Scared!

Thatsthespirit

Wanting to sell my flat. I have a very vague idea of the process but I'm worried about being overcharged on stuff or being offered to include this for this amount. I have no clue.

Firstly, which and how many estate agents should I contact for a valuation? And is it free? What do I have to provide them with? I'm guessing they are like vultures in this market.

I bought this flat when I was 21 (23 now) and the whole thing fried my brain. Is it easier/harder to sell? I'm going to be moving back in with parents before going off travelling (that's the goal) so there won't be any chain as such on my part...

G_M

Local library. Borrow a free book on house buying-selling. You're gonna have lots of questions so that will help explain a lot.

Get 3 agents round (free - they want your business!). ask for
* what price they suggest advertising at
* what price they realistically expect to sell for
* what fee they charge (negotiate it down!)
* what minimum contract period they want for a sole agency contract) (negotiate it down!)

Visist 3 local solicitors ad ask to speak to a conveyancing solicitor for a quote. Decide which one feels most competatnt, approachable. Compare prices carefully.....

see

http://www.theadvisory.co.uk/conveyancing-quote.php

jimbog

come back here at any stage if you feel unsure what you should do next

Thatsthespirit

Thanks guys, I'll get onto some estate agents this afternoon!

eddddy

Thatsthespirit wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'll get onto some estate agents this afternoon!

Ask each of them for a copy of their standard contract before agreeing to anything...

- Make sure you understand all the fees, and under what circumstances fees are payable - especially if the property isn't sold.
- Push very hard for a 'No Sale, No Fee' contract (although in some parts of the country this seems to be difficult).
- Ask for a 6 week minimum contract period, and let them negotiate you up to 8 weeks.


- Don't hesitate to say to the EA you like best "The other EA has quoted me x% - will you match it?"

Davesnave

eddddy wrote: »

Don't hesitate to say to the EA you like best "The other EA has quoted me x% - will you match it?"

Especially this.

We once walked out of a meeting when the agent we really wanted, refused to price-match with the one across the square.

Half way across the square, my mobile rang and a voice said "OK, 1%."

Thatsthespirit

Booked the 3 agents for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. My Dad's offered to come over for when they get round so that's eased me a little.

They've asked me stuff over the phone like 'what I think the property is valued at' which stumped me a little.

bobobski

Now clean and tidy your flat

P.S. What's the chances you're a BMTH fan?

jimbog

Thatsthespirit wrote: »

Booked the 3 agents for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. My Dad's offered to come over for when they get round so that's eased me a little.

They've asked me stuff over the phone like 'what I think the property is valued at' which stumped me a little.

It always annoys me when estate agents ask me that. Just reply with something like 'whatever the market value is at the moment'

Don't necessarily just go for the estate agent with the highest valuation. It could just be a ruse to get you to sign and, when you have little in the way of viewings, suggest lowering the price anyway

Thatsthespirit

bobobski wrote: »

Now clean and tidy your flat

P.S. What's the chances you're a BMTH fan?

You know it! Even the old stuff.

Ok... 1 down 2 to go.

Not sure if I should be throwing figures around but charging £495 up front then £495 on completion making a saving of £500 somewhere in the works.

Valued it 10K what I paid for it. Reckon I should bang it on at 15K above, maybe a little more and take in offers below.

From what he was saying it'll sell quick at the right price, a lot bloody quicker than I thought. I'm in no way after a quick sale, so would I be wise to test the water and see what interest I get? (Questions popping into my head now he's gone - typical)

jimbog

I personally wouldn't choose one with an upfront fee instead choosing one who would charge a percentage on exchange (in this way they would have an incentive to push the sale through all the way to the end)