Estate agent conducting checks

8 replies

ThreeKoalas · 21/09/2022 20:10

I am about to go to the market and have recently instructed an agent for sale with sole selling rights. They are still conducting checks (it’s been one week) and someone asked me to show the flat. Do I still pay the agent if I sell with them?

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Mildura · 21/09/2022 20:19

It depends on the terms of the contract you’ve signed, where it was signed (there may be a cooling off period) and how this person came to know the property was for sale.

if they found out via the agent it was for sale it may be quite difficult to avoid paying a fee.

LionessesRules · 21/09/2022 20:30

How did the person know the flat was up for sale? That will probably determine if you can cancel on a cooling off period or not.

As an aside: what checks are the estate agents doing? We called on Monday, They visited and took pictures on Tuesday, were on rightmove on Wednesday.

Original poster

ThreeKoalas · 21/09/2022 21:45

Interestingly they are doing due diligence on own documents. The person found out through a friend, so not through them, they haven’t started marketing yet.

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blobby10 · 22/09/2022 09:21

This happened to me - I had just signed the paperwork with an EA when a friend messaged and asked if I was still considering moving as we had discussed it a few months earlier. They came and looked round the house that afternoon (as it was super tidy and clean for the EA!) and put an offer in the next day! EA said they would reduce their charge by 50% as I'd signed the contract but in the end didn't charge me anything as they hadn't even done photos! They were also the EA for 2 of the other 3 houses in the chain so must have made a pretty penny from both those.

Original poster

ThreeKoalas · 22/09/2022 14:06

@blobby10 thank you for sharing, great to hear it worked out well in your case. Hope it works out for us too!

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Original poster

ThreeKoalas · 22/09/2022 14:07

Sorry meant to say - due dilegence on our documents

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kewinsurreylass · 22/09/2022 14:10

Yes you have signed an agreement that says they sell you house
Why would you not want to pay them if they sell the house for you I do not understand
The fact that you allow them to show a buyer means you are happy to pay them

Original poster

ThreeKoalas · 22/09/2022 16:13

@kewinsurreylass I will pay if they sell. However they haven’t started marketing it yet and someone has approached me with interest in the property. They haven’t done anything yet.

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Flip