Point of commitment to estate agent (EweMove)

Sapindus

My elderly mother is looking to sell her house, she is a two hour drive from me so I can't supervise very easily.  But on local recommendation she had EweMove round yesterday for a quick look and they are coming back on Tuesday with a photographer.  I'm worried she has committed to them!  In my head they are one step up from PurpleBricks.  Am I worrying too much?

ChirpyChicken

I wouldn't touch them !
Tell her to cancel with photographer and go with someone local

FlorayG

No you're not. If you are not around you want a local EA not least because your mother can give permission for them to keep you informed of everything that happens with regard to offers and viewings. Those big online agents are really difficult to do that with because you never speak to the same person twice

Bigphil1474

You'll have to check if she has signed up to anything as if she has you may be bound by their Ts&Cs. If they haven't actually done anything yet, there should be no costs to your mum. As above, definitely get a local bricks and mortar EA. Ours was pretty good, and we had a named contact who we could ring anytime - would be handy for you.

eddddy

Sapindus said:

I'm worried she has committed to them!  

If they're arranging a second visit with a photographer, it sounds like they believe that mother has entered into a contract with them.

But, assuming it all happened in her home, she has a 14 day cooling off period to cancel. 

If she cancels during that period, they might ask her to cover their costs - but hopefully they haven't incurred any costs yet.


FWIW, a number of estate agents seem to do this...

• The estate agent does their sales patter and hands over a copy of their terms and conditions, and a little while afterwards asks something like: "Would you like us to go ahead and market your property?"

• If the property owner replies "Yes" - the law would say they've entered into a contract.

People sometimes think that, because they haven't signed anything, they are not committed - but that's not the case.


(TBH, the Property Ombudsman imposes stricter rules on estate agents than the law does. So if the estate agent asks for costs, depending on what exactly happened, you could try complaining to the Ombudsman.)

Murphybear

Once a suitable EA is found could she live with you while it is sold?

We moved to Devon from Northants and sold our property easily at a distance.  

Zoe02

If unsure she should not sign any contract.

Do not let them take pictures, cancel the appointment if not interested. 

Sapindus

Murphybear said:

Once a suitable EA is found could she live with you while it is sold?
  

Not an option on all sorts of levels...

Have persuaded her to get a third opinion on price - first and second agents were quite wide of each other's marks, EweMove a lot lower.  Personally when I sold last year I went with the lowest of three. Have also said to put the photographs visit off until we've seen what no.3 says.

I'm hoping that if the local EweMove person has been recommended by her friends, they're not too bad.  Trouble is she is anxious about her health deteriorating and now she's actually decided to move is being rather determined about it.

shinytop

Sapindus said:

Murphybear said:

Once a suitable EA is found could she live with you while it is sold?
  

Not an option on all sorts of levels...

Have persuaded her to get a third opinion on price - first and second agents were quite wide of each other's marks, EweMove a lot lower.  Personally when I sold last year I went with the lowest of three. Have also said to put the photographs visit off until we've seen what no.3 says.

I'm hoping that if the local EweMove person has been recommended by her friends, they're not too bad.  Trouble is she is anxious about her health deteriorating and now she's actually decided to move is being rather determined about it.

We are about to exchange contracts on our sale using used Ewemove and they have been great. They were the highest valuation and the offer we accepted was higher than the other "bricks and mortar" agents' valuations.  The Ewemove person lives locally and really knows the area and market.  They were the most expensive but I chose them because they were miles better than the others. No connection, just a satisfied customer.  

eddddy

shinytop said:

We are about to exchange contracts on our sale using used Ewemove and they have been great. They were the highest valuation and the offer we accepted was higher than the other "bricks and mortar" agents' valuations.  The Ewemove person lives locally and really knows the area and market.  They were the most expensive but I chose them because they were miles better than the others. No connection, just a satisfied customer.  

FWIW, Ewemove have a franchise model. So each branch is likely to be a completely different business with a different owner.

So one branch might have a good owner, who is diligent, professional and effective at selling,  but another branch might have a another owner, who is less competent.

Sapindus

eddddy said:
FWIW, Ewemove have a franchise model. So each branch is likely to be a completely different business with a different owner.

So one branch might have a good owner, who is diligent, professional and effective at selling,  but another branch might have a another owner, who is less competent.

That's what I was hoping, that local recommendation would be a good guide.  Anyway she has postponed or cancelled the Tuesday visit and another firm is coming on Monday.

It's a big solid 1970's four bed detached with two bathrooms and a downstairs toilet, double garage, solar panels and solar hot water, a £100k difference (downwards) in the suggested marketing price even a couple of months apart doesn't make sense and I really want a third opinion.

Thanks.