Are my estate agents being painfully slow?

[INeedNewShoes]

I had two agents over last Tuesday to value my house. Both mentioned how busy they were and that they were selling houses within days of taking them on, before even listing them properly. I can believe it as I’ve heard tales of a bit of an exodus from London flats to the commuter belt countryside following lockdown. Basically I was given the impression that things would move incredibly quickly.

On Wednesday I signed the contract with my chosen agent and since then not one thing has happened. They haven’t booked the photographer to do photos. No contact from the agent at all.

The other agent had said last week that they could line up a photographer for yesterday so of course I feel like I went with the wrong ones.

Should I expect at least an explanation/update from my estate agent? Should I consider cancelling with this agent and go with the other one or would that be daft?

[84claire84]

@FAQs

Ive got the opposite problem, I’m sure my agent doesn’t actually sleep! Contract within hours, photos the next day, on Rightmove etc the same day. Sold quickly and he phoned me almost daily with updates for every little thing, he is actually great but feeling quite pressured. Mainly because I’m very laid back!

He sounds like the perfect EA to me. Ours is very proactive but it probably doesn't help because I will chase, chase and keep chasing until they are sick of the sight of me. I've learnt the hard way before and sat back and waited for them and solicitors and nothing moves faster than snail pace.

Hope your sale goes through quickly and smoothly

[newnamesameold]

If they are any good as estate agents, they will be able to arrange viewings without having had the photos done. They will have a portfolio of people that are looking. They could call them and discuss your home and sell it as 'not on the market yet blah blah blah'. They are sales people they should be selling! I understand people may not want to view without seeing pictures first but there will always be people that trust the agent to only show them properties that they think would suit them.

[FAQs]

Ive got the opposite problem, I’m sure my agent doesn’t actually sleep! Contract within hours, photos the next day, on Rightmove etc the same day. Sold quickly and he phoned me almost daily with updates for every little thing, he is actually great but feeling quite pressured. Mainly because I’m very laid back!

[bankholiday22]

Have you arranged the photos yet? Hope you sorted it out by now!

[Findahouse21]

If you've got a decent camera.then I'd suggest taking some yourself.

[INeedNewShoes]

I phoned on Friday and asked when the photos would be done and was told they’d left a message with their photographers but no appointment had been given yet.

The two agents valued within £5k of each other. I went for the higher because their commission is lower and because I bought the house through them and had a good experience as a buyer which I thought would make it a good bet.

I’ll phone later and chase again.

[boredboredboredboredbored]

Maybe they're very busy but that doesn't excuse poor communication. They should be telling you when they will be doing the photos etc. I'd be pissed off if I had to chase them!

[justtryingtogeton]

You should have a two week cooling off period if you've changed your mind.

I had to wait 2 weeks for a photographer

[bankholiday22]

We signed the contract last Tuesday, and the earlist day they could book a photographer is next Monday! Almost 2 weeks
Their excuse is there is a delay on photos with the bank holiday and limited photographers in covid.
Why don't you ask?

[Babs709]

I don’t have many examples that show estate agents aren’t appalling liars. The big sales pitch you had is standard IME. Bit shocked they haven’t booked a photographer yet. I think you can compare agents online somewhere? I wouldn’t worry too much about which agent you are using as everyone just uses rightmove but I’d say the biggest issue is estate agents over valuing your house to get your business and then not being able to deliver on that price. So perhaps do your own research and see if your asking price seems right?