Sold Prior to Marketing

Nature_Lover74

Hi again @ss2020jd, thank you for your reply.  I'm very sorry to hear you're so stressed.  If it's any consolation, we are too!  For us, this has all been rumbling on since 2019 and it's starting to take its toll.  We're pretty grounded, down-to-earth people but this is a big cloud hanging over us every day.  Now we've finally sold to who we think/hope is a good buyer - and we are grateful for the fact we've SSTC - we now can't find anywhere.  The prospect of trying to find somewhere to rent with two dogs is also stressing us out.  Have a go at leafletting; you have nothing to lose apart from a bit of time delivering them and if nothing else, it makes you feel as though you're doing something proactive?!  Of course, it may not work but at least we've tried.  (Haven't heard anything yet from yesterday's leafletting but I'll keep you posted; and if you try it, you're most welcome to let me know of any progress).  Keep on keeping on, ss2020jd; you're in my thoughts.

Nature_Lover74

Hi @trakky14; thanks for your comment.  I'm sorry to hear you're going through the same.  It's all very well 'being positive' and all that but it grinds you down when you know you're probably further down the list when a property does come on the market (or even *before* it's on the market in the usual way!).  But keep on trying; I know it's wearing but do make yourself known to the EAs, if you have time.  I know you have a big search area but maybe prioritise leafletting your most preferred areas?  I appreciate that may be a mammoth task though.  You're right, perhaps give EAs an actual phone call from now on, rather than an email?  (I'm not particularly fond of Agent A (please see earlier in the thread regarding that!) but I think it's time to make myself more known to them in the same way, as I've just suggested to you.   I sincerely wish you all the luck in the world finding somewhere and keep me posted.  

ss2020jd

Thank you @Nature_Lover74. I’ll be keeping everything crossed for you. 

Thankfully after taking our property off over the winter and waiting til the spring we found dream (so far 🤞) buyers and have set completion date, just waiting to exchange.

We are renting too and that has definitely reduced some of the stress so far.

I think I will try it. As you say it feels at least like you are doing something.

Look forward to hearing some positive news your end. Keep up the good work! 

ss2020jd

trakky14 said:

ss2020jd said:

Ashworks said:

None of the EAs near us are contacting people proactively at the moment. A couple have mailing lists but they still say check RM as they are not generally bothering to contact people directly. In this market they obviously don't feel they need to. I am ringing them every few days in the hope of catching something before it goes on RM. 

This is exactly the same for me. I may have had one or two emails saying ‘coming soon’ but I have seen a lot that come on to rightmove as sstc but also say ‘added today’. So they are going online as sold as more of a marketing boast to show how fast the agent is. 

Some agents contact investors or buyers on their books first and these may also include sellers who have sold, or are selling with them. They would probably be a priority to the agent to keep the sale on track etc. 

I know someone that just recently rang an estate agent they knew to tell them they were selling, the agent made a call and then it was sold without ever going online. 

So I feel your pain too but it’s unlikely to be a personal thing OP. There are just more buyers to properties at the moment. It also depends on their position. Cash buyers will usually be contacted first. 

I have noticed more coming on and now with the stamp duty holiday dwindling things could change a little. It’s hard to tell. But best of luck with finding somewhere soon.  

We have the same same issues here, lots seem to be sales which have fallen through, however the agents are actually contacting alll the people that bid first time around (everything is going to best and final offers here due to multiple over asking price bids) so the rest of us don't get a look in. On the rare occasion something makes it to rightmove its a stampede for viewings and the agents don't seem to have enough time to show the houses...its so difficult. The agent that has sold our house has leaflet dropped on our behalf with no luck, maybe we should try it! Our search radius is massive though so wouldn't know where to start 🤪 I was emailing agents for anything new but they ignore me now, might have to try the phones again 😀

Yes a stampede is exactly how I would describe it.

Wow, your agent sounds dedicated to do that on your behalf! I suppose if they found you a seller they would get another fee so that’s a good motivation.

I hope you have some success soon. 

Nature_Lover74

Hi @ss2020jd.....really pleased to hear you've found your dream buyers; I'm thinking that can be harder to find than one's dream home sometimes?!  Also really pleased for you to hear that some of the stress has been reduced by you renting for now.  My husband is very reluctant to go into rented (which is just adding to my stress levels to be honest; he's even talked about maybe staying where we are instead *screams with frustration*) but I keep saying to him we *mustn't* lose our sale - goodness knows it's been bad enough getting to even this stage.  Plus of course, to stay put isn't fair to our buyer whatsoever.          Oh, definitely give leafletting a go!  I know it can work out for some; it almost did for us a couple of years ago (we got a response from one homeowner!)....but then we didn't manage sell our house at that point.  Plus you're in rented, which puts you in a great position for starters.   Thank you for your kind words and let me know how it all goes for you. 

Nature_Lover74

Hi @Scotbot; sorry to hear you had trouble with all this a couple of years ago.  Like the whole process isn't difficult enough?!  I hope things are back on track for you now? Thanks for your encouraging words; yep, looks like I'll have to make more of a nuisance of myself with local EAs.  As I've previously mentioned, Agent A seems to be the only EA that's suddenly creating a 'SPtM' trend around here and they're the EA who we previously tried selling with.  We've now SSTC with another local EA, so I'm not expecting much - maybe unfairly? - from Agent A.  Still, you're right, I'll probably have to bite that bullet and make myself more known to them.  Thanks again.    

Octothorpe

I found the only way to get notified first was to call them each week and ask what new houses they were getting on their books. Just joining the mailing list didn't work. 

catshark88

We sold without hitting the market properly. We told the agent we were planning to sell (they knew us and the house already) and they had half a dozen people who they knew to be proceedable, round a couple of days later. All offered and we accepted an asking price offer from someone v proceedable and completed in about 6 weeks (searches and all the conveyencers being really busy made it that long).

I do wonder if we could have got a little more if we'd marketed it more but we were happy with the price and the reduced stress of a quick deal/ process seemed more important.

Nature_Lover74

Hi @Octothorpe.  I'm currently on their emailing list but you're right, it's not enough.  Time to get them to take a bit more notice of me, methinks!  Thank you for your reply.  

Nature_Lover74

Hi @catshark88.....many congratulations on your sale!  I'm pleased to hear 'SPtM' worked for you from a vendors' point of view; I can completely understand it....the EA will know your house, know who's proceedable and what kind of people on their 'books' want it.  Also saves lots of people traipsing round your property 'for a nose' and sorts the wheat from the chaff (so to speak) from the very start.  We'd all like more from our property sales but you're right; as long as you're happy with an early offer from very proceedable buyers (as we were), I say just get on with it!  But I do appreciate it's not like that for everyone.  I hope you're very happy in your onward purchase.