Estate Agents – York area.

Biggus_Dickus

My son is looking to sell his house in York. He’s had a couple of ‘quotes’ and both estate agents want around £4k in total to sell the house.

Does anyone know of an estate agency with an office in York (or nearby) that works on a set fee etc rather than a percentage commission basis?

As ever, all replies gratefully received.

eddddy

As with many things, just going for the cheapest EA might be a false economy.

Other things to consider are...

• How good they are at achieving sales (particularly the type of property your son has).

• How good they are at achieving good prices

• How good they are at sales progression (e.g. 'nursing' a difficult transaction through to completion)

Sometimes a cheaper EA's business model is to use their low fees to attract lots of properties onto their books - whilst sitting back and doing very little active 'selling'.

But if your son has an 'easy-to-sell' property, in a buoyant market that might be ok.

Slithery

Has he tried negotiating a smaller fee?

Biggus_Dickus

eddddy wrote: »

As with many things, just going for the cheapest EA might be a false economy.

Other things to consider are...

• How good they are at achieving sales (particularly the type of property your son has).

• How good they are at achieving good prices

• How good they are at sales progression (e.g. 'nursing' a difficult transaction through to completion)

Sometimes a cheaper EA's business model is to use their low fees to attract lots of properties onto their books - whilst sitting back and doing very little active 'selling'.

But if your son has an 'easy-to-sell' property, in a buoyant market that might be ok.

Thanks for the reply ed,...good points, ...much appreciated.:)

The motivation behind my thread starter is based on my own recent ‘selling’ experience.
I live in Cheshire and I’ve recently sold a house in the NorthWest. The first local high street estate agent I asked to value/market the house wanted approx £3750 plus £350 accompanied viewing fees.

The second high street estate agent (directly across the road from the first agent!) wanted a set fee plus £240 for unlimited accompanied viewings.

Both local agents valued the house at exactly the same price and both are part of long established estate agency firms with numerous offices in the NorthWest;...difficult to see how the first agent could justify their charges when there was no discernible difference between the service on offer from either agent.

I chose the cheaper estate agent;...the house sold within 5 days at the price I wanted. The final bill from the estate agent was £1172.40 and that included at least 6 accompanied viewings.

We are rather hoping to find a similar estate agency service in York but the ones we’ve contacted seem to be a tad reluctant to discuss their pricing structure over the phone.

need_an_answer

Biggus_Dickus wrote: »

We are rather hoping to find a similar estate agency service in York but the ones we’ve contacted seem to be a tad reluctant to discuss their pricing structure over the phone.

That possibly a good sign,in as much as they want to see what you want them to market and there could be negotiation on the fees involved.

eddddy

Biggus_Dickus wrote: »

We are rather hoping to find a similar estate agency service in York but the ones we’ve contacted seem to be a tad reluctant to discuss their pricing structure over the phone.

Yes - they'll typically want to see the property and meet you face-to-face, before discussing fees.

It's because they are salespeople / negotiators and they want to sell their services to you (and negotiate a fee with you) face-to-face.


The quality of their salesmanship and their negotiation skills can sometimes help you decide whether they're a good EA to go with.

(And it can be really interesting to listen to some of their 'techniques' like: "If I let you negotiate me down to a 1% fee, that would mean I'm a lousy negotiator. And you don't want a lousy negotiator selling your house, do you?")


Edit to add...

Plus very important - take their contracts away and read them before signing.

Consider all eventualities - like the EA doesn't find a buyer, you want to change EAs, you change your mind about selling, and make sure you understand what fees would be payable in all those circumstances etc.

Some EAs contracts can have much worse terms than others buried in them.

Biggus_Dickus

Slithery wrote: »

Has he tried negotiating a smaller fee?

need_an_answer wrote: »

That possibly a good sign,in as much as they want to see what you want them to market and there could be negotiation on the fees involved.

He hasn't tried negotiating a fee as yet but it's certanly something to keep in mind;

... anyone got a success story re haggling with estate agents?,,,,tips etc?

eddddy

Biggus_Dickus wrote: »

... anyone got a success story re haggling with estate agents?,,,,tips etc?

I tend to do this....

Get quotes from a few EAs - then pick the one you want to instruct, plus a cheaper one.

Then say to the one you want "I really want to instruct you, but yxz EA is offering a lower fee - are you able to price match?"

(But I wouldn't fib about what other EAs are quoting. EAs tend to be well aware of what their competitors are doing.)

k3lvc

York's has a diverse property market so depends on the type/value/salebility of the property offered.


Assuming mass market house/flat without a significant point of difference then I'd be looking for an Estate Agent/Solicitor with close links that can make sure the whole thing proceeds smoothly to completion - this is worth more than saving a feww hundred quid


If it's something that's a bit more individual that one of the independents can get their teeth into and 'sell' then negotiate with them - look at Indigo Greens & Naish

k3lvc

Biggus_Dickus wrote: »

.. anyone got a success story re haggling with estate agents?,,,,tips etc?

Not in recent times but when the stamp duty threshold was £250k we negotiated with a national chain a fixed fee up to £250k sale price and a (higher) % of anything achieved above that.


In the end sold to a neighbour for just under £250k but saved all EA fees so better deal all round