Browse Forums Real Estate 1 Mar 23, 2010 9:31 am I signed up with an agency recommended from a collegue. I also talked to a bunch of other agents and this was the only agent who followed up any of my questions, always responded to emails and phone calls promptly etc. They had a plan, talked through how to handle different situations and generally seemed ok. So we've just passed our 3rd open house. There's been 35 groups of ppl go through the house and we've had 0 offers. Agent usually calls on the monday and records feedback and it's all been positive and the "what do you think it's worth" has been around the right money but still no offers. There's been lots of little errors in the ads online etc that I found and had to ask to be corrected. Each of these get correctd but only in one spot etc. The agent says they'll call and never calls. I've been at the house 2wce when ppl have come for an inspection with the agent and they haven't told us in advance (very embarrassing when you're eating lunch on your deck and someone rocks up to look at the house). I signed up to all and any advertising they thought was necessary, went with their advice on price and any adjustments as it's their job so they should know what gets ppl in so really don't think there's anything else I could do. I always give the place a really good clean, mow the yard etc so it's spotless for inspections. So I sent a friend in the last open house who wandered round a few times, generally hung around and agent never spoke to them. They called the friend for feedback and said it was basically what they were looking for, the right price range and never did the agent do anymore to see if they wanted to actually put in an offer...just asked if they'd like to sign up the the email list. So thinking my chances or selling the place are low unless we stumble onto an agressive/or desperate buyer who does all the work. The exclusive rights finish in 2 weeks. So my options are: a) keep the agent for another month and hope someone comes along b) end the arangement and start fresh with a new agent c) end the arangement, rent the house out for 12 mts and try again with a new agent next year. I'm leaning towards c atm as it'll be a whole fresh batch of ppl in 12mths who haven't seen the first agent. My only reservation is we put lots of effort into getting the house ready for sale and very presentable and it'll neve look as nice once I put tenants in it. Built Liberty 42 - Handover 26th Feb 2010 forum thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=17243 Re: Switch agents or wait 12 mths and try again..advice need 2Mar 23, 2010 9:46 pm Hi Nightshade From what we went through with our agent be grateful he rings and lets you know how the home open goes. Ours was useless. Thankfully ours sold quite quickly. What to do? I dont know. Thats only something you can decide on. I am one who believes a house sells itself. Not the agent bashing potential buyers over the head. The agent just markets it and does the paperwork. No agent can make a person buy a house they dont like. I am sure there is a person out there for your home. And just remember you have only had three home opens. Thats not many. Also, speak to the agent and tell him not to bring anyone to the house without calling first. I would be furious with that. Geez i was cranky when our agent did the final walk through prior to final settlement without letting me know and we didnt even live there, House was empty but its still my home. Good luck with what ever you decide. Caz Re: Switch agents or wait 12 mths and try again..advice need 3Mar 24, 2010 9:46 am I would also be really annoyed with the agent just rocking up for an inspection without calling first, and I would think that they would be asking potenetial buyers questions when they are at your open house, BUT I am not really sure what else you want the agent to do? They are calling you and giving feedback....I would be looking at what else YOU can do to sell your house. Presentation and price are generally factors in selling your house. Have you got it priced too high? Have a look at other similiar houses for sale in your area and see what price they are listed at. I agree with PP, you have only had 3 opens, its still early days. Re: Switch agents or wait 12 mths and try again..advice need 4Mar 24, 2010 10:46 am Hi Nightshade, May I suggest following up the principal of the agency themselves? It sound like your home is a real winner with the price on the ball with the market expectations. I believe it is the agent themselves who is letting the sale down with their lack of follow up skills. It is agents like these that feed the stigma and gives agents like me a bad name :*( By calling the principal licensee of the agency, you can discuss the follow-up procedure and performance of the listing agent and potentially get your house sold by just having a different person from the agency following up the leads. This joker is looking after your home and asset. May I suggest calling the licensee as soon as possible? Regarding renting out your home, the best way to proceed is to speak with your accountant and a banker, get your finances in check specifically looking at your monthly gross takings. Is a year's worth of rental income going to benefit you tax wise or will it bump you into another tax bracket ? Can you afford to pay the mortgage on this property and the related expense on where you are staying at the moment ? Is waiting another 12 months going to make you miss out on a "good price" right now or will it actually make your land value appreciate a bit more ? (this question is VERY suburb dependent) Pursuing the rental of this property, may I also suggest that you meet with and interview a couple of property managers from different agencies. It is the Property manager that looks after the property, so it is good to speak with the one actually looking after your home. TL:DR version:(Too Long: Didn't Read) Call the licensee and vent about the slack agent you got Get a new agent and if the property still did not sell, Look at 2 or more different property managers, rent the place out and re-evaluate your position. I hope this helps! Ciao! Re: Switch agents or wait 12 mths and try again - saga over. 5Apr 19, 2010 7:06 pm So an update on what I did. I ended our agreement after the exclusive period and switched to a different agent and after 2 opens have my house under contract..just hope it all goes through. The saga from the first agent only ended today, 2 weeks after sacking them. The agent was the principal / licesee so really noone to complain to. They took it badly and were very unprofessional. Pretty much threw my keys at me after they finally handed them over...they kept not delivering them at the times they said they would and made me miss appointments sitting around waiting for them to turn up. Then had a major battle getting copies of the photographs that I paid for off of them. They wouldn't answer my calls or email. I finally CC'd REIQ (at their advice) and got somewhere. The agent then sent me a very nasty war and peace email pretty much saying i was niave and to never speak to them again. Now that I've finally got the photos from the photographer I'll be more than happy to oblige them! Built Liberty 42 - Handover 26th Feb 2010 forum thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=17243 Any electricians here please help. 1) Will the Fan need separate switch to ON/OFF/Speed eventhough it comes with Remote 2) how about… 0 1153 1 13046 Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 15555 |