Estate Agent Asking for More Money to List Property for Another 6 Months

eddddy

adzy77 said:

Personal opinion of course but the way Strike works actually works great for us. I can manage my viewing calendar, all viewing requests, messages and offers come direct to me and I can manage it all myself.

This is going to sound incredibly harsh, and you might be outraged by this suggestion...

But you've been managing it all yourself so far, and 2 sales have fallen through. Would that have happened if a good, professional estate agent had been managing the sales?

For example, qualifying the buyers at the outset, progressing the sale to exchange, etc.

TonyMMM

adzy77 said:

TonyMMM said:

I tried to buy a property listed by Strike last year - gave up in the end, they were terrible to deal with, and would never try again with them. Luckily we quickly found a nicer property listed through a local agent.

What problems did you encounter?

Personal opinion of course but the way Strike works actually works great for us. I can manage my viewing calendar, all viewing requests, messages and offers come direct to me and I can manage it all myself.

Call centre staff who didn't seem to understand the house buying/selling process at all, constant calls trying to get me to use their solicitor/surveyor/removal firms, trying to sell me insurance and even asking if I'd made a will. Forcing me to use an on-line ID system that didn't work properly, ....I could go on....... It might seem good for a seller, but as a buyer ....never again.

adzy77

eddddy said:

adzy77 said:

Personal opinion of course but the way Strike works actually works great for us. I can manage my viewing calendar, all viewing requests, messages and offers come direct to me and I can manage it all myself.

This is going to sound incredibly harsh, and you might be outraged by this suggestion...

But you've been managing it all yourself so far, and 2 sales have fallen through. Would that have happened if a good, professional estate agent had been managing the sales?

For example, qualifying the buyers at the outset, progressing the sale to exchange, etc.

First one fell through due to their buyer pulling out.

Second one fell through as they had to relocate for work.

Relevant ID checks, proof of funds etc. were all carried out by strike beforehand 

Hoenir

adzy77 said:

The property sale has fell through a couple of times (both buyers fault) hence why its been up for 6 months and have no interest to moving to a different EA at this stage.

Out of curiosity why were the buyers at fault? House buying is fraught with hidden potholes. Rarely is it plain sailing. 

adzy77

Hoenir said:

adzy77 said:

The property sale has fell through a couple of times (both buyers fault) hence why its been up for 6 months and have no interest to moving to a different EA at this stage.

Out of curiosity why were the buyers at fault? House buying is fraught with hidden potholes. Rarely is it plain sailing. 

See above....should probably say fault at buyers end

twopenny

"the way Strike works actually works great for us. I can manage my viewing calendar, all viewing requests, messages and offers come direct to me and I can manage it all myself."

Have you thought that the buyers aren't so keen on this system? Not everyone wants to go though an online agent.

When selling my house the buyers had an online EA and it was a really irritating problem getting the agent to respond when necessary. I found others who had the same problem and there was very low take up in the area.

I went through a local agent, did some haggling between the different ones and got a low rate. I did the same with the solicitor.

All viewings were done to mutual convenience with a phone call or text, my choice.

Olinda99

adzy77 said:

Olinda99 said:

unless you are in no hurry and are willing to wait an unspecified amount of time for a sale I would definitely consider listing it with a local proper estate agent.

anything you have saved over the last six months by choosing a cheap agent like strike you have definitely lost due to the general reduction in house prices over that period

Im interested to understand your reasoning for this one? and is not a challenge of your views by the way.

In my opinion, if a house is for sale and listed on rightmove and zoopla then I dont see what difference the estate agent makes?

Im expecting you to say that they have a little black book of people who are looking to buy in the area that they can reach out to but, as per above those potential buyers will see it on the portals anyway and from my experience of viewing properties, 3 different EA's have listed new properties similar to properties we had previously viewed with them, but not one of them contacted me to let me know.

I think it is just a feeling I have that there is a difference between an online agent and a proper hands on local agent even though as you say correctly both of them list on rightmove

obviously as we all know the first port of call for most buyers is rightmove but I think a surprising number of buyers are put off by having to deal with someone like strike as opposed to dealing with a well-known high Street local agent who can put their expertise to use in progressing your sale

only my view of course but I suppose you can sum it up in the phrase 'you get what you pay for'

theartfullodger

Sounds to me like agent is entitled to these actions.  You signed the conditions.

Re-list with another agent that has terms you are prepared to accept.

(Sold 3.5 houses in last 5 years... one joint with sister).  I always spend time and effort trying to flatter and help agents: Usually a wise investment, cheaper than the alternative.

Best regards to all.

BellaBlondykeTheThird

£199 for another 6 months doesn't sound too bad.

Herzlos

adzy77 said:

Olinda99 said:

unless you are in no hurry and are willing to wait an unspecified amount of time for a sale I would definitely consider listing it with a local proper estate agent.

anything you have saved over the last six months by choosing a cheap agent like strike you have definitely lost due to the general reduction in house prices over that period

Im interested to understand your reasoning for this one? and is not a challenge of your views by the way.

In my opinion, if a house is for sale and listed on rightmove and zoopla then I dont see what difference the estate agent makes?

Im expecting you to say that they have a little black book of people who are looking to buy in the area that they can reach out to but, as per above those potential buyers will see it on the portals anyway and from my experience of viewing properties, 3 different EA's have listed new properties similar to properties we had previously viewed with them, but not one of them contacted me to let me know.

For us the local estate agent already had a network of potential buyers.

In terms of buying, they sent us a preview on a house and we'd viewed and offered before it went onto rightmove.
In terms of selling, they did the same and our buyer was actually viewing a completely different house and then ours was suggested and they fell in love with it.

None of that would have happened if we were doing just listings or a remote agent. Well worth the £1500ish we paid for the EA, in my opinion. He potentially made us more than that.