I live in an area where many properties never make it to websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla because they are sold pre-market by agents who already have specific customers in mind. This means that most properties on these websites have hung around for a long time and many are overpriced/unsuitable.
Has anyone any experience of hiring a property search agent? Most appear to charge a retainer plus 2-4% of the final property price in exchange for finding properties that aren't yet available (e.g. potential sellers who've asked estate agents for valuations), short listing properties, applying local knowledge, and trying to negotiate a fair sale price.
The sales pitch sounds good but it's hard to know whether or not they are actually worth the expense.