Why are we spending money on estate agents?

[ihateyousarahm]

Surely you don't need to spend £5k.on and estate agent?

They do more than you think.

It's hard to sell a house on your own.

They filter out the time wasters and difficult queries.

If you’re willing to do the work yourself you can save that cost. Either pay it like everyone else or don’t whine about the cost.

Mine were excellent! Empty property so they did regular checks on it even after an offer was accepted. They recommended a reliable gardener to tidy the large garden before photos and also an amazing cleaning company who came in once the house clearance was finished. The online listing was great, clear and accurate photographs.They had 20 viewings booked for the first 2 weeks (only 11 went ahead all in the first 5 days as we accepted an offer from the 5th people to see it), advised us to reject the really low offers, cancelled the viewings after we accepted a good offer and recommended an excellent conveyancing solicitor (don't live in the area). Kept in touch throughout the whole process and gave advice when needed. From hitting the market to completion was 10 weeks. Worth every penny.

Couldn't agree more. The fact they charge more than a qualified solicitor, is so wrong. There's a margin they've created & that's it, theres the fee. Why on earth is it percentage based? It should be a standard fee. They do various things to sell a property but not to the sound of 5k upwards.

I bought my first house without an estate agent, my ex fil knew who was wanting to sell the house, I viewed it & negotiated a price then handed it all on to the solicitor & got my mortgage sorted. Viewed on 31 August & got keys 12 October.

Use purple bricks of we buy any house instead

My estate agent was worth it. I work full-time but that didn't matter. My key was in her hands and so were the viewings and paperwork.

Mine helped to ensure a higher sale price.and was therefore worth the money.

Our house went to best and final offers and they had a list of potential buyers for houses in our street. Absolutely worth it.

Mine was absolutely shit and it offends me that I need to actually pay them.

The estate agent for the property I bought was absolutely excellent and I would use or recommend them to anyone in the future.

They are worth it. They get it on the online portals, print details, take pics, arrange and do viewings, negotiate, chase up the solicitors. Sure there are bad ones, just like any business. But good ones earn their fee (and I’ve bought/sold properties from £90k to over £2m).

How much did that cost you?

You tried to sell it yourself?

Mine was great. Had a list of people who wanted to buy an investment property.

DPs is rubbish. No viewings, doesn’t answer calls. But he has a package that they get paid regardless after 10 months. Mine if no sale after 4 months I could step away

Mine were great! Took so much stress out of the process and I suspect made us a great deal more money than they cost us.

Based on what?

Purple bricks will lead to online portal

We are nearly over a year in from putting house on the market. 3 sales… so close to exchange now on the third and the agents have been great. Booking only proceedable buyers after our first fell through and then second. Then keeping the chain up to date with what’s turned out to be a complicated sale. The sales progresser has contact with all agents and solicitors which helps to keep things ticking along. We wouldn’t be this far along without that.

You don't have to employ one if you don't want to. They're not holding a gun to your head. If you think you can do a better job you're free to get on with it.

Mine didn’t even show people round , although the previous ones did.

We sold in Scotland which is generally Offers Over and potentially going to sealed bids, they were really spot on with the timings and advice and we got way more for the house than I'd thought we would.

I don’t think people actually consider the cost though of the individual tasks the estate agent is performing. Are they really worth that cost?

When we last moved the EA selling our property did a lot to help the chain complete, much more than the EA we were buying through (who got more commission!)
So I think a good EA is worth it. The one who helped us will get all our future business.

But you didn't try yourself?