Forum Topic

Estate agents in Acton/Chiswick

Hi,Forgive me for double posting as I have posted this on the Chiswick website too...I wonder if someone could give me some advice on choosing an estate agency to sell my house locally. I have a property on the Chiswick Acton border that I let out. I am new to this site.I am not on the market at the moment but am looking into it and finding out about different agents reputations and their terms and conditions... any thoughts/experiences would be gratefully received as I want to make the right decision.I would love your comments on a few things I have found out:1) I thought Estate Agents are totally no sale no fee? I have found out that several firms charge a withdrawal fee (RSK/Foxtons etc - in fact most of the big shiny corporate firms seems to) or charge commission if they have found a buyer but if you withdraw your property from them pre-exchange of contracts and pull out then full commission becomes payable (Orchards). Also, a lot of firms charge up front for photography and floor plans.2) Sole agency contract terms.... I thought we were in a competitive market where buyers are falling over themselves to buy? So why do majority of Agents insist on tying you in to a long 8/12/16/24 week unbreakable sole agency contract??? Surely, this only shows a lack of confidence that they can do the job?3) Fees - this varies a LOT - but seeing as we are in boom market where stuff is selling fast - why do so-called "leading" estate agents insist on charging massive non-negotiable fees of 1.75% plus VAT (Orchards)or 2.5% plus VAT (Foxtons!!!)... also after a little research I have discovered that a lot of the Orchards staff are ex-Foxtons employees anyway...I think all of this is so bad considering all estate agents seem to do similar things.Also many agencies seem to be just bunging up fake sold boards to make it look like they have a large market share ... a friend of mine had one put up outside her house and it was a total fake - and illegal as far as I can see.So - can anyone answer my questions and recommend an agency that is fair/reputable and reasonable? (ie 1% fee or less, no long term agreement and on a no-sale-no-fee basis)I am learning fast that not everything is as it might seem on a surface level...Ta,Jackie.

Jackie Williams ● 4682d28 Comments

Hi,Thanks for all your comments and help.Last night I had the final valuation from another two firms (Had a total of 7 in the end!!).Have decided to run with a local, well established independent Acton based (seeing as my property is in W3 - just!)firm for 4 weeks. They have been around since the 1980's. They also have an office in Ealing, Northfields, Isleworth, Greenford etc and the other offices will help sell my place too.They were really helpful and I was shown that they are ranked in the top 5 in the W3/W4 area on Rightmove. (Even above Foxtons Chiswick!!)They have agreed to a fee under 1.5% which is very competitive considering my house is worth £850,000... they are totally no sale no fee (and throw in everything for that price) and they do not have a contract term... it is open ended so they only require two weeks notice if I want to take it off them. They do all the same marketing as the big shiny corporates (rightmove, Zoopla, Prime location, the glossies) but at the same time have great local contacts.The guy who I met last night has already lined up 5 viewings for me today and several for the weekend! Also, he was the only agent who actually seemed to want to listen to my needs and what I had to say. All the others seemed to want to do their 'set piece' and tell me how wonderful they were and how rubbish everyone else was...It seems odd to me that anyone would sign up to a fee in excess of 1.5% in the current market AND to an agent who is not totally 'no sale no fee'...All I can say is that I am glad I took the time to read the small print on the terms and conditions as many of the agents who came round appeared to be nice and fair - and claimed to be the No.1 - but in the detail of their terms and costs - they were actually pretty bad.Aston Rowe and a few other independent agencies were good but could not match the terms of these guys. The corporate agencies were nowhere near!We will see! However, initial signs seem pretty good.Will keep you posted.Jackie.

Jackie Williams ● 4681d

Emelia and Dave, not sure I like what you are saying at all.I am new to this forum and don't like being accused of lying.My house is in Avenue Crescent (Mill Hill area)W3 8ES and the Chiswick border.Anyway, why do I have to justify or prove myself to anyone on here??I got some good advice from my original post on ChiswickW4 - but just a load of old hogwash on here.I now have an offer £20,000 over asking price. I am very happy.I think all agents in the current housing market should be totally no sale no fee as this shows confidence... if the agent is truly confident (instead of being full of lies/hot air/corporate guff) then they will offer a fair fee, be totally no-sale-no-fee and not tie anyone in to a contract term.I understand, from law that an agents works solely on behalf of the house seller to achieve them best possible price. So why do so many agencies, based on this, then try and fleece their sellers (to which they are legally obliged) with crazy fees of 1.5% - 2.5% on sole agency??? AND tie them in to nasty long term contracts and clauses (withdrawal fees etc etc)...Really, really happy with my experience with rolfe east in Acton. Other agents told me that they were sleepy and wouldn't get best price etc. However they have achieved a higher offer than any other agent came up with... and the best fee and terms. They are also really nice, honest people to deal with.Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and urge anyone thinking of selling to check the terms and conditions before signing anything...Over and out - and to all you cynics out there, get a grip.Jackie W.

Jackie Williams ● 4677d