black cat

Got to the stage where we need to put the house on the market. Have spent the last 6 weeks painting decluttering etc etc. Threatening kids with bodily harm if they draw on the walls rip of new wall paper etc. That they are not to touch any paint ( last time we where selling they found 5 lts of blue emulsion and smeared it over walls, carpets and curtains in 2 rooms. They themselves looked like 2 little extras from brave heart!)
Have had 3 valuations done, all very similar and all charging the same and now have to decide who to go with. How did you pick your estate agents and did it work for you?! Help
Thanks

JoolsB

I'd normally go with the sexiest

Or failing that the one with the most prominent office location and best advertising. You can always say you'll give them 3 weeks sole agency and then you're switching to multi to give them an extra incentive.

Have you logged onto their individual websites to see how many properties each has sold recently?

black cat

Have yet to meet a sexy estate agent. (sorry any sexy agents on BE!!)
They are located in the same area and have sold a similar amount, 2 of them have sold in our road recently!! Just really confused now.

JoolsB

the one with the prettiest colour board?

how about a test -email each of them with a really daft question and instruct the one who gets back to you first with the most helpful answer?

dinky2

We picked the one that seemed most interested in the house, seems to have worked as we had loads of viewings and two offers within the first couple of weeks. Good luck.

charb

We went for the ones that came across the most professional, but friendly at the same time. They were the most expensive, but it evened out in the end, as they 'got us' more than the other two agents anyway. Sold in 3 weeks, although the buyers were one of the first to view (had to sell their place)

It was Haart btw.

black cat

AAAAArggggggg. Still can't decide 2 of them are really friendly enthusiastic etc. I know if we get the right agent it can make all the difference to getting a decent sale at the right price. going to have to toss a coin soon.

graz79

You can have ours. House has been on the market for 2 weeks. No advert in any local papers, no advert on there own website because and i quote
"Computers don't always work as you expect don't you know"

Phoned him this morning and got told he had got one viewing...we know, her daughter has bought the house at the bottom of the road and she was having a nosey..

:curse::curse::curse:

black cat

I'd dump your agent if i were you. (no i dont want them but thanks for the offer!!!) Its so difficult to know who to trust as they all seem so enthusiastic when they come round and say they have plenty of potential buyers on there books, who then vanish into the wood work when you actually sign on with them. Oh b****r still dont know what to do and have to make my mind up soon.:curse::curse::curse:

jerzo

I really think that they are all the same!! there are 5 different ones in our town and they all advertise in the same local rag and have similar offices etc.... so unless theres a big difference in what they charge i'd just toss that proverbial coin and sign with them Go for it !!!!

black cat

Right thats it have picked one, they are coming round in the morning to do all the measurements and take the photos!! Shame they can't come today as now i have the rest of the day and evenong to worry whether i have made the right decision!!!

jerzo

You'll be fine

Welcome to the Stressed world of 'house selling'!! :curse::curse:

Hope it goes quickly x

black cat

:: It making me feel a tad sick at the moment!

jerzo

I know but hope it all goes well tomorrow and the kids don't suffer too much!!!! (don't touch,don't move /sit/eat on it!!) poor things

I think we should be more like the aussies as in the photos of the houses on the web-sites are really awful sooo laid back, or lazy

esperanza

Storm in to the office saying that you are not happy and you demand to see the manager NOW. The one where the manager is available and happy to talk to you is the one you go with! That way you know that you won't spend the next six months chasing your tail and leaving messages everywhere and being ignored. Test them by leaving messages too and see if they ring you back.
And then get EVERYTHING they promise you in WRITING. Perhaps invest in a cheap dictaphone and record it all - tell them it's for your own records as you aren't very good at remembering details.
Whatever else you do, never ever trust them! Always think the worst and you won't be disappointed. (That is not a philosophy for life, btw, just for EAs!)