| Questions to ask an estate agent 17:02 - Jul 28 with 5478 views | yorkshireblue |
I'm looking to sell my house for the first time. I've got three coming round this week to give us valuations.
I've obviously Googled it and read all the 'top 10 questions to ask before selling you home' type articles - but if anyone has any killer questions outside the obviously feel free to share. |  | | |  |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 17:11 - Jul 28 with 4230 views | Plums |
I’m sure it was covered in what you read...but remember their best salesperson is employed to sell their services to you. Make sure you have a look in the branch and check the back office staff are as competent. Made this mistake with our first sale. The guy who did the valuation was brilliant, the staff in the office could barely tie their own shoelaces. It cost us.
Edit: sorry, that’s not a question. The question is “how do I know your team are as good as you?” [Post edited 28 Jul 2020 17:12]
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 17:14 - Jul 28 with 4214 views | yorkshireblue |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 17:11 - Jul 28 by Plums |
I’m sure it was covered in what you read...but remember their best salesperson is employed to sell their services to you. Make sure you have a look in the branch and check the back office staff are as competent. Made this mistake with our first sale. The guy who did the valuation was brilliant, the staff in the office could barely tie their own shoelaces. It cost us.
Edit: sorry, that’s not a question. The question is “how do I know your team are as good as you?” [Post edited 28 Jul 2020 17:12]
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Actually, no that wasn't mentioned and is a good point. Thanks. | | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 17:15 - Jul 28 with 4216 views | clive_baker |
Make sure you understand their fees. You could potentially also negotiate that they work to a lower % if you put it up with them exclusively, rather than with multiple agents.
Aside from that, just make sure it's looking nice when they come around and if you've done work to the place don't be afraid to tell them about it. I've found some tend to be a little lazy, by looking at what you paid for it and how long you've had it, then applying some general market movement to get to the selling price. I was staggered recently when I had 3 very different valuations for my place. I'm sure the high one was just telling me what he thought I wanted to here to list it with them, but equally the lower one was way, way off. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 17:24 - Jul 28 with 4174 views | befxblue |
They're all full of sh1t,
Make sure they advertise on Rightmove and/or Zoopla,
Then just go with the one who will give you the lowest fee,
People will like the house not the estate agent, being online sells itself. |  | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 18:01 - Jul 28 with 4112 views | NthQldITFC |
Left or right kneecap? |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 18:29 - Jul 28 with 4070 views | factual_blue |
Shefki or pablo? |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 18:31 - Jul 28 with 4068 views | BryanPlug |
[content removed at owner's request] |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 18:37 - Jul 28 with 4054 views | bluelagos |
Last time I sold a house I used the agent I previously used to buy a place. Reason being that their service to me as a buyer was excellent. They showed me the properties in a professional way and gave me good advice on the market and what was available /prices etc. So I figured they'd be more likely to find me a buyer.
Don't be shy in haggling. Their charges are very high so often there is a fair bit of wiggle room.
And given they often tend of over promise in terms of price - you can agree say X% if you actually hit that price, but say 75% of X if they only get within 10k and 50% of X for any lower. Tends to focus their mind on giving you a genuine rather than BS price point. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 18:39 - Jul 28 with 4046 views | Coastalblue |
Ask them what sort of experience they have of properties in the area, if it's a failry standard house on a road or an estate probably not so much issue but a few years ago we had ours valued, it was a bit of a unique property in some ways and by that I mean it wasn't standard fare, not that it was anything special.
The Estate agent clearly just googled the properties in the village and area we lived at the time and came up with something they thought was similar and valued it the same.
Reality was it was completely different, there was two more bedrooms ffs!
When we did end up selling we had wildly varying evaluations, made the mistake of going with one of the higher ones and then sat for six months with no interest. Having done our own research after that and going with somebody else it sold, albeit at a reduced price within three months.
The process to completion was a whole other story, but I'll spare you that. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 19:33 - Jul 28 with 3976 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 17:11 - Jul 28 by Plums |
I’m sure it was covered in what you read...but remember their best salesperson is employed to sell their services to you. Make sure you have a look in the branch and check the back office staff are as competent. Made this mistake with our first sale. The guy who did the valuation was brilliant, the staff in the office could barely tie their own shoelaces. It cost us.
Edit: sorry, that’s not a question. The question is “how do I know your team are as good as you?” [Post edited 28 Jul 2020 17:12]
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Good advice.
