Which Agent?

[SnailWhaleTail]

Have had 2 agents here today as I'm trying to organise myself to do all my itty bitty jobs and put myself on the market.

They were both pleasant and punctual and both from chain estate agents. I'm not really sure who to go with and as DH is abroad am not getting anything useful from him beyond 'whatever you think darling'.

Agent 1: from a smaller chain but 1 which is very active in the area, has sold a couple of houses in our area recently, has lots on, is new manager of branch. His pricing was a bit bizarre, he valued it at 175,000 and the price was tiered so higher property sells for the more we pay, if it sells for top estimate then fee is £3000, middle bracket of 167-171,000 would be £2700 and bottom is 2400. I've seen a house I'd like to view with them too.

Agent 2: from a big chain but they dont seem to be particularly busy in our area, he would market it at 170,000 rather than go higher, and the fee was £1750 flat rate. Again very confident he could sell the house without too much faffing.

Our position is that we'd rather get a good price and are not in any real hurry to move but would like to do it before the new academic year starts in Sept if poss as DC2 will start year R then.

I'd like to use Agent 1 really but it seems a big difference in price...

Any and all thoughts welcome.
Thanks

Myself???!!

Should read 'my house' on the market.

No career change ideas going on at all.Really.

Hi Snail,

Have you looked at recent sales on Land registry, this will give you an indication as to what house prices are doing in your area. Unlikly that you will get 175K in this market unless yours is so much better than the last ones sold. Its interesting to see a house that was advertised at certain price then 3 months later went for lower price.

We were in the same position as you, plumped for the very nice man with higher valuation but higher costs and they didnt do anything other than suggest dropping price down 10K a month later to get it sold.

If you really want to go with agent 1 then maybe negotiate with them, tell them that you would love to go with them but the costs are just to high, see if they are willing to lower charges.