Time to change agent?

twoLou

I would look at other agents but definitely check your contract beforehand.

It’s incredibly frustrating when a desirable house takes so long to sell to the right buyer, I’ve been in the same situation, thankfully we got there in the end but
only because of incredibly hard work by my agent for which I’m hugely grateful.

A few houses in my location change agents and then sell quite quickly so it obviously does work sometimes.

Grizebeck

Let the dog see the rabbit so to speak

Dogen

BobT36 said:

Dogen said:

But that properties at my price point are generally not shifting

..............
And does that not say anything to you? (price) ESPECIALLY if you are getting viewings (as in there are people around to look). 

Also how are people "timewasters" for doing their due diligence and viewing multiple properties? Are they only supposed to look at yours? 


After all these interest rate rises etc I really don't get this attitude of sellers right now that "the properties aren't shifting", yes, things have changed. When properties shift FAST (as per the last few years with minimal rates), prices go UP. When they don't shift, well something is meant to happen there isn't it. 

Well for sure it says something. But I am not the only one at this price point. My agent has several others at about the same price. But I've reduced it twice, big ugly proper reductions. And these prices are not made up by me. They are guided by the estate agent. Sellers can only really go by what the agents say they can work with. 

I;m not saying second viewers are necessarily timewasters. I am saying there are timewasters out there. Agents try to protect you from them but some still slip the net. I just don't know if second viewing means serious at the moment. 

I agree that prices need to go down int he current climate. Am I meant to do this on my own? If I drop my price any further, I start competing with tiny cottages and large apartments which haven't dropped their price either. 

Dogen

CSI_Yorkshire said:

That's how I bought my last two - one viewing, make offer, didn't see house or speak to the EA again until I collected the keys.

Having an EA bugging me for an offer because they were "chasing sales" or "pushing the house" would have put me off.

I do get this, it would probably put me off too. But I don't really get where the agent's skills are. If they are all just putting stuff online and waiting for a contact, it's not in bringing people in. So the skill must be in selling it positively when they have a viewing. I realise nobody can sell a spacehopper to someone who is desperate for an orange, but surely there is something an agent an do to make a home seem desirable?!

Dogen

twoLou said:

I would look at other agents but definitely check your contract beforehand.

It’s incredibly frustrating when a desirable house takes so long to sell to the right buyer, I’ve been in the same situation, thankfully we got there in the end but
only because of incredibly hard work by my agent for which I’m hugely grateful.

A few houses in my location change agents and then sell quite quickly so it obviously does work sometimes.

Thank you, your comment offers some hope.

CSI_Yorkshire

Dogen said:

CSI_Yorkshire said:

That's how I bought my last two - one viewing, make offer, didn't see house or speak to the EA again until I collected the keys.

Having an EA bugging me for an offer because they were "chasing sales" or "pushing the house" would have put me off.

I do get this, it would probably put me off too. But I don't really get where the agent's skills are. If they are all just putting stuff online and waiting for a contact, it's not in bringing people in. So the skill must be in selling it positively when they have a viewing. I realise nobody can sell a spacehopper to someone who is desperate for an orange, but surely there is something an agent an do to make a home seem desirable?!

My guess?  A bit of valuation, a bit of being friendly, a bit of chasing chains when one is agreed.  Not sure there's much they can really do to turn a viewer into an offer.  Complete guess though.

Have you considered posting the rightmove listing here so people can give you some advice on why it might not be shifting?

Dogen

Grizebeck said:

Let the dog see the rabbit so to speak

Sorry, appreciate what you're saying but I fear the dog might kill the rabbit. 

Dogen

CSI_Yorkshire said:

My guess?  A bit of valuation, a bit of being friendly, a bit of chasing chains when one is agreed.  Not sure there's much they can really do to turn a viewer into an offer.  Complete guess though.

Have you considered posting the rightmove listing here so people can give you some advice on why it might not be shifting?

You are probably right. But as you hint, it is very hard to be sure.

Don't feel I can post it. Sorry. I am being quite open about how I feel about my agent and I don't want them or me to be identified. 

Sarah1Mitty2

BobT36 said:

Dogen said:

But that properties at my price point are generally not shifting

..............
And does that not say anything to you? (price) ESPECIALLY if you are getting viewings (as in there are people around to look). 

Also how are people "timewasters" for doing their due diligence and viewing multiple properties? Are they only supposed to look at yours? 


After all these interest rate rises etc I really don't get this attitude of sellers right now that "the properties aren't shifting", yes, things have changed. When properties shift FAST (as per the last few years with minimal rates), prices go UP. When they don't shift, well something is meant to happen there isn't it. 

Yes, this basically sums up where we are at the moment.

Emily_Joy

Have you ever asked your agent for more informative feedback than "they loved the house"? 

(Not that I think it will help, but in our little town there is a house for sale with asking price offers over £490K. It is a 2 bed semi from 1930 on a very busy road - the noise from cars would personally kill me. It has quite a large garden with a summer house that is currently used as a workshop and is located next to a popular school - even more morning traffic! It is hard to see what the owners and the agent are thinking - there are 4 beds semi available for less than that in a better location, admittedly without summer house).