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Original poster

Should I change estate agent or is this just the market?

41 replies

AmbitiousHalibut · 21/01/2019 18:08

Hi all,

I'd really appreciate some advice please. We put our 4 bed family home on the market in mid October. We knew that the run up to Christmas was likely to be quiet but equally a few agents mentioned that December 2017 had been unexpectedly busy and we decided to take the chance.

In choosing our agent, we had a few valuations and as they all suggested the same price and seemed broadly the same in terms of offering, we went with the nice guys who we actually bought the house from 9 years ago.

Our house is well maintained, walking distance to the train station with links to London etc, walking distance to the local common, Ofsted rated Good schools nearby, decent sized bedrooms, scope to extend etc etc. I know everyone is fond of their home but I genuinely can't see any huge issues with it. Sure, someone might not like our (fairly neutral decor) and the kitchen could do with an update, but it's not a project or disaster.

Anyway, since we went on the market we have had not a single viewing or enquiry. At the start of Jan, our agent came to see us and blamed Brexit (which I do get) but assured us that the market was picking up. A few weeks in, still nothing.

Last Thurs a friend suggested advertising on Zoopla for those looking to move out of London so I emailed our agents to ask if they thought this was a good idea, and if so if they could do it. I've heard nothing back.

In the meantime other agents are writing and calling and basically circling! Are my agents rubbish or are they victims of Brexit? Do you think any other agent could do better?

We wanted to move in time for secondary school applications this Oct so there is a slight time pressure.

Thanks and sorry this got so long!

OP posts:
Racecardriver · 21/01/2019 18:11

Change agents. It should be on Zoopla and rightmove

Racecardriver · 21/01/2019 18:13

Also consider your price. There are a number of properties for sale in our town that haven’t shifted since summer. They are all lovely and were appropriately if optimistically priced when they went up but the market is dropping. Newer properties are coming on at more realistic prices and being bought quickly.

BiscuitDrama · 21/01/2019 18:13

Does it come up on rigthmove when you check? Are you priced just over a big price threshold? Does the listing look ok?

wowfudge · 21/01/2019 18:26

If you haven't had a single viewing it's down to price. Have you checked the listing? Has the EA provided you with the statistics of how many people have viewed it online? The fact that they haven't responded to a customer email suggests they are not up to much tbh.

BiscuitDrama · 21/01/2019 18:40

If you want to share the listing I’m sure you’d get some ideas, but I appreciate not everyone wants to.

CurlsLDN · 21/01/2019 18:44

Well I'm actively looking to buy at the moment - first time buyer, no chain, got my mortgage in principle, ready to go!

I have the Zoopla app on my phone and it pings if a new property comes up in my search area. I don't ever visit individual estate agents websites and I recycle the property newspaper that comes through the door without reading it, as I assume I've seen it all on Rightmove and Zoopla.

I may be being naive/ignorant with that, but I think that's how it works now, especially for younger or first time buyers. So yes, I think you're missing a trick not having it on there. How are they reaching buyers with your listing?

Original poster
AmbitiousHalibut · 21/01/2019 18:45

It is on Rightmove and has been since the beginning. I was very happy with the listing and felt we couldn't have presented it better, although again, I know everyone likes their own handiwork!

It is on for just under a round number, so that it comes up when people search the bracket below it, if that makes sense.

I do totally expect the price to be negotiated down, I know people are expecting deals given the market and we will be doing the same as and when we go to buy (we're holding off looking at anything until we have an offer on ours, ideally). I'm just a bit stumped that absolutely nobody has come to see it. If we reduce the price now, we would need to drop at least 50k to move into the search category below, and that feels like a lot at this stage. Also when we went on, it seemed pretty comparable with what is on for a similar price.

The estate agent said the Rightmove figures looked good, but perhaps that was nosy locals?!

Gah. I'm getting incredibly annoyed about the agents not replying either way.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 21/01/2019 18:49

If no one is viewing it's the price. You don't need to drop down to the next search bracket but you will need to reduce. Can you post a link?

Original poster
AmbitiousHalibut · 21/01/2019 18:50

Biscuitdrama - I'm sure people would be really helpful (I'm touched that so many have replied to my woes already!) but I'd rather not share for now.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmbitiousHalibut · 21/01/2019 18:52

CurlsLDN
Good luck with your search! I agree with you, I thought that ultimately the agent wouldn't matter, we'd just get on Rightmove and the people would come. I've clearly missed a trick with zoopla so will make that a priority.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmbitiousHalibut · 21/01/2019 18:55

I'll talk to my DH tonight re price. We were thinking of inviting alternative agents to give us their valuations this weekend so hopefully they will be realistic given the current conditions.
Thank you for your thoughts, everyone.

