Tough choice with estate agents

77588p

We have been on the market for 2 weeks now and have had little interest. 3 viewings (2 of which didn’t have their house on the market).

I know it’s a buyers market and tough out there but it feels so sluggish. When we got the estate agents round for valuations they all came in pretty much the same. Fees were similar so it was tough deciding who to go with. We made our decision as they were a smaller family run business. 

So far they don’t seem very engaged. The photos are not amazing even though we paid £180 for upgraded photos. Then we got a random ‘marketing invoice’ through for £160. This isn’t in any of the paperwork. Anyway I paid it as it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the transaction size.

Maybe I’m just venting that we have no viewings lined up and not sure exactly what the estate agents are doing about it. Nothing in our area seems to be moving. The only difference when looking on Rightmove is that our competition are ‘Featured Property’ or ‘Premium’ where as we just have a standard ad.

is it silly that I’m counting down another 10 weeks until we can move agents?

TheJP

Typically no interest in a house means its overpriced rather than under-marketed. 

cymruchris

It could be many things - you mention you paid for upgraded photos - do they show off the property to the best of their abilitiy? If you want to post a couple of the photos we can see how 'good' or 'bad' they are to see if that's one of the reasons it may be putting people off.

propertyrental

What did the agent say when you expressed your dissatifaction with the upgraded photos?

Paying an additional fee for 'marketing' which was not previously agreed is just.... bonkers.

How long is your tie-in to the agent? What notice period is required?

But as TheJP says, price is usually the defining factor - how does it compare to others locally?

Mr.Generous

Come on, post a link. You know you want to.

Hoenir

If there aren't ready buyers in the local market. There's little you cando but wait. As Easter approaches activity levels will progressively improve. 

Cloth_of_Gold

Two weeks is nothing; I think you need t give your EA a bit more time. Ultimately though, if the buyers are not there what can they do? As you admit, nothing seems to be selling in your area. Anything will sell at the right price of course but whether you would be prepared to drop your asking price to a level that would guarantee a sale, only you know. You should not have paid the invoice if you didn't think it was owed. I would go back and ask them for clarification.

BobT36

TheJP said:

Typically no interest in a house means its overpriced rather than under-marketed. 

This, or it's lacking basic stuff like a floor plan and measurements, and good photos. 

RHemmings

Mr.Generous said:

Come on, post a link. You know you want to.

If people post a link, then they should be aware that they are exposing their home address to random people on the internet. Even if just posting area and price, including past prices, people can often find the properties. The same applies to photos from the listing. 

I'm not saying to not post a link. But, newbies here can be unaware of how easy it is to find listings. I was a bit surprised to see people find a listing for a house (not mine) when I just posted a floorplan and some cropped other photos. So, people should be aware. 

EssexHebridean

Please be aware that if you DO decide to post a link - or even photos - then effectively you are putting your home address on the internet for public consumption. Not a good plan. what you COULD do is to post a general link to the estate agents site - people might be able to get a feeling from that whether they are a decent outfit or not so much? 

Three viewings in 2 weeks isn't so bad going in the current climate I would suggest. We're not in the same place we were a few years ago where houses were almost selling before they'd even had anyone through the door - now things are a bit harder work - and that could be one issue with your agents. If they set up during the boom times, then so far as they are concerned estate agency might be as simple as putting properties on RM, arranging and hosting viewings, and waiting for the commission to roll in. A more long established firm will with luck still remember how to actually market properties. 

As for the photos - if you're not happy, then go back to the agents and point out the things you aren't happy with, and say you would like them done again please, especially in ight of the fact that you paid for an enhanced package. be very clear. On the random £160 fee, of it's not in the contract, then you should have simply simply told them that it's not going to be paid.  what happens if they now issue another one, and another one - will you pay those too? (Personally as and when the property does sell, I'd be taking that £160 off the comms payable on the basis that it has already been paid).