Changing Estate Agent

Frustratedseller52

I am looking at changing my estate agent but of course want to avoid paying double fees. My current contract has the usual clause that says I am liable to pay if they have introduced the buyer.
The agent tells me they have supplied my house details to everybody on their mailing list. No doubt thousands of people ! Yet I have had less than 20 viewings.
I need to know if I am liable to pay fees if the buyer turns out to be on their mailing list, even if they never viewed my property ?

Hoenir

Not going to be thousands of people. Of those on the mailing list majority have most likely decided upon another property by now. 

Bigphil1474

If a buyer turns up and was informed about the property by EA number 1, then they could argue they have introduced them, even if it's weeks later. If the buyer goes through EA2, then EA1 can't claim that. 

How long have you been on the market? 20 viewings is a good number for the first month or maybe into month two, not so good for a whole year. 

ReadySteadyPop

Bigphil1474 said:

If a buyer turns up and was informed about the property by EA number 1, then they could argue they have introduced them, even if it's weeks later. If the buyer goes through EA2, then EA1 can't claim that. 

How long have you been on the market? 20 viewings is a good number for the first month or maybe into month two, not so good for a whole year. 

Plenty of houses will struggle to get 20 views in a year now I think. If a property isn`t selling the smartest move is dropping the price, that is the most direct and stress free route to a sale.

ReadySteadyPop

Hoenir said:

Not going to be thousands of people. Of those on the mailing list majority have most likely decided upon another property by now. 

Or decided to stay put in their present house until the market sorts itself out.

gwynlas

Why did you choose this agent and what makes you dissatisfied?

Eas can only show viewers your property it is up to them if they visit a second time and make an offer.

How long as property been on the market, is description good, photos professional lookng, price cmparable with similar houses for sale?

eddddy

Frustratedseller52 said:

I am looking at changing my estate agent but of course want to avoid paying double fees. My current contract has the usual clause that says I am liable to pay if they have introduced the buyer.
The agent tells me they have supplied my house details to everybody on their mailing list. No doubt thousands of people ! Yet I have had less than 20 viewings.
I need to know if I am liable to pay fees if the buyer turns out to be on their mailing list, even if they never viewed my property ?

To avoid the risk of double fees, you should do the following:

• 1) When you end the contract with the current Estate Agent, tell them you require a list of all the buyers they have introduced - and say that you will only pay them commission, if a buyer on that list ends up buying. You will not pay them commission in respect of any buyer not included in the list.

• 2) Before signing with the new estate agent, give them the list and tell them that you will not pay them commission if anybody on the list goes on to buy. If anyone on the list approaches them, they must refer them back to the first estate agent.

Best to confirm these in an email/writing. If the new estate agent won't agree to point 2, tell them it's a 'stopper' and you won't instruct them.

If the estate agents are members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme (most are) the above 2 things are mandatory, so they should do them automatically.

mta999

agree with @eddddy

kittyb49

eddddy said:

Frustratedseller52 said:

I am looking at changing my estate agent but of course want to avoid paying double fees. My current contract has the usual clause that says I am liable to pay if they have introduced the buyer.
The agent tells me they have supplied my house details to everybody on their mailing list. No doubt thousands of people ! Yet I have had less than 20 viewings.
I need to know if I am liable to pay fees if the buyer turns out to be on their mailing list, even if they never viewed my property ?

To avoid the risk of double fees, you should do the following:

• 1) When you end the contract with the current Estate Agent, tell them you require a list of all the buyers they have introduced - and say that you will only pay them commission, if a buyer on that list ends up buying. You will not pay them commission in respect of any buyer not included in the list.

• 2) Before signing with the new estate agent, give them the list and tell them that you will not pay them commission if anybody on the list goes on to buy. If anyone on the list approaches them, they must refer them back to the first estate agent.

Best to confirm these in an email/writing. If the new estate agent won't agree to point 2, tell them it's a 'stopper' and you won't instruct them.

If the estate agents are members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme (most are) the above 2 things are mandatory, so they should do them automatically.

ohhh this is super helpful to know thank you 

Hoenir

ReadySteadyPop said:

Hoenir said:

Not going to be thousands of people. Of those on the mailing list majority have most likely decided upon another property by now. 

Or decided to stay put in their present house until the market sorts itself out.

Without FTB's there'd be no housing market at all. 

ReadySteadyPop

Hoenir said:

ReadySteadyPop said:

Hoenir said:

Not going to be thousands of people. Of those on the mailing list majority have most likely decided upon another property by now. 

Or decided to stay put in their present house until the market sorts itself out.

Without FTB's there'd be no housing market at all. 

There will always be FTB, they just spend a lot less than they used to.