Am Loolah

Ladies, ladies, ladies ... a contract is a negotiation between 2 parties!!! NEVER pay fees up front, that's not the norm here in the UK. ALWAYS negotiate the fee, whether it's a %age or flat fees. Most are %'s unless you have a larger, more expensive property then often you'll pay a flat fee that they work out for price bands of properties.

My recommendation would be to go with a National company owned by an umbrella group (like Fi says) as then you'll not only be on their web site, but on the likes of rightmove and primelocation.

It is usual to be signed up for a fixed term period, but if they have failed to get viewers round like you Michelle, just break it, what's the worst they can do? Issue you an invoice for say £100 for breaking the contract, you say they mis-represented themselves when you signed it by saying they had buyers waiting and could sell it in 6 weeks!

We're going with whichever agent will agree to our terms, we want them to advertise in advance and then go NZ stylie with an open home weekend - when we're not here!! That way I only have to tidy up and clean once!!!

UKNZAUS

They said 2-3 weeks and that they had about 30 people wanting to view my property!

UKNZAUS

Oh and Thank-you Caroline!

Am Loolah

I rest my case - pull out of the "contract" and just say they lied to you! They don't like being called liars, can't think why, something to do with their reputation!

Batty

Good luck Michelle. Be tough with the next lot. My recommendation would be to offer them an 'incentive' to sell your house quickly. We offered 0.5% extra for anything over the asking price and it was sold in a week and a half and for 2k over. When they're on commission it all matters. If they're looking for 1% you could offer them, say, 1.25% if they sell it quickly but not pay that .25% until completion day when it's all signed, sealed and delivered

UKNZAUS

Thanks for the tip - will speak to Carl about that later (when he gets his nose out of the DS)

Smelly Cat

Not to worry we arent paying up front and have only signed for 8 weeks to make them work otherwise we will be swapping agents..... we are lucky in the fact that we are hoping to go later on in the year as planning to move in with parent (yes i know a little mad!!!) but we will be able to save loads......

Batty

Ok, I can't work it out - what's the DS?

Maz

How easy is it to sell your own house in the UK? I was never a homeowner until I moved to the US. We might well use this company when it comes our time to sell. Working out of the home as I do, it's no problem for me to take time out of my day to show the house. And I'd have the time to tidy up and do spot-cleaning as need be.

Espressomattic

Our has been on with your move since December...what a waste of time 4 viewings and NO offers!! Went multi agency last week and have had four viewings with the new agent and awaaiting the outcome of some negotiations tomorrow. Wouldn't mind, but I leave in 7 weeks and would rather the family come out soon after that.

Stuff and nonsense!

UKNZAUS

Nintendo DS ... bit like the Gameboy but MILES better (I have one too and only reason I'm not on Mario is I'm too lazy to get out of my warm bed and go get it )

UKNZAUS

It's a bloody nuisance Maz - and see if you don't get a half decent solicitor to handle it, then you've no chance of moving the right side of 4-5 months! We chose a **** solicitor and I should have moved when I was 6 months pregnant (perfect timing I thought!) but we didn't complete until Ashley was 3 weeks old! I had a 3 wk old baby and a 7 yr old starting a new school within 4 days of completion date (we moved towns). I vowed never to move again - so I go to the extreme and migrate to the other side of the world

poppets

theres a tv prog on here in NZ at the mo (the school of home truths http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/951868 )
about buying a selling houses, & one thing they said about selling was you need not pay ANY fees up front to the agent.

danny.f

We haven't. (Hi Popps).

poppets

hi dan
(you only pay when you sell, you don't pay an agent when you buy honey - or else i'm in for a big shock & it would explain why out agent is very helpful!!!)