How do you choose an estate agent?

MultiFuelBurner

We have always sold ourselves, taken our own photos and used whatever cheap online right move affiliated agent we can find at the time. We write our own descriptions as well.

We know our house better than any EA ever can and can answer questions instantly on the day of viewing and aren't afraid to negotiate face to face.

It doesn't work if any of the above scares or worries you and that's where you should go to a local knowledgeable EA. Get three round to value and show you their flashy brochures and sales patter and chose the one that suits you. Check the contract and make sure you can get out without any fees in 12 weeks(3 months).

BungalowBel

MultiFuelBurner said:

We have always sold ourselves, taken our own photos and used whatever cheap online right move affiliated agent we can find at the time. We write our own descriptions as well.

We know our house better than any EA ever can and can answer questions instantly on the day of viewing and aren't afraid to negotiate face to face.

It doesn't work if any of the above scares or worries you and that's where you should go to a local knowledgeable EA. Get three round to value and show you their flashy brochures and sales patter and chose the one that suits you. Check the contract and make sure you can get out without any fees in 12 weeks(3 months).

Please excuse me hi-jacking the OP's thread.

I just wanted to say this post has really helped me.  We will be selling our BTL flat soon.  It will be empty.  We are quite happy to take our own photos, do our own description and show prospective buyers round - the only thing we want an EA for is to get on Rightmove .  My husband just wants to go with Purple Bricks because they are cheap.  I was hesitant because I have heard bad reports about their customer services, but I think from what you have said, that they will be OK for what we want.  Thanks.

MultiFuelBurner

BungalowBel said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

We have always sold ourselves, taken our own photos and used whatever cheap online right move affiliated agent we can find at the time. We write our own descriptions as well.

We know our house better than any EA ever can and can answer questions instantly on the day of viewing and aren't afraid to negotiate face to face.

It doesn't work if any of the above scares or worries you and that's where you should go to a local knowledgeable EA. Get three round to value and show you their flashy brochures and sales patter and chose the one that suits you. Check the contract and make sure you can get out without any fees in 12 weeks(3 months).

Please excuse me hi-jacking the OP's thread.

I just wanted to say this post has really helped me.  We will be selling our BTL flat soon.  It will be empty.  We are quite happy to take our own photos, do our own description and show prospective buyers round - the only thing we want an EA for is to get on Rightmove .  My husband just wants to go with Purple Bricks because they are cheap.  I was hesitant because I have heard bad reports about their customer services, but I think from what you have said, that they will be OK for what we want.  Thanks.

I think purple bricks and strike are going through a merger and there have been a few complaints about previous purple bricks contracts so do your research.

It seems the ones we have used in the past that cost £99 and £179 each time have gone (not a surprise the price was stupidly low)

You could check out these

https://griffinproperty.co/sell-your-property

Their £595.00 package

And I welcome anyone with any info on Griffin property.

Wes121708

Thanks everyone for your input. Well we've had three in now which have all given us the same valuation and option to test the water to go slightly higher thanks to a house on our road which has just sold. I'd like to see if that goes through first and completes.
I think we've ruled one out and it'll be a couple of months as need to finish off so will get the other two back in then.
Not keen to sale it myself as I'm too honest and have a tendency to point to all the flaws.
One did say we should put ours on first not wait for house to come up which makes sense as if we've sold we'll be in a better position.

horsewithnoname

I used the EA I’d bought the house through because I liked him, he was straightforward. I did have another one round - I told the one I was going to use that I was just for a second opinion - to be fair, though he was your typical stereotypical EA, he gave the same valuation as the one I used. He is a local small agent and is straightforward and honest and if I ever did sell (unlikely) I’d definitely use him again. 

I think you just get a feel for people.