ever had a really bad experience?

[mamab]

We have only bought one house, and the worst part of it was that we had the interest rate locked in, and because of paperwork in the real estate company not getting done on time. So, they tried to add points to our contract. Luckily, though, the owner of the local company paid the points since it was their fault that the contract was changed.

[vicki2]

At least they were honest! Sometimes I've seen big realty companies not be so honest. They figure you won't pay legal costs to do anything about it and will just be quiet and pay the points.

[tater03]

I would have to say that if you have had friends call about your house and they have not been givin any information on it your realtor is not working in your interests. I would say go with someone else if they are not doing anything for you which it sounds like they are not.
I to went right to the wire on our on our locked interest rate. But I would have to say the realtor that we ended up with worked her butt off to get everything done on time so we could sign the papers before the deadline. We were actually just waiting on the appraiser. Man I hated that.

[mamab]

What about home inspections? Has anyone had a problem with getting one done, or find out there's more wrong with the house, and then cancel the contract?

When we bought our house, we didn't have a home inspection because they're not required in my state. However, my husband climbed under the house to check out the plumbing. He found where one of the drains in the bathrooms leaked and mentioned it to the agent. She said she'd have the owner fix it before we signed the papers. Well, it was fixed, but it was a temporary fix. Not long after the papers were signed and we moved in, my husband had to go back under the house for something. He found another puddle, in the same place as before, and ended up having to fix the problem right, himself.

I know it wasn't the agent's fault, but it was frustrating.

[vicki2]

I blame both the agent and the seller in that case. Stuff like that I make a contingency in the contract. Either it is repaired properly or the sale won't go through. I've had it done to me when I was selling and I've done it to sellers as well. It's the only way to go because then there is legal recourse.

[tater03]

I didn't have anything major when we got our house inspected. Thank goodness. But I would never buy one without an inspection first only because of exactly what you described with your plumbing.

[tommyinturkey]

Ninoouk,

Bin them ..

İf i am not mistaken, there is, or was a newspaper called the daily echo,
or try daltons weekly,or your local free adds,
Then try searching the internet fo FSBO, For sale by owner,

Good luck,

[ninoouk]

Thanks Tommy! I am definitely thinkin about doing just that! Its been 3 months and we have had one viewing and not one bit of feedback unless i have called them.

Yes we do have the liverpool echo and daltons weekly. Will certainly look into it.

I even set up a myspace page for the house! www.myspace.com/kemblestreet

The house i am buying completes in 2 weeks so i need to sell quickly!

cheers

nina

[pds999]

Originally Posted by ninikins

Has anyone got and estate agent horror stories or had general bad experiences with their agents? Who wshould we avoid?

I don't really want to say their name but had a very poor experienec in the Summer:

1. Different viewing agent every time we had a buyer round
2. Late viewing agents
3. ZERO feedback
4. Unrealistic price
5. Awful photos in the brochure (which in the end we took ourselves)

Not happy.

[bonetti consultants]

Please all beware; check your contact before selling you property privately, the agent may entitled to there fee!!!

The best way to find out what agent to use is on market share and general local feelings. Check if they are members of the NAEA and other organisations, ask them if the do offer checks, of they look confused then walk out!

Mystery shop agent before instructing them, walk in and enquire about a property, think about how you were treated as this is likely to be how your buyer will be treated.

Ask them if they live locally? This has no bearing on how good they are but see how they respond to it.

Mailing out particulars is the worst way to sell property; the estate agent needs to be on the phone, booking in “proceedable” buyers to view. Insist that the property is on Rightmove by that evening or at least the following afternoon.

If the agent is so sure that they can sell your property in hours then sign a 1 day agency agreement at a higher fee.

If you need any further help, we can act on your behalf.

Kind Regards

Bonetti Property Consultants