Selling House is driving me mad!!!

[Nutjob]

We bought our current house 3 years ago, our old house sold within one day of going on the market, but there were so few properties around that we had to settle for a bigger house but in an area we weren't keen on. The priority then was simply more space as dd was on her way. We have now decided to move again, as we have managed to get ds into a great school, but I have to drive to get there and it's costing me a fortune. I also HATE being a SCRUMMY and would much rather be able to walk to school each day.

Anyway, the market is now completely different, loads of houses on the market but no-one seems to be buying!! We have had a couple of offers but both have fallen through, and I am getting fed up!!

I can't stand showing people around my house, especially when they tut-tut about things (bloody cheek!!) and because I am the one at home all day, I am dealing with all the phone-calls, viewings etc. I have rediscovered how truly crap most Estate Agents are and it's getting me down!!

I have told myself not to get stressed about it, as there is no immediate rush to move, but I just can't seem to help it. Anyone else going through the same thing? How do you keep calm?

I have been through this scenario quite a few times and have learnt that if you're paying an estate agent to sell your house then make sure that's what they do ie: get them to show your house even if they say it's inconvenient remember they are working for you not the other way around. Even though I don't like giving them keys it does take away alot of the stress of dealing with prospective buyers. If however, you are selling it yourself then I'd allocate specific times so you don't have to live in a constant show home. Aoart from that I'd stay patient as you'll get there eventually or if you're really desperate to get going then you may have to drop the price - not a nice thought I know.

Definitely agree with Jzee about ensuring the agent works for their commission - apart from a few photocopies, envelopes and stamps, what else do they do for their money? (Go on, tell me... ). We're thinking of moving in the next year, and I am seriously considering negotiating some kind of if-we-sell-to-people-we-have-shown-round-your-commission-will-be-halved kind of deal. Don't know if that's possible or practical, but I like to have my dreams!

Hang on, aren't the agents supposed to accompany viewers and do the SELLING. When I sold up the place was a tip and stank of baby formula and 99% of viewers were single or dinkies. I lounged around the sofa and apologised for existing and let the agents get on with it. Tell them that's what you want or just be out all the time!

That's what we've just done - I told our estate agents under no uncertain terms that they would be accompanying viewing as dh was working away from home and I was alone with a toddler. At the weekends we wanted to escape and do family stuff. So they did the viewings all the time.

I don't have any advice I'm afraid, Nutjob - we've just got a complete chain now after many many stressful weeks. Hoping that we can now get moved quickly without any further hitches so our family can get reunited again. Good luck with your move.

When we sold our last house I had given birth to ds2 by c section less than 1 week before, and had an autistic 2 year old. I told the agents I needed 24 hours notice that there would be a viewing on that day (but they could add others in on that same day at short notice) and that unless dh was home they were to be accompanied as I wasn't marching up and down the stairs with a fresh section! I also said that so close to the birth we only wanted people round who were in a position to make an offer. I have to say they were very good, pretty much kept to their side of the bargain and got us offer within a few weeks.

Now the previous move was a nightmare- but that wasn't the agents fault!

I'm in a similar position: was told that my flat would take 2-4 wks to sell (it's in an area with a thriving market) and here I am, one month on, with only one interested party who keeps making offers several thousand pounds below what I need, and many fruitless days of viewing behind me. Absolutely no sign of a sale in sight.

What can you do? This is my first time selling, my dad has had a lot of property pass through his hands and just said to hold on, the right buyer will turn up. I'm getting desperate to move as I'm expecting a baby in the summer and obviously I want to be settled beforehand. I too have had people coming over and making negative comments - my furniture looks cheap, there's not enough cupboard space, and - the horror - no shower. It's pretty ungracious and if you ask me is the kind of thing that should be kept for discussing in the car after they've left. I've had people lecture me on local house prices as if I just picked a random valuation out of the air. All very disheartening, especially since I did all the appropriate things such as redecorating in magnolia, shampooing the carpets, cleaning all the windows etc, and I clean the whole place twice a week for open viewing (no-one even came last time!), and while it's only a small place, I'm doing it on my own and it's pretty tiring what with being nearly 6 months pregnant and having a pretty dodgy back right now too.

