Selling: Use a local agent, or London-wide?

MrsGrey

I need to sell a one-bed flat in Archway. From your experience, would it be best to use a local agent with just one or two offices, or one of the big boys -- Bairstow Eves etc.? I'm guessing the big ones have a wider reach, but communication seems easier with the locals (based on my experience organising valuations). The commission seems to vary too -- quotes from 1.2% to 1.75%. What's the going rate? One more question -- do they hold open days just to make life easier for them? Thanks for any ideas.

dc197

Surely the London market is so permanently hot all you need is someone to add a rightmove listing and the flat will sell itself?
Therefore the reach of the agent is not so important. You're still only taking about one city.


I recently paid 1%+VAT for what my wife and I considered the best and most professional agent in our area (Buckinghamshire).

ANGLICANPAT

Main agent Finsbury Park area 1% . Seems to be the norm at the moment if you ask for that .They say more if you ask what their rate is.

eddddy

dc197 wrote: »

Surely the London market is so permanently hot all you need is someone to add a rightmove listing and the flat will sell itself?

You would think so.

But I was recently using one London EA who was getting no interest in a flat. I moved it to another EA just over the road, who added £20k to the asking price and sold it within a week.


Whilst everyone here says it wouldn't work on them - good EAs can get on the phone to their contacts and end up getting offers by saying stuff like:

"I've just got a new flat on the books. It's perfect for you. I've already got a long list of viewings for it. I'm sure it will be under offer within 48 hrs. You've got to view it today and make your offer if you're interested."