Should I change estate agents?

[rainandsun]

The viewings seem to have dried up.
They got me only one offer way below asking price.
I think the communication is pretty poor.

I'm out of the 6 weeks notice period. It's been on for 8 weeks now.

Does anyone know how to word the notice so that I cover myself completely.
Should I call them first and give them my intentions.
Or is it my property that is the problem and changing estate agents won't make any difference in this current market?

Are u brave enough to post a link to what u are selling. I quite often think most people just look at Rightmove nowadays I know I did.

Lol no not brave enough!
It's refurbished inside but the garden is a blank canvas and needs doing.

I think the estate agents are ineffective.

I think Rightmove has made a lot of agents lazy. If the people don't just come to them they don't chase them.

"I think Rightmove has made a lot of agents lazy."

I agree totally.
We completed on our old home three weeks ago but the period between going on sale to exchanging was a nightmare with the estate agent taking no interest whatsoever.
They lumbered us with the buyer from hell with every delay in the process being down to them and their solicitor, our estate agent was difficult to get hold of and even when we did they often had no information for us. In the end we were getting most of the updates from the sales agent for our newbuild, she was like a terrier not giving up and getting answers (even if they were the answers we didn't want) when the estate agent could not (or would not).
Twice I asked the estate agent if we should drop our buyer to which they just replied that it would "be all right". With hindsight I can see that we should have dropped the buyer and the agent (we were only locked in for 4-weeks so free to do so) but were so worried about the delay and starting all over again that we stuck with them.

From exchange to completion he heard nothing from the estate agent until I got in touch the week before and to add insult to injury, on the day of completion they couldn't even be bothered to come and collect the keys or even ring up to say thanks you and good luck. I get more thanks from the checkout staff at the supermarket than I did from that creep who charged 1%+VAT!

Definitely change agents. Its the only way to get back to the top of the listing on Rightmove without having to reduce. I changed agents twice, the third agent I used managed to sell from the first viewing. It is all about the listing appearing 'fresh'.

Definitely move EA. New pics, new listing, fresh start.

Change EA! I did this with two houses and within a few weeks of changing sold the houses. The first house went for nearly asking price and the second one I lower the price.

Last straw today.

I called in Saturday and was told I couldn't get any information or updates as everyone was out. I asked to be called today..... and nothing.

I think I might take it off the market as there's nothing g to buy in my price range and I don't know if it's a good time to sell maisonette/flats at the moment - even with a large garden and side access.

Thank you for your replies. It's good to hear some of you went on to sell with different agents.

When I email them do I just say I hereby give you notice that so no longer want your services? What do I put.

Check the small print.
We are currently trying to get rid of the agent dealing with my late mother's house and they are pointing out that if we sell to someone they had previously "introduced" then we are liable for dual agent fees. As the house was briefly advertised before being taken off the market (long story) this is a real possibility.

This bunch of clowns probably won't even remember who they have introduced. I don't know who they have introduced either as they didn't bother sending me official viewing appointment email - apart from once.

I think I will take it off the market completely.

@Dougieowner

Check the small print. We are currently trying to get rid of the agent dealing with my late mother's house and they are pointing out that if we sell to someone they had previously "introduced" then we are liable for dual agent fees. As the house was briefly advertised before being taken off the market (long story) this is a real possibility.

And this is unfair because?

Thats a standard clause @Dougieowner and an understandable one in my view?

Like I said, long story.
The point is that at the original time of marketing they did very little. No photos were taken, no viewings and the house was offered only to people they "keep on file" (I.e. investors). It was soon removed from sale (for complicated reasons) but here we are over 7-months later and they say that if anyone who showed any form of interest back then subsequently buys the house (even through the new agent who will be marketing it correctly) then they are entitled to a dual agent fee.
The original agent wasn't doing it on the cheap for us (anything they did was for their own gain), they just thought they could get a sale for the least possible work.