Changing Estate Agents... Does it make a difference?

[Salsie]

We have been trying to sell our flat through Haart for about 2-3 months now, but without any luck! We are happy with the service we have recieved from them and have had a steady number of viewings. We have also reduced the price recently and before we put it up for sale the other estate agents we had valuing it all put it around the figure we are asking for (in fact it's slightly less now).

My question is has anyone found changing estate agent has made any difference when selling their property or does it now all come down to Rightmove etc and not make a massive difference?

I know people will say reduce the price etc etc and we have, but I have been told we are correctly priced and also if we reduce any more we can't afford to move, so as much as I know if we reduce by 20k we would probably sell it tomorrow that's not an option!

Thanks!

[benevetts]

If they are getting them through the door then they are probably doing their job and, as a recent buyer, Haart were one of the agents I was most impressed by. Not sure if this is relevant to you but one thing that can help, especially with flats, is doing a declutter and moving some stuff into storage for a while to help emphasise the sense of space.

[benmorg]

August and july are quiet months even when the Olympics isn't on. Things usually pick up in sept, so you need to be patient.

[henryb]

We've used Haart to sell in the past and were very happy, they marketed well and put on the right price to sell in the time we wanted.

You could always get another agent to revalue. But if you are getting steady viewing then the price could be reasonable for the specification.

Ultimately the correct price on any day is what someone is prepared to pay. The only options may be to be patient or drop the price.

Could the presentation be improved? ? Clearing out clutter, putting old furniture in storage, lick of paint here and there ? can make a big difference.

[Salsie]

Thanks for your replies and I am in agreement with the service from Haart. We are more than happy with them, just wondered if moving helps attract more viewings...

We have decluttered as much as we can but space is the main reason we are looking to move! I am preganant and panicking as we need to move before my maternity leave begins, but I guess I just have to be patient and as you say Henryb it will be dependant on the day what someone wants to pay!

[Jeremy]

No doubt about it, some agents are better at getting viewings than others. However, if your current agent is getting a decent amount of viewings in (a few a week?) then there's probably no point changing.

[Gidget]

Did you ask for feedback on your property? I have bought and sold 9 properties so far, different types, inc. first floor flat with balcony/ maisonette with own front door and nice garden/ house with patio and no garden/victorian house in good area/victorian flat with communal entrance, share of freehold, and garden, so have had quite a bit of experience.

I agree with benmorg. This time of year is quiet.

[womanofdulwich]

you could always offer a personal cash bonus to whichever negotiator completed a sale on it within Hart.

[dulwichgirl2]

You are joking of course, Womanofdwich?

[womanofdulwich]

no I'm not.

[dulwichgirl2]

In that case you are inciting a criminal offence. I think you are joking about not joking.

[Mick Mac]

I think changing estate agents will put you in touch with the buyers registered with the new agent but it might be a short term improvement in interest. However I do feel agents naturally focus on their new instructions ahead of properties that have been on for a while. But you should check you contract as Haart will have spent money on trying to sell your property and you will prob have a minimum period of exclusivity with them or a notice period.

[Gidget]

dulwichgirl2 Wrote:

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> In that case you are inciting a criminal offence.

> I think you are joking about not joking.

How is that a criminal? It's certainly not ethical but it does on a lot.

[Mick Mac]

It's probably a stackable offence if the estate agent does not declare the payment and pass it to his employer.

[dulwichgirl2]

Absolutely - a gross breach of contract.

And a breach of estate agents act.

Wod - You do see that this is an appalling thing to suggest, don't you?

[EPB]

I see what you mean about decluttering, Salsie, but have you thought of putting a load of stuff in store?

[Loz]

dulwichgirl2 Wrote:

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> Absolutely - a gross breach of contract.

> And a breach of estate agents act.

>

> Wod - You do see that this is an appalling thing

> to suggest, don't you?

I'm not sure I see the problem with this - how is it different to a tip, etc?

[dulwichgirl2]

Does the buyer know about it, Loz?

Would he or she still buy with the knowledge that Tim the agent is getting a kickback for selling this particular property? Perhaps but the point is that he or she doesn't have the chance to make that decision.

Quite apart from it being enshrined in statute.

I am more shocked, though, that anyone wld query the obvious fact that it just stinks, WOD.

[womanofdulwich]

if you were an estate agent and you had 2 flats to sell at the same commission rate and one vendor said they would pay you a ?250 cash bonus for selling their flat wouldn't you try that little but harder?

or you could say to them you will pay extra to have your property in the local papers / website as the property of the week.

its just business. Its how people work.

[Loz]

dulwichgirl2 Wrote:

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> Does the buyer know about it, Loz?

> Would he or she still buy with the knowledge that

> Tim the agent is getting a kickback for selling

> this particular property? Perhaps but the point is

> that he or she doesn't have the chance to make

> that decision.

But the agency is already getting a 'kickback' - about 1.5% to 2% of the selling price. The particular agent who makes the sale is almost certainly on commission. Chucking another ?250 into the pot is hardly changing the selling model, is it?

No buyer should ever think an agent is on their side. Though, for that matter, no seller should either.

PS What statute prevents this happening? What law does it transgress?

[dulwichgirl2]

Wod, I am afraid that your apparent inability to differentiate between an additional non transparent 250 cash and a payment for better advertising I find quite concerning. It is rare I encounter someone with zero moral compass so I have to assume you are winding me up.

[Loz]

Not winding you up at at all. E.g. I have no idea how much the last owner of my house paid in fees to their agent. I believe that, under law, I am not entitled to that information. I really cannot see the difference between a non-transparent agency fee and a non-transparent agent fee. Both are... um... non-transparent.

And you keep saying it's against some statute - which statute is this??

[SCSB79]

Try KFH. We sold through them in 5 days.