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.

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.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Estate Agent termination of selling contract vs taking house off the market

Hi,

I had my house for sale for a few months last year but didn't sell it. I emailed the agent and asked them to take my house off the market which they did. I'm now considering using an online company like purple bricks instead. My current agent's selling contract notice period is 28 days. Does asking them to take the house off the market constitute a termination in contract? i.e. can I instruct another agent tomorrow. My house hasn't been on the market for a while so its outside the 28 days.

Comments

  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 25,735 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Bartoni79 said:
    Hi,

    I had my house for sale for a few months last year but didn't sell it. I emailed the agent and asked them to take my house off the market which they did. I'm now considering using an online company like purple bricks instead. My current agent's selling contract notice period is 28 days. Does asking them to take the house off the market constitute a termination in contract? i.e. can I instruct another agent tomorrow. My house hasn't been on the market for a while so its outside the 28 days.
    It's a good question, and I suggest that you contact the agent and ask them whether they insist on you giving them the formal notice. 
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • If you couldn't sell it with the local agent, are you really going to have more luck with purple bricks? 
  • You had an agent last year and you now have a new 'current' agent? You are looking to go to yet another one?

    Be careful as you might end up having to pay commission to all three when you sell! Read your contract/s and get confirmation from them in writing if they agree they have no further interest.

    If your property hasn't sold, however, it's unlikely to be down to the agent and more to do with price. Everyone looks online now so potential buyers will have seen your home. In fact going on with lots of different agents will make the situation worse IMHO and people will wonder what's wrong with the property.

    I would speak to your current ? agent and try to understand what the issues might be.
  • Hi,

    I probably wasn’t clear. I’ve only been with one agent not 2. Yes possibly the issue is the price but paying a flat rate with online company of £2000 vs 1.5% agent fees will cost me a lot more. I’ve already asked them to slash their fees and it’s not worked. So we’re looking at an online agent to save money. We sold a few years back through purple bricks and we saved a lot plus we did the viewings ourselves. 
  • Lots and lots and lots of threads on here about how absolutely awful PB are. Be lucky 
  • Hi, I’ve used them before but the discussion has gone off on a tangent. It was does taking the house off with an agent constitute a contract termination?
  • eddddy
    eddddy Posts: 17,532 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 25 January 2024 am31 11:59AM
    Bartoni79 said:
    Hi, I’ve used them before but the discussion has gone off on a tangent. It was does taking the house off with an agent constitute a contract termination?
    It depends on the facts of what happened.

    What did you say, and how would a reasonable person interpret what you said?


    Given the amount of money at stake, I think I would check with the estate agent that they interpreted whatever you said as "I am giving you 28 days written notice to end the contract".


    (As opposed to perhaps interpreting what you said as "Please take a pause from advertising the property and arranging viewings until I'm ready to re-start them.")


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
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support 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.