OP posts:
UnicornsAndLizards · 21/01/2019 19:02

When my DP and I were looking to buy, we mainly looked on Zoopla. We occasionally had a quick look on Rightmove to make sure we weren't missing our dream home but that was it. Definitely get it on Zoopla.

Earlywalker · 21/01/2019 19:04

The market is dire at the moment on the larger properties. Starter homes/FTB types seem to be staying stable though.
If you need to sell, you need to drop your price. Remember though that where you buy next will probably also be open to negotiation so dropping the price doesn’t neccesarily mean you’ll be too much worse off.

binkybea · 21/01/2019 19:05

It sounds like price. We put ours on in Oct reduced it after four weeks and sold early Dec Wink

Still trying to find somewhere Shock

BalthazarsAThirstyBitch · 21/01/2019 19:05

Have you checked local sold prices on rightmove and zoopla? Look at comparable properties sold recently, how do these prices stack up against your asking price?
if you don’t want to post a link can you say roughly where you are? city/town/village north or south of london may all have very different markets at the minute and you might get some more localized knowledge that way.

mumsastudent · 21/01/2019 19:08

I think things have massively slowed down - I always keep an eye on bungalows in our area & previously they would only be on the market for a week or so - most of the bungalows are still on for months - I am afraid if you want to sell at the moment you will have to reduce but remember, the houses you want to buy will have the same problem so you should be able to make a lower offer. Last year the prices went up astronomically so really its just the market settling down - literally

caringcarer · 21/01/2019 19:08

If it is a comparative price to similar then drop it 5k and yours will be one they will view.

Original poster
AmbitiousHalibut · 21/01/2019 19:14

Thank you guys. I know it sounds silly but it's really nice to process this all "out loud". I've been wrapped in my own thoughts and I know DH is quietly stressing too so I appreciate the help.

We are in North Herts. I will do some homework on recent local selling prices.

I think we are at least in 2nd home territory price wise so yes, among the worst hit. But I agree that we will also be able to negotiate wherever we end up buying so it should all come out in the wash.

It just feels a bit... Embarrassing, I guess? That no one wants it. We were really keen not to push the agents into upping the price, very much went with their recommendation but I guess the market has got worse since then. Bloody Brexit.

OP posts:
SushiMonster · 21/01/2019 20:12

It’s the worst time to sell in years. Volume and price predictions are down.

Squirreltamer · 21/01/2019 20:46

My area upto 300k are still selling 1st week if good condition

The 350k and up just aren’t moving

Eg ex council 3 bed semi by me all selling for standard 220k - 250k 1st week

Few streets over in the best catchment
4 bed semis which usually go for 450k - just not selling
Same street - not touched since 1970 sold for 325k 1st day but same street 6 months ago. Similar house in all but identical state sold for 380k.

What I take from this is average house still selling hot cakes and above valuation. (Prices went up 5% last year, 0.5 last quarter)

Higher up the market everyone not prepared to take the risk unless a steal or one of a kind house.
The once in a generation houses are still selling straight away 800k+ as they just won’t come up again.

But the 300-600k market is just dead in the water. Most of these people don’t need to move and don’t want to get burnt.

1st time buyers, flat to 1st house sales, probate sales and rich and don’t care all still moving fast.

All down to Brexit. I know several people who are turning away business contracts from Europe as they just simply can’t agree terms because so much uncertainty.

ilovekale · 21/01/2019 20:57

I've had one on for sale with one viewing since end of November and also not on Zoopla, but changing agents as well. This one is Kent but 30m train to London. Feel your pain. Change agents and see what happens. That's what I'm doing too

Glitteryfrog · 22/01/2019 00:25

You don't need to drop down to the next search bracket but you will need to reduce.

This. It will pop up in everyone's right move alerts again.
I've got two searches set up. One specific to where I actually want to live and a second for the whole town in case something spectacular pops up.

It's also pretty close to the new year, we're considering moving this year, but need to sort mortgage advice, tarting up current house etc. (And I'm not doing anything until Brexit is settled!)

somewhereovertherain · 22/01/2019 08:41

We picked an estate agent because they weren’t on Zoopla

Lonecatwithkitten · 22/01/2019 10:44

I would always choose an agent that is on both rightmove and zoopla. Very few people look at both, so to hit the maximum number of potential buyers you need to be on both.
The market is very, very slow at the moment we are experiencing the greatest period of uncertainty since the Second World War.

Celebelly · 22/01/2019 10:53

Things are just slow in a lot of places. I've got my old house on the market and it's very well priced v others in area, but there still have only been a couple of viewings and I got the sense from the viewers that they are only really looking to see what's out there and not committing yet. I suspect Brexit is in a lot of people's minds at the moment and people are reluctant to buy lest there be a house price crash (and also uncertainty about jobs etc. too).

I check the houses for sale in that area every few days and it's rare to see one go under offer at the moment.