Which estate agent?

bobnitro · Post by **bobnitro** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:42 pm

Hi guys,

selling my house in Falkirk and wondered if there is a preferred choice of estate agent?

Are some better than others?

pro's and con's

Thanks

Bob

Karen · Post by **Karen** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:37 pm

If you go with a Solicitor and want ESPC, just watch who you choose as a lot of them there aren't members anymore and they'll have to charge you non-member rates!

flip flop · Post by **flip flop** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:58 pm

I would guess that most people would look at clyde property or slater hoggs websites first so they probably have the biggest amount of online viewers giving you access to a bigger potential customer base. They also both have offices in Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh where people do look at Falkirk as a more affordable location. Also as they arguably need more sales they may be able to give a bit on the percentage charged to sell your place. I have sold with both and find them very good.

Might be worth looking in Falkirk Herald at the comparative prices the estate agents are on at. We have an estate agent in Stirling who consistently prices her clients houses significantly higher that the others but she always seems to sell them although it may take a while and some nerve. Guess it comes down to quicker sale or hold out for higher price.

Other company that seems to be doing well is the 1% company (i think its called), based in Larbert. But you should be able to negotiate a 1% commission wherever you go, also bargain for some free or discounted adverts in the local paper.

For a solicitor I like Anne Laing at PH Young in Bo'ness, small company seems to work on common sense rather than bamboozling legal stuff and generally good to deal with.

Hope any of the above can be of some help

cheers

Digital · Post by **Digital** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:17 pm

I'm in the opposite position at the moment, looking to buy a house around the Falkirk area. A couple of properties that have come up that are of interest are advertised via Clyde property, but I'd have to say they are not being advertised at all well by the agents. The schedules had a lack of photos and singularly failed to describe some of the most important features (like a garage!).

Good luck

xtreme · Post by **xtreme** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:31 pm

Bob

Definately a better service than others: Taylor William Estate Agents in Larbert! Small family firm covering Falkirk area growing through recommendations / word of mouth, friendly / personal service, out of hours call divert so always available and they do the viewings etc (usually gets you more money!), they can also recommend solicitors etc (some horror's out there....!) - Free valuation if interested!

PS My wife owns the business

so might be biased but am sure I could get you a discount.....! PM me for her mobile number if you want to speak to her direct!

PPS IMO The only1property company have big signs, but very few properties on the books, no client base looking for properties, dont believe they are on rightmove (essential! ESPC not used in Falkirk area)? Also - only 1%? Dont believe anyone charging higher than that????

Barrie

bobnitro · Post by **bobnitro** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:02 pm

Hi guys, thanks very much for the advice and messages.

Thanks for the offer too Barrie, will look into it. I am only just getting familiar again with the various charges and ins and outs of selling a house.

It sucks

Karen · Post by **Karen** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:54 am

One tip! You'll know that you need a home report and they are generally cheaper going direct to the surveyor so don't fall for the agent telling you they'll do it for you! They may put a mark up on it for themselves for having to deal with it.

xtreme · Post by **xtreme** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:32 am

Karen. That is not always the case, plus the estate agent knows which one will give the best valuation! This can easily mean a 10k diff on a valuation!!!

My 2p through experience of seeing an estate agency business on the side!

Barrie

cstrachan · Post by **cstrachan** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:56 am

Have to agree with Karen, the estate agent will bump the price for the home report. Anyone buying should get their own survey done as the home report is cack (I could show you a sellers home report v's my type 2 survey, a huge difference). The home report is also only valid for 3 months so be aware.

As esate agents go (using them for buying and selling) all are acting in their interests not yours, go and see a few properties with them before hand and you will see what they are like at selling someone elses house to you.

Why not try and sell your own place, a board in the garden, add on a few web sites like s1 homes and maybe even an add in the paper, if you get no where then go down the agent route.

xtreme · Post by **xtreme** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:23 am

A good estate agent should let you choose who you go with for a home report, but there are differences depending on who you go with, some survey higher then others....Obv in your best interests to get a higher survey (Bob - pm me if going down this route - am sure Lorraine whould be happy to advise who is best to go with in Falkirk

!) Most banks are only accepting home reports less than 12 weeks old but most houses are taking longer than this to sell, plus you must have a home report if advertising your house for sale, bit of a con really!

Good advice re seeing a property with an estate agent beforehand, it is really difficult at the moment as there are a lot of good and bad estate agents...

Some will tell you they can get £x for your house, when in reality this is too high but gets you to sign with them and after a few months of no interest you have to start reducing your price to what other agents advised, by this time you are signed up (and more desperate to sell so usually have to drop it by more again...) Remember if an estate agent advises to drop the price by £10k they only lose £100 commission.....

Others will tell you they can sell your house within x weeks, or have someone looking for this exact house...... bullsh!t

The market is slow at the moment, but houses are selling as long as the owner is realistic about what price they want to achieve. Too many want to buy a house at £20k less than it was worth 2 years ago but still want the top price from 2 years ago for their own house!

Makes selling a car seem a breeze!

s29ttc · Post by **s29ttc** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:54 am

One of my dads friends is an estate agent and is highly recommended

in fact he sold my dad his house about 4 years ago and have been friends since.

I can pass on his details if you wish. He works with remax scotland

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:38 am

IIRC Remax aren't solicitors so they won't be on any of the solicitor's property centres websites. not sure what its like in Falkirk, but in Edinburgh that would be suicide. Not so in Glasgow oddly enough, where S1homes seems to be the site everyone uses.

tut · Post by **tut** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:59 pm

No contest, go with Barrie, top bloke, S_E member, drives at KH like he stole it.

nuff said............

tut

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