The 'valuer' is effectively a business development person rather than the estate agent. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 20:23 - Jul 28 with 3929 views | factual_blue |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 18:37 - Jul 28 by bluelagos |
Last time I sold a house I used the agent I previously used to buy a place. Reason being that their service to me as a buyer was excellent. They showed me the properties in a professional way and gave me good advice on the market and what was available /prices etc. So I figured they'd be more likely to find me a buyer.
Don't be shy in haggling. Their charges are very high so often there is a fair bit of wiggle room.
And given they often tend of over promise in terms of price - you can agree say X% if you actually hit that price, but say 75% of X if they only get within 10k and 50% of X for any lower. Tends to focus their mind on giving you a genuine rather than BS price point. |
Essentially they're just money-obsessed materialists. You can, I've been told offer them a commission of x% (where x is substantially more than their standard commission) if they sell at (a) the price you want; and (b) within the time frame you require.
Their standard commission is basically based on them doing as close to nothing as possible.
If they want a bigger BMW, make them work for it. | |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 21:11 - Jul 28 with 3881 views | WD19 |
According to pornhub there are quite a few estate agents that it is worth asking questions of....
Good luck. |  | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 21:17 - Jul 28 with 3864 views | jeera |
"Were you bullied as a child?" |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 21:54 - Jul 28 with 3807 views | yorkshireblue |
Some good advice here, thanks all. | | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 23:44 - Jul 28 with 3725 views | MedwayTractor |
Look at the type of properties which each agent sells. For example, some will concentrate on lower value easy to sell houses, some will deal in the more expensive types. This will give you a feeling for the extent to which each agent knows the market for your property. A local firm might be better for knowledge of the market where you live, but a regional or national chain might have better access to a wider market (although online sites tend to negate that advantage nowadays).
Fees: There are several types. 1) Sole agency, where you use one agent and the fee is payable even if your buyer is not introduced by the agent. 2) Joint sole agency, where you use more than one agent and the fee is payable even if your buyer is not introduced by the any of the agents. 3) A non-sole agreement which avoids your automatic fee liability, but the % will be higher to compensate for the risk to the agent that he might get nothing, most agents will resist this. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 06:35 - Jul 29 with 3627 views | trueblue1970 |
I used purple bricks saved a fortune the service was excellent and sold really quickly, only tip I would give if you do go with them don’t use their solicitors find a local one to you as it get frustrating when all you can do is phone them it’s much easier to be able to knock on their door, they also tend to be big firms and you get lost in their production line |  | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 07:22 - Jul 29 with 3588 views | hampstead_blue |
Get the agent which can get you the most money.
Often they will be the most expensive BUT they get a % of the sale price not a fixed fee.
You will be better off.
We used Foxtons in London to sell for us. They were the most brash and expensive but got us the highest price and quickly.
This is possibly one of your biggest assets. Getting the highest price is critical.
We've also been round the houses were we now live with estate agents to sell a small development for us.
Again, the highest price and best chance of sale won it for us. They sold next door to ur rental for a bold price and within 6 weeks.
The most established agent in our town is also the one who sells houses for the least! Go figure.
Q: What is the average time properties have been on the market?
Q: How badly do you want to see this house?
Keep on them and try and get a fairly short exclusive period so you can change if they get it wrong. |  |
| Assumption is to make an ass out of you and me.
Those who assume they know you, when they don't are just guessing.
Those who assume and insist they know are daft and in denial.
Those who assume, insist, and deny the truth are plain stupid.
Those who assume, insist, deny the truth and tell YOU they know you (when they don't) have an IQ in the range of 35-49.
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 07:54 - Jul 29 with 3571 views | TractorWood |
I think the market is currently flooded from sellers.
Yesterday in the area I frequently look there were 14 changes on Rightmove, 6 price reductions and 8 new properties. There are normally 2/3 changes a day.
There seems to be 2 sellers out there. People who want materially market price that aren't really selling and people who are desperate to sell. If you have a truly amazing house, an exceptional location or it appeals to a certain buyer it may well sell easily. However, if you have a reasonably standard house, it could be tough out there as some people are taking £20k off after 10 days as they are clearly getting no interest.
I suspect buyers are in short supply and those that are buying can be very choosy or haggle massively if the vendor is desperate. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:21 - Jul 29 with 3529 views | stopmoaning |
Ask them how much longer they think they'll be in existence.
Then go to Yopa or Purple Bricks, and see who does it cheapest.
Where I am, the market is pretty good at the moment, none of the price reductions etc the previous poster mentioned. |  | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:22 - Jul 29 with 3527 views | stopmoaning |
Oh and if you're in Yorkshire like your name suggests, then me too, whereabouts are you? | | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:22 - Jul 29 with 3526 views | Freddy |
Check their fees | | | |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:27 - Jul 29 with 3518 views | uefacup81 |
Avoid Purple Bricks
Granted they serve a particular niche within the market and are probably an okay bet if you're after a quick sale and aren't too bothered about the price you'll get. If you look at them, however, be prepared for them to vastly over-egg the value of your property in order to try and win your business.
