Estate Agent or Do viewings yourself?

lush_walrus

Meanmachine, I personally will NOT answer any further comments from yourself, you seem to ignore any points that are raised including my questions put to you in earlier posts, which I am not minded to repeat. I would actually recommend that you do read back over the thread and see what has actually been said, by the apparent 'agents' and non agents. Interestingly, you have even failed to notice that only ONE person present on this thread actually WORKS as an agent and yet three have defended only the money they charge in relation to the work they carry out. The three being myself who is an Architect who is a co owner of a small chain, and Fairdo who is a MORTGAGE ADVISOR, ie NOT and estate agent.

Whether you want your view to be discounted or not is irrelivant, I am predicting that it actually will through the thoughtlessness of your comments and lack of any form of advice.

If you personally don't feel the desire to use any agent, then don't but still my point stands that to attack another member on here is thoughtless, intentionally provocative and in my opinion reflects your own lack of communicative skills and poor education!

margaret_3

lush_walrus wrote:

I don't feel that any of us should hold any embarrassment over the field we work in and the services we provide.

We live in times where there is freedom of choice, and ultimately anyone who does not value the work of EAs and associated fields have the opportunity to go it alone. Sellers packs or no sellers packs, estate agents provide access to the wider community, hold the ability to negotiate, accurately value property (and not as a general rough guide but a guide as to what people at that time WILL pay for that property rather than an average of a street) and communicate across the chain.

You are SO right!
When we come to sell our house in a few months time, I'll not be asking the E.A.s how many A levels they have. I am quite able to make up my own mind who will impress me with their knowledge of the local market.
I'm very happy to pay an E.A. to do the work for me and I would be surprised if they didn't do their best, for after all, they have a living to make,the same as the rest of us.
Margaret

meanmachine_2

lush_walrus wrote:

If you personally don't feel the desire to use any agent, then don't but still my point stands that to attack another member on here is thoughtless, intentionally provocative and in my opinion reflects your own lack of communicative skills and poor education!

I haven't attacked anyone on here personally, as far as I can recall.

You, sir, are the only one to have done so.

My point was that, in my experience, which is as valid as yours, I have found the majority of agents to be underhand and obnoxious.

I was not making those comments about anyone in particular and would not do so. My educational standards are my own affair and provided they allow me to articulate my opinions I don't see how you or anyone on here should have reason to question them.

The point of this thread was to discuss the services that agents provide. As a potential buyer naturally I am highly suspicious of their actions. That is logical, as they act in the interests of the seller. But as others have pointed out, most are not qualified and the service they provide, when compared to, say, a solicitor, offers very poor value for money.

That is my personal experience. Others may have a different experience. To be honest, I'm not that interested in the opinion of an agent. I can predict what you're going to say. I am much more interested in comments from sellers and buyers who, sadly, have to deal with agents.

There must be a reason why, as a people, EAs are reviled the world over. Or do you not recognise that opinion either?

margaret_3

I'm sorry but I don't recognise the fact that EAs are reviled at all. That's quite a stupid statement to make. I for one appreciate the work they do, whether I'm a buyer or a seller.
I don't know any EAs personally so I don't have an agenda here. I'm only answering you as Lush Walrus has said he wouldn't and I completely disagree with your silly statement.

meanmachine_2

margaret wrote:

I'm sorry but I don't recognise the fact that EAs are reviled at all. That's quite a stupid statement to make. I for one appreciate the work they do, whether I'm a buyer or a seller.
I don't know any EAs personally so I don't have an agenda here. I'm only answering you as Lush Walrus has said he wouldn't and I completely disagree with your silly statement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3405295.stm

I apologise. Estate agents are only the THIRD most hated profession in the country. :rotfl:

bridiej

PLEASE can we keep this thread on topic and not resort to making personal or offensive remarks.

If you read a post that you feel is offensive please report it to Abuse Controllers rather than replying to the post.

Thanks

margaret_3

meanmachine wrote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3405295.stm

I apologise. Estate agents are only the THIRD most hated profession in the country.

I don't pay any attention to silly surveys. You see, they consist of folks who don't have a mind of their own. I'm so pleased that *I* don't have to pay attention to them to help me make up MY mind!!!!! You see, meanmachine, *I* am intelligent.
If you need any help in making up your mind about anything, do feel free to pm me and I'll tell you what to do!
It's been a pleasure!:j
If Rush Walrus is reading this, there is another thread where a poor soul needs advice quite desperately. I think it's called 'Can I sue a bank' etc.

ginger_nuts

when I sold my last house I let the agent do all the viewing except one . A young couple where to view the house the woman turned up but her boyfriend was delayed .She asked if they could view a few hours later and I agreed ,on her second view the woman told me the limit was £1000 over my asking price ,I told her she should go to her limit before someone else did ...Result they paid £1000 extra .
I recently tried to buy a house .Before I viewed it the agent had told the seller not to sell to me as the agent didnt no me and he knew the other buyer .The agent told me this ...My brother is selling his house through the same agent .I happened to be in the estate agents when someone asked about my brothers house ( the agent didnt know it was my brothers house ) .The agent gave the guy a details of my brothers house but didnt tell him there was already offers on the house which I thought he should have .

EdInvestor

Speaking as a buyer of 2 properties in recent years, the most important thing is not who shows you around, but access. You'd be amazed at how many sellers refuse to give agents the keys and then will only allow viewings on alternate Thursdays between 4pm and 5pm or some such. If the flat can't be viewed it certainly can't be sold.So just pick the arrangement which will enable the easiest access for buyers at the shortest notice. Your own convenience is secondary.

Also, go to any estate agent, and they will have staff most of which spend the majority of their day on the phone chasing chains and solicitors, calling people who have just viewed properties to get feed back and calling people on their mailing list to tell them about new properties that have just come up for sale.

IMHO making sure the sale actually completes, and matching up properties, buyers and sellers is by far the most important role of the agent and involves real professional skills.An agent who can put together a deal and then stop it from falling apart is worth every penny of the fee. Many people completely underestimate how difficult it is to do this.

nelly_2

I wish all I had to do was walk round a house and " chase up chains on the phone" for 2 grand!