Selling property- Estate Agent wants to share the listing with his brother

[2021x]

Wise Mumsnetters.

I live outside of the UK, and my estate agent selling my house wants to share the listing with his brother who is another estate agent.

I checked with the lawyer who said as long as I am OK with it being his brother- can someone help me understand the risk with that?

What risks are you thinking of? I don't understand the concern?

As in his brother wants to buy it?

Won't you have to pay twice the selling fees?

So he has said I only have to pay one set of selling fees.

He wants his brother who is also an estate agent to sell it as well i.e. two of the selling it. I can't think of a reason I might be at risk?

Thats what I am wondering. I checked with the lawyer, who said its normal to share listings as long as I am OK with the other person being a brother.

I am trying to work out why that would be something he would highlight in his response.

I would want confirmation in writing that you will only be paying one set of selling fees but apart from that I can't see an issue.

Awesome, yes I googled what to do, and it said to do that. So I have it in writing.

Thank You.

If moving to multi agency selling make sure get a new contract that specifies you are now multi agency or dual agency and what the fee payable would be depending on which agency sells the house

". I can't think of a reason I might be at risk?"

Your risk is that between them, they convince you it is not worth anything like the listing price and get a mate or his brother to lowball you and someone gets a property for mates rates.

I would say "there's no need if you are confident in selling it as your listing agent told me." If they are confident, they have no need to share with another EA. If they are not confident, they should release you from your contract and let you go elsewhere.

Do you have valuations from this agent and others? I’d be wary about the house being undervalued, but otherwise, go ahead.

Run. Run as fast as you can. These two sound like a right pair.

Ask your lawyer why they raised the issue of being brothers - say you need it spelling out. I am guessing it is something to do with dual relationships/conflict of interest or similar.

Thanks everyone. I have never sold a house before so trying to work everything out.

Can you explain why?

If something is very unusual or sounds dodgy then it's best to assume that it probably is and avoid it. There could be all manner of scams concocted between two EA's to fleece a client.

I think the issue you have is the majority of the users of this site are British where co listing is rather uncommon. Depending on where in the world you are it may be much more normal and not the red flag some are suggesting it is

just a thought….. when I was buying, if I saw a property listed with two separate estate agents, I would assume that they were extremely desperate to sell and therefore give a lower offer?