How much contact from estate agent

[DobbinsVeil]

I'm selling my mum's flat. I'm in Essex, flat in Glasgow. As I was really pushed for time I found what seemed like a good estate agent, and it's been on the market since beginning of October. Apart from the first week it went on, I've heard nothing from them, unless I contact them first. I probably contact them every 2 weeks. I recently changed it to a fixed price at lower than the offers over had been as I really want it sold. (Was my suggestion to drop price).

Before you think me greedy, the money will be going to my DC, it's being responsible for a flat I can't easily check on that makes me keen for a quick sale.

What sort of contact is normal? Is there any point unless there's interest?

Had a reply from current estate agent. There's a cancellation fee of £395, plus £100 accompanied viewings fee. they won't hold me to the 28 days notice.

New agent says I'll have to have another home report done though will do a discount and that will be £180. Their fees are also higher.

You DO NOT have,to have a new home report completed. As long as the property is not off the open market for over 28 days then the current one is fine.

When you get a buyer you may be asked for a replacement report and this will cost a minimal fee but a whole new one is most definitely not required.

I suspect new agent says it does in order to get a wee kick back from the surveyor.

Just to add, if you do get a new one now and it takes new agent over 12 weeks to sell then it needs to be replaced again so you are looking at 3 reports which is ridiculous.

That's interesting, thank you. I did wonder about the report as £180 is a lot less than I paid for the first one. The current one was done on 4 September, so it is a bit old now. I just don't know what to do tbh it's turning into a bit of a nightmare.

4th September means it’s still in date, just for mortgage purposes. It only needs replaced when you have a buyer.

Sorry I had a vague idea about the Scottish system but was not aware of the valuation bit. The work doesn't sound much at all. The work I was talking about involves scaffolding and props etc! Best of luck with the sale, the market is really horrible for sellers at the moment (well where I am anyway!)

thanks wwyd I will speak to the new agent again today about the report stuff as I'm now agent-less!

thanks FrankIncensed I don't live in Scotland so it's all new to me, and I'm just bimbling my way through. And a bit inconvenient with being so far a way. I keep worrying the flat will get burst pipes/vandalised/squatters etc and just want to be off the hook for it.

hmm plot twist! "Old" agent emailed saying someone who'd viewed before wants a second viewing but can't make it until next week as he's not in Scotland. Said I'd hold off changing to another agent to accommodate the viewing and they now also have someone who wants to view at the weekend.

Accepted an offer this morning! £128,000 so £12k under the homebuyers report. I think it's a fair price tbh, slightly under what my mum paid but close enough. I'm just so relieved that it's sold and should be done by mid-Feb. Didn't move agents in the end, they did start to be more communicative and also got some minor work and a deep clean done on the flat which they arranged for me.