what to expect from estate agent

Flugelhorn

I am selling a house as an executor (long distance from where I live) - had 4 agents to view, chose one and they came back to do EPC / photos and floor plans.

Promised all the details in a "couple of days", nil yet "they are very busy"..... :mad:

I haven't seen sight of a contract yet - would this be normally done first?

Also do they normally require evidence of ID at this stage?

Can I cancel and go with one of the others?

squirrel99

If they are already not very responsive, I would think very carefully whether it's worth proceeding with them. I imagine you can still change your mind if you haven't signed the contract yet.

My EA was great until I signed the contract, everything went down the hill after. No feedback, inaccurate rightmove ad, awful quality dark photos, and very rude customer service after I have notice to cancel after long 3 months.

Flugelhorn

I noticed that they were much more keen before I asked them to take the property on than after.. seriously thinking what to do. Only problem is getting back to retrieve the keys / let another agent in etc etc - had allowed time before but now work getting in the way

Surrey_EA

How long has it been since you gave them the go ahead?

Flugelhorn

I said verbally a week ago today , they came round 2 days later to do photos etc and said they would have details in a couple of days

Surrey_EA

If they visited the property last Thursday there has only been 3 whole working days since then, and it takes a little time to prepare floor plan, EPC, brochure etc.

I'd give them a call to see what they're up to, explain you were expecting to see something by now, find out what's happening.

Flugelhorn

I contacted them this morning to be told that they were very busy and would get on with it soon.

Any thoughts on there being no signed contract?

Surrey_EA

Flugelhorn wrote: »

Any thoughts on there being no signed contract?

I would normally send the contract for the client to sign along with a draft of the sales particulars, for the vendor to approve, and give them an opportunity to make any alterations to the brochure.

I would expect this to take place within a week of being given instructions to market a property.

They're not in the very slow category yet, but now you've chased them I would hope you should have everything by the close of play tomorrow.

If not, tell them not to worry any longer and that one of their competitors will be visiting their offices to collect the keys, as they will now be taking over the instruction.

Flugelhorn

Thanks - useful to know that the contract may come with the draft of the sales particulars.

Do you do ID checks at that stage?

Surrey_EA

Flugelhorn wrote: »

Thanks - useful to know that the contract may come with the draft of the sales particulars.

Do you do ID checks at that stage?

Yep, different ways of checking ID, processes will vary between agents.

thelem

Flugelhorn wrote: »

Any thoughts on there being no signed contract?

Have you seen their standard contract? When I listed all agents were happy to leave a copy at the end of their valuation visit. At the very least you should have discussed fee and sole agency period with them (one agent had a 3 month sole agency period, and reduced that to 4 weeks without even being asked).

If you proceed without signing a contract I think they can claim that you've agreed to their standard terms, even if you've not properly reviewed them.