Not much to say really except to join you in your moan and offer a bit of solidarity!

I can't believe how rude some people are judging from comments here! How dare they criticise your taste or the layout of your home! We are buying a house and have recently looked around loads of houses (some frankly horrid!) but I would never dream of being anything but polite about them. Now, what I might say to my dh in the car is a different matter

Oxocube, I know what you mean, dh and I have had a good laugh about some of the houses we have seen, but only when we are safely back in our car, I would never dream of making a comment about someone's taste to them - what's it got to do with me?!!

What has shocked me as well, is how greedy a lot of people are. One of the first questions is always 'What are you leaving?', fair enough I suppose, but I have been asked if I was leaving my cooker, my (brand new) washing machine, even my Welsh dresser!!

By the way, thanks for your comments about getting the Estate Agents to accompany potential buyers on viewings. It had never occurred to me to ask, but must admit, I have felt rather nervous when a bloke comes round to view the house and I am on my own with my dd. I mean you wouldn't normally invite complete strangers into your house would you?

I'll back Jzee up on that point - my dh is an estate agent and they ALWAYS do accommpanied viewings. It's their job, part of the service that you're paying them for. As my mum is always so fond of saying - why have a dog and do the barking yourself? Don't worry about giving them the keys - just make sure they always tell you when they have viewings booked and when they will be showing buyers round - common courtesy really. soothepoo, estate agents actually do loads - they will sort out your chain, negociate between buyers and vendors, stop sales falling through (and you wouldn't believe what stupid reasons they fall through over!), chase up solicitors, building societies, surveyors, actively market your property ( not just sticking the details in the window ) - need I go on?

clucks - hang on a minute - yes, their job is to sell your house, but you have to accept some responsibility for the sale and make sure it's in a reasonable state when people come to view. If I had the choice between 2 houses and one was a tip, I'd go for the one that wasn't - common sense. You don't have to buy into the whole 'House Doctor' thing, but would you buy a piece of clothing that was dirty? Why is your home any different? My dh once had a house on the market that wouldn't sell because it was just so filthy - after-birth left to dry on the lounge carpet from the owner's dog. And the owner just couldn't understand why the house wasn't selling - blmed dh's firm and changed estate agents!! I'm not for a minute suggesting that your house was like this (afterall we alll have our own idea of what a tip is), but can you see my point?

Lara2 - I really hope your husband works in the Bedford area !
I know the theory of what estate agents do, it's just the practice as I have experienced it is soooooo different. And I don't think my experiences are unique, either!

I've heard from friends that the agents locally vary quite considerably. One friend's favourite was the one with whom your house never really reached the open market - they had a very good idea of who was looking for what and when you invite them round to value, they almost immediately know someone who will be interested. When their board goes up, it's usually with 'Sale Agreed' on it.

Another however, prices everything very low. They seem to have a high turnover but one friend's house was valued at 10% less than every other agent she had round. Needless to say she didn't put her house on with them because it made only a small difference to their commission but a huge difference to what she could afford.

And one of the bigger chains has come in for huge criticism locally with failing to put ads in the local property press when promised, not telling prospective purchasers about the house (all my friends seem to be devious and do things like ring the agent to ask for details of properties in the area which match the description of their house). This is obviously plain shoddy and seems to indicate that all the staff aren't aware of what is on the books.

after birth on the carpet?????? good god and I thought I was a slob!

Would agree about letting the agent do the veiwings.
When we were selling our last house, our twins were under 6 months, I'd really stress myself out, trying to keep the place tidy and cope with them. In the end we gave the agents the keys and I went out when there were veiwings.
The house sold quite quickly after that. I think people feel, they can have a better look if your not there. I know I found it alot less stressful.