Estate Agent Fees

Andyjp1

Hi All,
After reading the reviews about Purple Bricks & Yopa, I'm edging more towards finding a more local estate agent to assist with putting my house on the market.
Connells is a popular agent within my area and tends to have houses sold within a quick turn around.
Has anybody used them before and could give me an idea of what they charge to sell the house?
Is it a percentage?
My house value is at around £170k

Thanks in advance!

eddddy

Most local EAs charge a percentage on completion, but it's often negotiable - especially if another agent has quoted you less.

But there are a number of other things to check in EAs' contracts...

• Minimum contract period - typically negotiable, normally aim for 6 to 8 weeks.
• Genuine 'No Sale, No Fee' - some EAs say that, but their contract says different
• 'Ready, willing and able buyer' clauses in the contract - ideally avoided, because they can cause arguments
• 'Sole Agency' vs 'Sole Selling Rights'
• Withdrawal fees, marketing fees and/or any other fees that are payable in any circumstances 

Put another way, don't just consider the fees payable if the EA successfully sells the property.

Also consider the fees (and your contractual commitments) if...

• The EA is useless and you want to move to another EA
• You change your mind about selling, before you accept an offer
• You change your mind about selling, after you accept an offer
• You accept an offer, but the buyer walks away
• You come across a friend who wants to buy your property and you don't want to involve an EA