Topic: | Re:Estate agents in Chiswick - Good ones? Bad ones? Fees? | |
Posted by: | T P Howell | |
Date/Time: | 14/07/15 12:30:00 |
P.S. 1% sole agency. 1.5% multiple agency. A good agent will be more than worth that (even at Chiswick prices). I would go for multiple agency every time (not joint, where the agents split the commission between them) - to ensure competition between the agents (otherwise some agents play games by selling to the buyer that suits them, not you). If you go for sole, make sure it is for a limited time - say 6 weeks to give the agent a fair shot at it. On occasions in the past I have suspected that even on "multiple" agency the agents have carved up between them who will get the sale because we had many viewings through one agent and none at all through the other. Obviously, difficult to know for certain, but if this happens, I would quickly replace the non-performing agent. I recommend that you check the terms of engagement carefully, so you don't end up paying for an "introduction" that does not result in a sale through that agent (see FOXTONS LTD v BICKNELL & ANR 2008). I add in the words "that directly results in a sale" to the agent's terms after reference to the "introduction". Also make sure that commission is only payable on completion (Foxtons' terms say that commission is payable on exchange, even if the buyer defaults and does not complete - and they will not change them). |