Stick or Change Estate agent

20122013

I am looking to put my property back on the market after the holidays. 

I am wondering whether I need to change agent. I asked as I have been with my current agent for over six months and had a handful of viewers. I spoke with my agent about how they intend to sell my property. I was nothing needs to change apart from reduce the price ((further) and change from in excess of to Guide Price... 

My problem is that as I have used the few decent agents so I am not sure where to go next.  As I have meet up with a few independent ones and they were unprepared, (ie I have to brief them the listing history and competition..).. to me it is not a good sign.

How do others find their estate agents ?  as I have tried for sale board, Right move and word of mouth.. 

saajan_12

20122013 said:

I am looking to put my property back on the market after the holidays. 

I am wondering whether I need to change agent. I asked as I have been with my current agent for over six months and had a handful of viewers. I spoke with my agent about how they intend to sell my property. I was nothing needs to change apart from reduce the price ((further) and change from in excess of to Guide Price... 

.. 

What do they say when you ask why it should be different than their suggested price (assuming you went with their suggestion)? 

I say the above just to get some accountability and support but ultimately if you want to get your property sold, I would compare your property to others in the area and price it accordingly. The words around the price 'offers over', 'oieo', 'guide', etc make zero difference, people just look at a number and negotiate (higher or lower). 

20122013 said:

My problem is that as I have used the few decent agents so I am not sure where to go next.  As I have meet up with a few independent ones and they were unprepared, (ie I have to brief them the listing history and competition..).. to me it is not a good sign.

How do others find their estate agents ?  as I have tried for sale board, Right move and word of mouth.. 

You say few.. how many agents have you gone through for this purchase? Generally it makes little difference as they all put it on Rightmove and the buyer pool is the same. So unless you can point to an issue with this agent which you think may not happen with others, there's likely little point in changing. 

gwynlas

Were you happy with propert description and photographs ie was the description quite specific mentioning local amenities?
Is you sale price compatible with that achievd in the area?
How was feedback from viewings?
With mortgage rates improving you might do better to relist in the new year with same agent if you have followed all guidamce on declutering completing maintenance etc

20122013

saajan_12 said:

20122013 said:

I am looking to put my property back on the market after the holidays. 

I am wondering whether I need to change agent. I asked as I have been with my current agent for over six months and had a handful of viewers. I spoke with my agent about how they intend to sell my property. I was nothing needs to change apart from reduce the price ((further) and change from in excess of to Guide Price... 

.. 

What do they say when you ask why it should be different than their suggested price (assuming you went with their suggestion)? 

I say the above just to get some accountability and support but ultimately if you want to get your property sold, I would compare your property to others in the area and price it accordingly. The words around the price 'offers over', 'oieo', 'guide', etc make zero difference, people just look at a number and negotiate (higher or lower). 

20122013 reply:

My agent told me that nothing needs to change as the market will pick up after the holidays and did not mention about the asking price. I had to make the suggestion.

I have to really push the agent to say what I need to know (not what they think I want to hear). So

I told the agent that in order to sell I need to reduce the price but I want to sell it at the right price. They usually waste one hour waffling on about nonsense, which could be a factor of them never being on time, etc 

I know some agents just want to have (more) properties on their books rather than actually selling my property. As they have others properties who have a higher priority than mine  Also, on the initial valuation the manager said that they will be able to sell my property as it is in an excellent location as they know the area. more recently they have said the opposite. (yes, all very strange). 

This agent was never my first choice as they could be more organised and have better communications, (again I have to keep checking, including whether they have updated my details as the first month I was wondering why I have not heard from them..   and have to chase for feedback.  They do try and do what I have requested but only after a 4- 6weeks of me following up. It is  not great but it is what it is ( as  I am not comfortable selling it myself.) 

20122013 said:

My problem is that as I have used the few decent agents so I am not sure where to go next.  As I have meet up with a few independent ones and they were unprepared, (ie I have to brief them the listing history and competition..).. to me it is not a good sign.

How do others find their estate agents ?  as I have tried for sale board, Right move and word of mouth.. 

You say few.. how many agents have you gone through for this purchase? Generally it makes little difference as they all put it on Rightmove and the buyer pool is the same. So unless you can point to an issue with this agent which you think may not happen with others, there's likely little point in changing. 

20122013 reply:
I have had 3 agents prior to this one,  the first agent who managed to  get one offer had suggested not to accept as it was a cheeky offer, however, that offer is still higher that my current asking price.   

My understanding is how the property is listed not just the photo but the descriptions etc and also how the individual agent communicate with the viewers.   

My reply is in BOLD. 

20122013

gwynlas said:

Were you happy with propert description and photographs ie was the description quite specific mentioning local amenities?
Is you sale price compatible with that achievd in the area?
How was feedback from viewings?
With mortgage rates improving you might do better to relist in the new year with same agent if you have followed all guidamce on declutering completing maintenance etc

My property is a leasehold terrace so there is no clear distinction on Rightmove.

As the price is higher that a flat but lower than a terrace house (freehold) and not getting the viewings.  (I have tried listing under 'terrace' and masionette' 

I will have another look at the description (including the amenities)

The feedback from the viewers: so far (out of all 4 agents) one one viewer mentioned about the lease. the other said it was the size (or better value further out which are in areas for renters and not homeowners)

I did ask my current agent about the  4 viewers who had shown interest but also have some other properties to view, , but my agent said they did not need to follow up. If the viewers are really interested they will be in touch (??) I would have thought the agent should still follow up?

As mine is a terrace there are no direct comparison but I will have a look at flats and adjust the asking price accordingly. 

The property is unfurnished, and there is no maintenance required. I am thinking whether I should furnished the property..