above, we've decided to utilise our right to cancel and have contacted the relevant email address with an official notification therein. No contact from our local agent at all since instructing, not even to say he's not available. Called, emailed, texted, nothing. I do appreciate that things do not move at lightning pace, however I was only asking for clarification of a date/time when our PB agent would be able to come over and take photos/do dimensions etc as we both work long hours and need to earmark some time.

The fact I have had no response both from our agent and the central enquiries number (who have been helpful but have not managed to get in touch with the agent it would seem) makes me fear for what would happen should someone wish to make an offer or discuss something with an agent directly.

My gut was to walk away and I'm happy with that. The cost incurred does irk me a little bit but I originally forecast a cost with a 1.5% commission anyway so I'm still in line with the traditional EA costs.,

wwl

Fidel_Castronaut wrote: »

Just as an update to the above, we've decided to utilise our right to cancel and have contacted the relevant email address with an official notification therein. No contact from our local agent at all since instructing, not even to say he's not available. Called, emailed, texted, nothing. I do appreciate that things do not move at lightning pace, however I was only asking for clarification of a date/time when our PB agent would be able to come over and take photos/do dimensions etc as we both work long hours and need to earmark some time.

The fact I have had no response both from our agent and the central enquiries number (who have been helpful but have not managed to get in touch with the agent it would seem) makes me fear for what would happen should someone wish to make an offer or discuss something with an agent directly.

My gut was to walk away and I'm happy with that. The cost incurred does irk me a little bit but I originally forecast a cost with a 1.5% commission anyway so I'm still in line with the traditional EA costs.,

If you paid by card, and have had basically no service it might be worth trying a credit-card chargeback on the basis of service not delivered.

The_Pink_Scarf

How did you get on sturgeon? did you go online in the end?

Anyone heard of homeseller.com - recently saw the advert with Sarah Parish in that's on telly at the mo,
sure that's them, they only charge £695 inc VAT, oh how times change! : )

Hoof_Hearted

You get a less complete service from an online agent, but the huge saving is worth it. We used Housenetwork and were delighted with them.

Davesnave

The_Pink_Scarf wrote: »

Spammer reported.

Davesnave

mrsmazza wrote: »

We tried to sell via an online agent 2 years ago. Had 6 viewings within a week and 2 offers. It was awful , our vendors really were the vendors from hell, demanding this and that trying to knock money off twice ! In the end we pulled out.
In the end went to a local agent , they did all the viewing, they had all the Hassel, and we negotiated the fee as well to 1% .

It sounds as if you were the vendors.

Perhaps, if you aren't sure of the difference between a purchaser and a vendor, you may need your hand held a bit.

Some are confident in showing people around, writing blurb and negotiation, while others aren't. It's a matter of personal choice and abilities.

I've sold via an agent for 1% and I'd also be willing to do on-line. It depends a lot on the circumstances.

LittleMax

I would be interested to know how Sturgeon got on.

Looking through this thread it seems 2 people had been satisfied with each of Hatched and House Simple and 1 each with Tepilo and House Network. I will have another look at the websites and decide who to get out.

I have had two local agents in this week, both given same valuation and so want to charge me over £4.5k if successful! When I asked what I get for the extra - they told me they will persuade more people to come and view who may be viewing similar properties and one was really pleased to report that he will squeeze more money - as much as an extra £2k (I didn't even bother telling him he needs to squeeze nearly double that just for me to break even!).