Misleading Estate agent - putting off buyers?

Rebeccas90

Our house went on the market almost 2 weeks ago. We've had 7 people see the house so far, all raised issues with the location. We've had 12 cancelled viewings, all due to location.

We bought it 18 months ago for 122k but it was run down, severe damp, rotten floor boards, damaged roof etc. It is on the market now for £190 (avg from 3 EAs), the house has been fully renovated, insulated and modernised throughout, fully replastered, new floors doors bathroom and wc, garden landscaped, fully repointed, roof repaired etc

The property is an ex-council house, area became private 20-30 years ago.

Our neighbour is very nice but a bit nosy, he called for a viewing and a lady in the EA told him that it is still a council estate and she didn't know if it was us or the old owners who renovated.
A different neighbour (our next door) said the same EA was telling people it was still a council estate when they were showing people around (our driveways are next to each other so easy to hear!) 

We've tried to speak to the initial EA but he is never available. However, the EA who did the viewings called me back and said she was using the information she was given then said i had a bad signal and she couldn't hear me and hung up.
In the feedback she gives after viewings, she never says location is the issue, she always says they don't want to live on a council estate. 

I don't see the problem even if it a council estate, but its weird that she keeps saying it is (and then saying its why people don't like the property) and she doesn't know anything about our house.

Am I being paranoid, is this a non issue? They're quite an expensive EA so we don't really want to have to pay them full fee then go to another EAA! 

Linton

If you believe it to be an issue then it is.  Possible options:
 - Phone the office and ask to speak to the manager
 - Complain in writing

theartfullodger

Change agents today.

In my experience living on ex-council estates gives you much nicer and friendly neighbours.  Who aren't always banging on about house prices

GoogleMeNow

People searching for properties in your price bracket will, I am sure, have looked the property up on Rightmove and searched on Streetview, Satellite Map, Road Map and done a 'drive by' to see exactly where your property is. 

If people are coming to view, then I highly doubt that the location has put them off if they've already done their research. 

Many council house estates are now in private ownership, with a few still rented out by the Council.  It is what it is.  People buy where and what they can afford, whether that is a smaller property in a better location or a larger property in a slightly less desirable location. 

Perhaps look at properties in your area selling for £180-200k and compare if those properties are in better locations and offer more for the money. 

I understand why you might be upset that the EA is referring to it as a council estate, but people generally take little notice of the EA, preferring instead to see for themselves. 

Can you not do the viewings yourself?

eddddy

Rebeccas90 said:

Am I being paranoid, is this a non issue? They're quite an expensive EA so we don't really want to have to pay them full fee then go to another EAA! 

It would be a very, very unusual EA contract if it had those terms. (Unless it's an online EA, or similar.)

Perhaps you mean you're still in the minimum contract period - so you'd have to pay double fees if another EA found a buyer during that period.

How long is your minimum contract period?

You can often terminate an EAs contract after the minimum contract period without having to pay any fees.

But some EAs charge a "Withdrawal Fee" or similar. (I sometimes really annoy EAs by suggesting it's a "fee for failure".)

You need to read through your contract to see what the termination terms are.

Rebeccas90

I asked if I could do the viewing initially but the manager (EA who did the valuation) said this puts off lots of potential buyers. They book a viewing a day rather than 4 or 5 in one day so don't think work would let me take that much time off! My husband also doesn't want to, he's quite shy.

The manager never answers his phone or responds to emails. We've asked if there's other things putting people off but the EA just keeps saying location/council estate

I've tried 180-200 nearby. There's a few out there. 
There's a nice one in a neighbour estate for 195k, nicer area, but smaller garden and bedrooms and no loft conversion. Decor nice just a bit tired. It's a bit further away from motorways but only 7-10 minutes extra.
There's another house on our street which is under offer for 180k, it's a newer house, 90s I think. All the rooms are smaller, no separate dining room or loft conversion or front garden. The garden is much smaller but it is very cute and South facing.

I definitely agree. We are only moving because of my work but we'll miss how friendly everyone is. My dog will miss his best friend next door!

Thrugelmir

Rebeccas90 said:

The manager never answers his phone or responds to emails. We've asked if there's other things putting people off but the EA just keeps saying location/council estate

Location, location, location is said for a reason. Your property has been on the market for only 2 weeks. At a time of year when it starts to quieten down. You'll find a buyer in due course. Just set the price right. 

peterhjohnson

Technically, your estate is not a "Council Estate". There are probably very few of them left in the country.
However, places that used to be "council" don't suddenly change their appearance and character dramatically overnight. Some buyers will like living on a (former) Council Estate while others wouldn't consider it. Your agent was right to use this shorthand description as it should help you get the right viewers.

canaldumidi

If you want to do the viewings yourself, then do so! The EA works for you so it's your choice. Sure, they can advise, but they can't dictate.

How long is the minimum term of your contract with them, and from what date? Provided you give proper notice (2 weeks? 3? 4?) you can switch EA once the minimum term expires. If you do, get a written list of all applicants they have introduced and pass that to your new EA - that avoids disputes later about who introduced a buyer.

Rebeccas90

The contract states there is no minimum term but we have to give 28 days notice if we want to be non exclusive.

The same is stated on their website. 

They are a high street EA, but based on what their HO says, since viewings have started we pay them the same whether they find us the buyer or another EA does. I've asked for more details as this sounds unlike any agent I've used before! 

canaldumidi

Please quote exact wording on your contract re the 28 days, and 'non exclusive'.

Please also quote exact wording re payment.