Selling a flat what would you do? help please LONG RANT ALERT

[KangaMummy]

DH AUNT died jan 2004 leaving flat east sussex, overlooking sea. Estate is between RNLI and CANCER, solicitors are exectutors, DH only relative left.

Solicitors got 3 values £75,000 to £82,950. They chose estate agent to sell for £75,000.

EA website is awful BUT he says no one looks at them anyway, and that he has never sold house/flat because someone saw on website!!! Given how bad theirs is not surprized.

Did you see your property on website then go to see it?

He says we need to put it down to £69,950 otherwise we will not sell, but as it going to charity we do not want to do this. We feel it is wrong. It is obviously chain free and we are not in hurry.

He says the market is falling!!! IS IT???

He says he has had numerous people in to look which we do not believe anyway BUT why did they not make an offer if they liked it but it was too much?

If we agree to put it down will it get knocked down anyway?

BTW we have never bought or sold a house before as we live in the house DH grew up in.

The EA was really rude to DH yesterday and was trying to bully DH to agree with him.

What would you do? Ask solicitors to change to another agent?

Drop the price?

Ask if they are showing someone round that they can make offer?

Would you look round a flat that was above your price range and then try to get it cheaper?

How important would night storage heaters be to you? Would you want to rip them out for CH? I thas UPVC windows. The bathroom and kitchen could be updated but are OK to live with.

The EA had not got anyone to clean it before taking people round so DH got the key and cleaned it. We live over 100 miles away.

Although it has great views of sea and coast EA refuses to put the photos on website or in literature. WHY?

Sorry have just realized this is sooooooo long

I'm thinking that the valuation is too low. Agents like this would have to price property too low to get anyone to deal with them for a sale.

the solicitor does not work until wednesday

she only works wed, thurs and fri. On wed DH can ring her and say that we would like them to change over

EA says that they are the best in town well he would say that wouldn't he!!!!

But I guess what you mean is that if they offered low prices then they would get more sales

How much feedback would you expect after a viewing?

I feel so nieve

I am so pleased that you have all helped so much I told DH that the mumsnetters would be able to help as there would be so many of you that had bought and sold flats before.

thank you

I would be tempted to go multi-agency on this one as well as changing agent. OK you have to pay a higher % on the sale of the property, but there is an incentive for all agents instructed to move their *rses and market the property (competition helps concentrate their minds). If the initial period of the sole agency agreement has expired (and I would be asking the solicitors to explain their reasons for entering into one with an agent who gave the lowest valuation), then you can change without any hassle.

I know I am being dim but does a multi agency mean that it is up with say 3 or 4 agents and then they all try to sell at same time.?

What is the differnce in % ? How much would that loose off £75,000 for example?

Does the price get increased to cover that?

So does the one who sells get 2% or 3% of the selling price?

What is average commission? 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% or 5%?

I have no idea

The amount of commission charged is very often a reflection of the state of the housing market. If properties are not selling well, you may be able to get a lower commission rate. As a rule of thumb, sole agents may offer 1 - 1.25%, whereas in a multi-agency set up you may be asked to pay 2% or above. You can by all means negotiate with the agents.

In a multi-agency, you appoint 2 or more agents who all market the property at the same time. You only pay the agent who introduces the person who purchases the property. On a £75,000 property, you'd be looking at paying, say, £750 (+VAT) to a sole agent, or £1500 (+ VAT) to a multi-agent. However, if the other agents all market the property at £80,000 and it eventually sells for £78,000, you're quids in anyway.

I certainly wouldn't leave a property with an agent who is rude to me. It shows a general lack of respect and professionalism which is probably reflected in their work.

thanks freckle I think a multi agency is the way to go

Thanks everyone mumsnetters are the brill

I agree with changing agents -- being rude to you is not a good sign! Think how they might act with the buyers.

Regarding the legacies, you might contact Cancer Research here and Royal Navy Lifeboat Institute at 0800 543210 and explain the situation. They might be able to push things along and help you out, if it gets to be really stressful for your husband.

Yay for his aunt, btw. And for you guys for handling it for her.