Concern on the impact of DIY house selling

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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on July 31, 2011 at 19:52

Removing this section of that discussion to the contaminated security of a quarantine holding pen is like removing a calf from the cow in case it damages her prospects of being sold in a dodgy market.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 31, 2011 at 20:01

Eddie, I'm trying to give Paul a chance to have the discussion he wants. In a pub, he could move to another table. Here he can't. So I'm helping out. S'good manners innit.

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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on July 31, 2011 at 21:16

If you say so, boss. (removes cloth cap and sidles out servants' entrance.)

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 31, 2011 at 20:07

Oops, sorry, clicked in the wrong place on latest activity. Didn't mean to disappear this discussion.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Martin on July 31, 2011 at 20:50

Blimey, I wasn't expecting my post to start such an interesting discussion..!

Unsurprisingly I'm not into litter louts, fly-tipping, or disrespecting one's neighbours either, so thanks for pointing out that my idea could be considered thus, OAE. Alternatively, I'd have thought that a DIY approach would be quite in keeping with this website's ethic. As for supporting local traders .. I certainly do that on a daily basis and 'pay my way' (I'd like to think), it's just that estate agents are a bit on the expensive side, aren't they?  And do they really support our schools that much? You make them sound so wonderful!

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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on July 31, 2011 at 21:15

And do they really support our schools that much? You make them sound so wonderful!

Lots of HOL folk have convinced me that without our estate agents our kids' education would be back in the Dark Ages, Paul. Naturally I'm a very persuadable sort of guy.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on July 31, 2011 at 21:21

Paul, this discussion may give you some sense of where OAE is coming from.

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Permalink Reply by dawnage on August 5, 2011 at 16:34

it's just that estate agents are a bit on the expensive side, aren't they?

 

I thought so too, until I completed my move last week. Then I reflected upon all of the work that had gone into marketing my flat since February and the million-and-one little hitches that our agent kept on top of on our behalf. Our chain nearly collapsed a few weeks back and I sat for an hour with our sellers' agents while we all tried to find acceptable solutions for an unacceptable complication. I was seriously stressed and am well used to stress (I'm a teacher so am used to responding quickly to crises and thinking on my feet) - however, I got a glimpse of what an estate agent's lot is when things are going wrong. I would not fancy having to have the conversations with solicitors I witnessed!

 

Currently, I am shelling out maddening sums to all kinds of tradespeople for bits and pieces on my new house... I can't help but think that the estate agent who kept the minute details of our house sale in his head for almost half a year and who called us frequently outside of office hours when he needed to update us on something was *really* earning his money in comparison.

 

Wow. I never thought I would write something like that!

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Permalink Reply by dawnage on August 6, 2011 at 11:20

Brian Thomas. I had reservations at first as they have a reputation more for lettings - but they offered the best rates. Maybe not having so much sales business worked in our favour; I felt we got a very personalised and attentive service, and I have no complaints at all about how they handled our sale. Would definitely recommend.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hatch on August 5, 2011 at 14:23

I would like to share another side to this (As a local Estate Agent for those members of HOL who don't know me).  

To give a little prospective... I have been valuing Harringay, Wood Green and Tottenham properties for the last 17 years... I know so many people that have lived to regret the decision to go it alone, some for financial reasons and others for personal safety reasons, there is far more to it than people realise!

NO I am not just trying to deter people, we genuinely do a pretty good trade in bailing people out of a situation when they realise just how much is riding on the sale actually going through.

Contrary to popular belief, reputable estate agents in this country are very skilled at what they do (helping their client - the owner - get to where they need to be in the best financial way possible). A professional estate agent will always achieve far more than a purchaser could ever hope to ultimately achieve, especially when the survey comes back on these lovely Victorian properties! It takes skill, knowledge, empathy, a great deal of inter-personal and top negotiating experience, to work in your clients (the owner) best interest.

I won't bore you with ALL the details, although I do take requests! This link gives you the basic outline of just a few of the pitfalls

My average fee for selling a house on the Harringay Ladder and local surrounds is around 1% and when my clients are tens of thousands of pounds better off at the end of the process, and they have been able to safely move, they generally don't begrudge our fee... in fact they recommend us to their neighbours and friends in the area. Here's a real life example We also obtain discounts for our clients with local solicitors, removals companies, tradesmen and all sorts, (the savings alone can cover our reasonable costs! It's a complete solution that protects your biggest asset and ultimately helps you to move in the best financial way possible.

That said, there are always alternatives and we all have choices.

Sincerest luck and I'd be happy to answer any questions on the subject - for free :)

Steve@Castles

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