Frankly, their business model is not geared towards them being motivated to do their best for you. They're getting paid regardless, and the fee is fixed, so why should they go above and beyond in order to try and get you the best price possible?
There's certainly suspicion within the industry that their reviews are not all they're cracked up to be either: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/purplebricks-trustpilot-reviews. I've just taken a look on TrustPilot and it seems very odd that almost all of the positive reviews refer to the individual agent by their full name without exception...
They go big on the whole 'no commission' aspect of their business but, assuming you've got an 'average' £200k property, that saving would be wiped out instantly if a traditional agent was able to get you an extra £1k for your property.
Do your own research
Spend some time on https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices.html and form your own reasoned opinion as to what your house is likely to be worth. It's not quite as powerful as the tools that Estate Agents and Surveyors use, but if you know what you're doing and what you're looking for then you should be able to get a pretty good idea.
If an agent's figure varies from the figure you've calculated, present your own evidence to them and ask them to comment upon it.
Likewise, take a look at the agent's pages on Rightmove and Zoopla. Look at what they're marketing, how much they've got it on for, and how long it's been on the site. If there's stuff that's been languishing, press them on it. Find out why it's not sold, and what they're doing to try and get it to sell.
Know the market
Don't necessarily believe all the doom and gloom about post-COVID house prices. I'm a surveyor up here in Norfolk and we're actually finding that sale prices are going up rather than down. Some of it can be attributed to there having been an imbalance in the number of sellers and buyers. There's also an element of people wanting to move away from the big cities. It may well be the case up in Yorkshire too?
Ask for a road-map
Press the agent for the worst-case scenario. They'll certainly be trying to wow you with how quickly they think they can sell the property for you, but press them on what they'll do if things don't go as smoothly as that. How do they intend to keep the listing fresh and prominent, and generate interest, if the property is still sitting on the market after six weeks? |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:29 - Jul 29 with 3514 views | hype313 |
Essentially they all do the same thing, chuck it on Rightmove and lobster pot. People are far more knowledgeable about the areas they want to buy, from standard of schools, crime, local links etc, all of this information is available online.
It won't be long before agents are redundant in my opinion, and we will all be able to advertise it ourselves on rightmove for a one of flat fee.
So go for the cheapest rate and let the area and house sell itself. |  |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:36 - Jul 29 with 3495 views | uefacup81 |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:29 - Jul 29 by hype313 |
Essentially they all do the same thing, chuck it on Rightmove and lobster pot. People are far more knowledgeable about the areas they want to buy, from standard of schools, crime, local links etc, all of this information is available online.
It won't be long before agents are redundant in my opinion, and we will all be able to advertise it ourselves on rightmove for a one of flat fee.
So go for the cheapest rate and let the area and house sell itself. |
I think that's a very basic (and arguably unfair) view of the role of an agent.
A good agent worth their salt will have, over time, built a strong list of genuine potential buyers, have a relationship with them, and know precisely what they're looking for. Get the right agent with the right client-base, and you will often find that they are able to sell the property without having to put it to the market.
That, in my mind, is where the online agents such as PB and Yopa really fall down. They fit the bill that you describe of simply putting the property on Rightmove and just waiting.
A good, driven, agent will be out there actively selling your property to people and, where there's interest, doing everything they can to drive the price as far up as they can get it.
Think of it as the ITFC model of selling players vs. the Peterborough model. | |
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| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:39 - Jul 29 with 3486 views | TractorWood |
| Questions to ask an estate agent on 08:36 - Jul 29 by uefacup81 |
I think that's a very basic (and arguably unfair) view of the role of an agent.
A good agent worth their salt will have, over time, built a strong list of genuine potential buyers, have a relationship with them, and know precisely what they're looking for. Get the right agent with the right client-base, and you will often find that they are able to sell the property without having to put it to the market.
That, in my mind, is where the online agents such as PB and Yopa really fall down. They fit the bill that you describe of simply putting the property on Rightmove and just waiting.
A good, driven, agent will be out there actively selling your property to people and, where there's interest, doing everything they can to drive the price as far up as they can get it.
Think of it as the ITFC model of selling players vs. the Peterborough model. |
Agree. The problem comes in a busy and competitive market. If PB don't actually sell your house you still have to pay. If an agent doesn't sell it, they have failed and no way are they getting paid! | |
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