how to make your e4state agent work for you

[Tortington]

how do i make my estate agent work for me? i have told them i dont like the photos and i want some more but i am becoming v. frustrated with 2 viewings in 6 months.

ask DHW for advice hun.

Tell them you will go elsewhere! Don't be shy about telling them what you don't like. They useed communal about 4 times when describing my flat, I wanted shared as in "shared hallway" as I thought it sounded better. I tolde them whcih pics I didn't like.

Keep on top of them and tell them what you expect. I was very careful when chosing an estate agent as I had been round them all when looking for a new place, I wanted ones that were more proactive and encouraged buyers to look at other properties and kept buyers updated about what was new on their books. They should be waving your details under every new buyers nose.

If I'd had 2 viewings in 6 months I would change estate agents NOW - when you change, explain what you weren't satisfied with about the previous agent and ask how they would remedy the situation.

Ask if they will advertise your property, if so where and for how long. Ask if they will do the viewings for you. Ask how many people are on their books looking for properties like yours. Ask how many properties they have recently sold in your area, how long they were on the market for and how yours measures up to them. Ask for honest feedback about anything you can do to maximise the saleability of your property.

Don't necessarily go with the highest valuation or the lowest charge, it's all hot air unless they can actually sell the property for you. An estate agent who charges 3% but sells your property is better value than one who charges 1% but doesn't. An estate agent who values your property at 100k and sells it for that is better than one who values it at 120k but doesn't get a sale.

BUT be realistic - could there be other reasons why your your house has only had 2 viewings? is it overpriced compared to the competition? Could it benefit from a coat of paint or anything like that?

Finally, people do get to notice what properties are hanging about on the market and start to assume there must be something wrong with them. You might do better to take it off the market over Xmas (which is a quiet time anyway), give it a thorough spring clean, and then remarket it afresh in the spring as a "new to the market" property. Maybe at a lower price if that's appropriate.

this is a very useful site - it shows you the prices houses actually sold for in your area, and their exact address. So you can see what people really achieved for their property vs what they are asking for it/what you've been advised. It's also fun for being nosy!

ive changed - been witht his estate agent for about a month and had one viewing

This is a funny time of year - we put our flat on back in May and had 12 viewings in less than a week and two offers immediately.

Unfortunately our chain fell apart and we've had to start again from scratch. This time we've had 4 viewings in 2 weeks and no offers yet. So it might be partly the timing. But one viewing is still pretty crap IMO. Do you think your property's overpriced for the area?

i just phoned them up and asked them for their advice and she said " oh well i don't really know - the markets slowed down - i dont know - theres nothing else i can say really"

AND i only have until march before i have to start paying fucking council tax on it ( dead mothers house) wish it would all just go away

God how depressing. I've been through that a few years ago and sympathise greatly...

thanksxx

have you asked them if they advertise etc on Rightmove and all the other property websites?

they should be ringing all the people on their database and telling them about it to encourage viewings

Can you ask them to show you what has sold recently and at what price?Could you afford to drop a tiny bit to make it look a bargain?Prices are defintiely coming down a bit atm and so I would think unless it is a real bargain it won't go before xmas.They are working for you though and should be doing everything to shift it.New photos shouldn't be a problem if there is something like a lovely view or garden etc that you want seen tell them!Hope you get a sale soon.

thanks everyone have dropped price and is on rightmove xxxx

I once sold a flat and got a relative to drop into the branch, asking about flats in that price range & area. The woman on the desk did not fish out my flat's particulars, nor was the flat displayed in the branch window, even though it had only been on the market for a month or two.

As a result I switched agents. I eventually sold for 8k (roughly 10%) less than the original asking price, after about 8mths - at a time when the market was stronger than it is now. I think this shows that you need to know the market locally and be realistic about what you can achieve - estate agents will usually try to massage up the selling price if they want to get you on their books.

There is a load of info on the various regional property markets on the bbc news website at the moment - these might give you an indication of whether you are in a stronger/weaker position than you think.

Totally agree with Anonymama - good to try a bit of espionage. Get a friend to ring up looking for a house similar to one you are selling and see if they mention yours or get them to drop round the office and ask some leading questions about it - "Oh it looks as if it might need some work" and see how/if agents talk it up.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. Often homes that have been lived in by older people can look a bit tired so you could consider auctioning the property if you're after a quick sale - places that are in need of decoration but structurally sound do well at auctions. Set a high reserve and you might get lucky - it certainly takes the agony out of it all.

Can you take (or get someone who lives nearby to) new photos yourself and email them to the agent? We had to do this since they used a pre-tarting up external shot when selling my house.

custardo, i dont know if it applies now but when my grandmother died my df cleared her house so it wasnt habitable and he didnt have to pay council tax. may br worth looking into.

hifi - Council tax is payable at 90% on unoccupied house after 6 months grace following death of owner. I think some councils can set a rate lower than 90% but I imagine few do.

thank you for all your advice - i was wondering if anyone could help out with links to auctioneers int he greater manchester area? i can't get any joy on google.

thank you

julie twist, deansgate

north west property auctions

thanks xxx

there is one called Donaldsons, IIRC..

why not ask them to have an open day for the house?

does it need a lot of work? would it appeal to a builder or first time buyer, or investment property?

if you don;t like the photos , ask for different ones.. they are working for you and will damn well take their commission when it sells

does your local paper carry estate agent listings? often they will do a featured property or property of the week type thing

as there is no chain above, then it is surely very tempting

give them a deadline, and then change agents if not satisfied