Estate Agent work

the_quick

Hi Guys

Can someone fully explain what is exactly role of estate agent when selling property? I know they will do pictures and such and put property on the market - websites end such. They supposed to be go between me and potential buyers. But would their role finish when we move sale to solicitors stage?

CommitedToChange

No, they will keep being a go between with you and your buyer right up to exhange.

I've used my vendors EA to answer questions, pass along information and chase when there have been unexpected delays.

Comms69

more or less yes, once you exchange


they market your property

Surrey_EA

Frequently, finding a buyer is the easy part.

A good EA will be a key component in smoothing the path between accepting an offer and exchange of contracts.

the_quick

And I though it would be my solicitor job to chase buyers solicitor, I stand corrected.

Thanks for your replies.

hazyjo

The estate agent I bought through held the chain together. Solicitors rarely have time to chase all parties. In fact, my solicitor didn't have a clue how many were even in the chain!

My estate agents on the other hand were pretty useless as have most I've used with the odd exception.

NineDeuce

The role of the estate agent is to provide as little service as possible for their exorbitant fees.

For their price, they will promise to give a little factual information as possible, make sure they do their hair nicely so they look the part, and pressurise people into making decisions they dont need to.

Besides that, little else... £1,500 please.... although some charge a percentage of the house sale, so somebody selling a house for £300,000 on 1% commission will have to pay double that of someone selling a house for £150,000.... for.... exactly.... the..... same.... shoddy..... service......

googler

NineDeuce wrote: »

... some charge a percentage of the house sale, so somebody selling a house for £300,000 on 1% commission will have to pay double that of someone selling a house for £150,000....

How would you prefer to pay?



The £300k owner does not HAVE to pay a particular agent's fee. They sign up with their chosen agent of their own free will.

NineDeuce

googler wrote: »

How would you prefer to pay?



The £300k owner does not HAVE to pay a particular agent's fee. They sign up with their chosen agent of their own free will.

I would prefer to pay like I could with a restaurant. i.e. sub-standard food means free courses and non-payment. Then they would get the £20 that they deserve....

googler

NineDeuce wrote: »

I would prefer to pay like I could with a restaurant. i.e. sub-standard food means free courses and non-payment. Then they would get the £20 that they deserve....

Oh, my ... how droll. Such wit.

C'mon, seriously ... how would you pay, if not by %age of sale price?

Flat fee for all?
Flat fee graded according to value?
Hourly rate?

Discuss.

Margot123

My EAs have been next to useless.
Gave away personal information to someone who rang them, never provided the amazing 3D floorplan they promised (and sealed the deal with), took really carp photos, described the property wrongly in their brochure, agreed to them showing folk round (empty house) then kept ringing me saying could I do it, went silent for 3 months, manager always in a meeting.

We are almost at exchange stage, and now they have livened up, chasing the buyer and solicitors.....they must have a whiff of their £2.8k commission!

No wonder PurpleBricks is gaining in strength.