Delay advertising property on Rightmove until had private Viewing?

[AvaloniaFunk]

We have signed a contract with an estate agent for 12 weeks, pictures have been taken, and meant to be up on Rightmove tomorrow. This morning we had a note through our door from our neighbour's daughter asking to view the house before it goes on the market.
I can't see a problem having an early viewing unless I'm missing something, but I guess by already signing a contract we are 'on the market' already?

Has the neighbour's daughter registered with the agent previously? If not, I would can the agent ASAP and ask to delay by one day for a possible private sale.

I don't think so, but surely once I have signed a contract with the estate agent it means the estate agent gets the fees even if I buyer presents themselves to me outside of the estate agent loop?

Look into this more closely

The EA will try to claim the sale even if private, because if it’s up online or there’s a board that is what has flagged it up to potential buyers

However, it’s not unreasonable for your neighbour to know you’re thinking of moving and mention it to his daughter, so IF they proceed you might be able to get this through as a private sale with no introduction from the EA.

When and how did your neighbours know about your move?

We are not yet online and there is no ' For Sale' board as I chose not to have one. Contract was signed 7 days ago. Mentioned to neighbour that we were planning to sell 4 days ago when I bumped into her and had a note through the door ftom her daughter requesting a viewing last night....

14 day cancellation rule on any contract.
However be fair, you should tell this buyer to go via the estate agent. You will have a better service than trying to do a private sale

A better service in what way? And worth over 3 thousand? I genuinely don't know which is why I'm asking.....

If they can see it today or tomorrow then great just ask the agents to wait a day or two. Bear in mind the market is mad atm and you'll likely to have a lot of interest very quickly. You don't want to hold anything up for one person who may not even buy

@Soph88888

14 day cancellation rule on any contract. However be fair, you should tell this buyer to go via the estate agent. You will have a better service than trying to do a private sale

Disagree with that completely.

I've bought and sold 2 properties without the involvement of EA's and frankly it's gone much smoother than anything where one has been involved.
Appoint solicitor, tell them who the buyers solicitor is and sit back. If you have direct contact with your buyer it's much easier.

Yeah you don't need an estate agent. Where did you sign the contract? I don't think you get a cooling off if you sign it with them at their offices.

Read your contract in detail but I would inform them (in writing) that you want them to pause work while you investigate a private sale. You may still have to pay them for the work they've carried out (photos, floorplan etc).

Pause it immediately and tell EA you have a private interested party - if you have other EA and they won't honour you passing perhaps use the 14 day cool off period to pull out, investigate neighbours daughter first then go with another EA if she's not interested

Can't you just advise EA of already interested party before they start marketing ? One of my neighbours did this in similar circumstances, they had interest from neighbours relatives so they advised estate agent of the person's name before it was marketed. They marketed with the estate agent but in the end went with the relative and no commission due to EA

Put in writing that you have had an interest from a private buyer by the name of x y z and they have not been introduced by them as they have not yet marketed the property and it has come via direct word of mouth.

You have already signed the contract 7 days ago and they have taken the photos of your property already. Read the contract carefully. It normally states that anybody who approaches you directly must be referred back to the EA. This will normally be in the full terms and conditions that you signed.

Thanks everyone.
I've called the EA to inform them of the viewing tomorrow so to pause any marketing. I am within the 14 day cooling off period and signed the contract in my home not their office so should be okay to get out of the contract if I need to. They didn't say this of course, that's just my assumption. They didn't seem very impressed ar all and there was a definite change of tone to the usual friendly patter. Obviously they have invested time and money in the photos and floor plans which I guess they would quite rightly bill me for.
Most likely that this viewer won't become a committed buyer though, in which case I guess we just carry on marketing with the EA as we were.
Hopefully I've got this right and not missing something important......

TBH it makes no difference whether you signed the contract in your home or their office ! If you have a 14 day cooling off period then that is different. I can understand why their tone changed as they have already undertaken work on this, paid the photographer etc. I would still read through the terms and conditions that you signed though.

OP - check what contract you have signed.

Is it Sole Agency or Sole Selling Rights?

If the latter, the EA will charge you their fee even if you find your own buyer.

Check the T&C’s fully would be my advice, also what is the position of the person that has approached you? Is she genuinely interested in purchasing or just nosy.