We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Estate agents- what is a typical exclusivity period?

We have an investment property that is currently let out. We are looking to market it for sale with the same agents who currently manage the letting.

The agents have come in with a reasonable fee, but their exclusivity period is 20weeks. This looks high to me and exceeds the remaining term on the current tenancy. 

What would be a typical exclusivity period for agents? It is a city centre flat. 

Comments

  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,476 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    It's usually negotiable. Not an EA but have moved a lot. I wouldn't want more than 8 weeks. My last EA offered 6 before I even put a figure down.

    Extremely advisable to evict tenants before marketing. Or certainly within a few weeks of the transaction.

    Their fee is usually negotiable too. Not sure where you are, but it's been an EXTREMELY long time since I've paid over 1%.
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • sidneyvic
    sidneyvic Posts: 164 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    Most try for 12 or 16 weeks and when I'm done negotiatiing I usually cross the 16 weeks out put 2 weeks.

    Let them give you their spiel about they can sell it quickly etc etc then once done negotating price tell them it is 4 weeks or nothing. Guaranteed they will change it for you.
  • canaldumidi
    canaldumidi Posts: 3,511 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Don't know what the 'norm' is but I wouldn't sign up to more than 8 weeks max. If they are doing a good job you can always stick with them longer. If they are not, you don't want to be stuck with them for longer....
    Likewise don't agree to a long notice period. 2 weeks max.
  • wine_night
    wine_night Posts: 111 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the replies. When we had our house valued in the suburbs, the selling fees were typically 0.7-0.8% + VAT but in the city centres fees seem to be higher, at least 1%. 

    Looks like 20 weeks is a starting point to come down from! Thank you for the tips. 
  • Zerforax
    Zerforax Posts: 441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    It's a sellers market still as there is limited availability of properties still going up. Our estate agent really wanted our property and was so confident of a quick sale that he offered 4 weeks of exclusivity (we only needed one weekend of viewings). Just say that another estate agent offered 4-6 weeks exclusivity and I'm sure your estate agents will match.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.