Selling without EA

3Ano1010 · 2022-03-26T14:28:54+00:00

can I have experiences please both negative and positive if you sold without an agent. Our house is on market with EA but someone knocked on our door and is eager to buy without going through EA. They said it will benefit both of us. DH is saying no. I’m just wondering if other people have experienced it.

BloodyloveGeorge · 26/03/2022 14:46

Estate Agents in the U.K. do so little IMHO, I would sell our house in a private sale. Have done before, and have friends who’ve done it ( we live in a high demandish area).
It’s honestly not very complicated. Quicker in fact.

Raera · 26/03/2022 14:49

I've done it twice, no problem. First one was when someone knocked on the door like you. Second time, because it had gone well, just listed it privately and sold, no fees to pay.

materialrealitygirl · 26/03/2022 14:49

Yes, you can sell without an estate agent.

But, you must use a decent solicitor/conveyancer.

BanjoKnockers · 26/03/2022 14:51

You'll need to terminate your contract with the estate agent first, and you'll need to check its terms to see see how long you have to wait before you are allowed to terminate.

While the contract is running you have to pay the estate agent commission if you sell even if the buyer was not introduced via the agent.

Raera · 26/03/2022 14:52

Difference with me though is that it wasn't up for sale when guy knocked. He'd been to see next door which was up for sale but preferred our garden so just took a chance. Your EA might try and get their fees as they've been advertising it.

Clarinet1 · 26/03/2022 14:53

If you have signed a contract with the EA perhaps you should check the small print to see whether you are still liable for some kind of charges from the EA. I’m not any kind of expert but just think it is possible!

Clarinet1 · 26/03/2022 14:54

Ah - cross post with @Banjoknockers!

Merryoldgoat · 26/03/2022 14:55

@BanjoKnockers

You'll need to terminate your contract with the estate agent first, and you'll need to check its terms to see see how long you have to wait before you are allowed to terminate.

While the contract is running you have to pay the estate agent commission if you sell even if the buyer was not introduced via the agent.

This.

ChicCroissant · 26/03/2022 14:55

I'm assuming your potential buyer knew your house was up for sale via the EA then, OP?

I prefer to have a third party like an EA involved at what can be a pretty stressful time. How will it benefit your buyer not to involve an EA, when the fees are paid for by the vendor (you). Are they hoping for a discount?

BloodyloveGeorge · 26/03/2022 15:02

‘ You'll need to terminate your contract with the estate agent first, and you'll need to check its terms to see see how long you have to wait before you are allowed to terminate.

While the contract is running you have to pay the estate agent commission if you sell even if the buyer was not introduced via the agent.’

Ignore this advice, it’s not enforceable and nomEA would be bothered trying to enforce it. If they did you can just go back with the long list of things they haven’t done for you, which there will be many of…

BloodyloveGeorge · 26/03/2022 15:03

Take it off with the EA now and go ahead with a private sale ( using solicitors) if you think the buyer is serious.

BanjoKnockers · 26/03/2022 15:30

@BloodyloveGeorge

‘ You'll need to terminate your contract with the estate agent first, and you'll need to check its terms to see see how long you have to wait before you are allowed to terminate.

While the contract is running you have to pay the estate agent commission if you sell even if the buyer was not introduced via the agent.’

Ignore this advice, it’s not enforceable and nomEA would be bothered trying to enforce it. If they did you can just go back with the long list of things they haven’t done for you, which there will be many of…

Ahhh, I see @BloodyloveGeorge, many apologies @3Ano1010, I was didn't know this.

LondonLife3 · 26/03/2022 15:32

My house was with an estate agent but I couldn’t get a viewing, drove up the street one lunch time to get a look at the house. I ended up buying directly from the owners much easier! Plus they saved a lot of money

axolotlfloof · 26/03/2022 15:48

Has the person who knocked on your door, also visited the estate agent?
I would definitely end the contract with the EA before you go any further.

muckandnettles · 26/03/2022 16:18

I would also question why a potential buyer wants to avoid the estate agents as it's surely no difference to them at all? I would assume they don't want to be asked all the questions about their finances and the sale of their own house that an EA would ask. I'd be very wary of this.

SheWoreYellow · 26/03/2022 16:20

It will only benefit your buyer if you split the saving with them.

You can totally manage without though.

materialrealitygirl · 26/03/2022 17:56

@muckandnettles

I would also question why a potential buyer wants to avoid the estate agents as it's surely no difference to them at all? I would assume they don't want to be asked all the questions about their finances and the sale of their own house that an EA would ask. I'd be very wary of this.

It's the conveyencers / solicitors who do this, surely?

I mean, the estate agent can ask the seller about their position, but they don't have to give them any proof at all. It's the solicitors that do all that.

muckandnettles · 26/03/2022 18:05

I agree the EA can't ask for proof, but they do ask about whether you are proceedable and whether you have a mortgage in principle before you can even view a property. That's more than some people want to be asked about. In this case I would be concerned that they are knocking on the door because an EA wouldn't let them view. There are a lot of timewasters out there in my experience.

Original poster

3Ano1010 · 29/03/2022 19:29

The person came back with their offer and has offered us over 35k less than asking price. DH messaged him and told him we already have an offer for the asking price, do you agree we definitely don’t go with him?

OP posts:

AwkwardPaws27 · 29/03/2022 19:51

@3Ano1010

The person came back with their offer and has offered us over 35k less than asking price. DH messaged him and told him we already have an offer for the asking price, do you agree we definitely don’t go with him?

Are your EA fees more than £35k? Are you able to check the buyer is actually proceedable? Do you have time to be chasing up and down a chain to make sure the sale actually goes through (our EA was brilliant with this and took a lot of the stress out of it by finding out what was actually going on when our vendors EA was lying through their teeth... they also were a good intermediary when our buyer went AWOL on exchange day, holding up the whole chain, whereas if I'd have been speaking to the buyer directly at that point I'd have been, ahem, less than professional)?