Recommended Estate Agent

[Baiggers]

Originally Posted by Hazel1884

Know anyone who's ever worked for them? Dont think they would say the same somehow!!!

Heard a couple of bad stories from people buying properties from them. Both involved people having offers accepted on houses and this lot continuing to allow people to view/make offers. One person ended up not getting their house and the other one caught them out by phoning up and querying its availability.

[Nelly78]

My mum works for a Solicitors and Estate Agents in Perth and the stories she's mentioned about Next Home are shocking - totally unethical practice that they wouldn't be allowed to get away with if they were covered by the same authorities as the estate agents covered by the Law Society's rules. Plus look out for all the hidden little costs they'll charge you - makes them more expensive than most Solicitors.

[Harry Curran's Love child]

Originally Posted by Baiggers

Heard a couple of bad stories from people buying properties from them. Both involved people having offers accepted on houses and this lot continuing to allow people to view/make offers. One person ended up not getting their house and the other one caught them out by phoning up and querying its availability.

Strictly speaking they can do that sort of thing. I agree it's not the done thing in this neck of the woods but in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen it's quite common which encourages purchasers to get the missives tied up ASAP. I suspect that the sellers of these 2 properties were probably happy enough.

I've been on either side of transactions with Next Home previously and they have been fine but I have heard a few stories about them too but I guess you would probably hear similar stories about other firms too. They are aggressive and have increased their news and sold market share quite dramatically which has pissed off a lot of solicitor firms in town. Because they aren't governed by the law society they can also do very pro-active things like do mail shots to anyone selling a property. Solicitor firms cant do that. Kind of a double edged sword.

I always used to compare Next Home to marmite, you either loved them or hated them.

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

Originally Posted by Harry Curran's Love child

Strictly speaking they can do that sort of thing. I agree it's not the done thing in this neck of the woods but in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen it's quite common which encourages purchasers to get the missives tied up ASAP. I suspect that the sellers of these 2 properties were probably happy enough.

I've been on either side of transactions with Next Home previously and they have been fine but I have heard a few stories about them too but I guess you would probably hear similar stories about other firms too. They are aggressive and have increased their news and sold market share quite dramatically which has pissed off a lot of solicitor firms in town. Because they aren't governed by the law society they can also do very pro-active things like do mail shots to anyone selling a property. Solicitor firms cant do that. Kind of a double edged sword.

I always used to compare Next Home to marmite, you either loved them or hated them.

I used nexthomes last year and they were very good , no hidden charges and the staff were very nice. They are relying on sellling to make a living so they are more aggressive at selling than the solicitors.

I can also say they are complete angels compared to some of the very large Estate Agents down south .

There are loads of satisfied clients quotes on their website . When we sold last year we spoke to our own solicitors and 2 other solicitors firms all of whom said it would take months to sell our place , next homes said they had buyers lined up for our sort of property and sold it within 1 week.

There will always be good and bad stories about solicitors /estate agents/other professional firms. Nexthomes were slightly more expensive than the others we talked to but they put in a lot of effort to sell your property and are well worth their fee..

[Hazel1884]

Originally Posted by Baiggers

Heard a couple of bad stories from people buying properties from them. Both involved people having offers accepted on houses and this lot continuing to allow people to view/make offers. One person ended up not getting their house and the other one caught them out by phoning up and querying its availability.

They are really bad for dishonest practices! Staff are treated appaulingly and I can't believe their staff haven't attempted to expose them and get a tidy sum out them for what they get up to!

[Harry Curran's Love child]

Who else did you get out Ginger? Hope it wasn't me!

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

Originally Posted by Harry Curran's Love child

Who else did you get out Ginger? Hope it wasn't me!

I am just going on my own experience of using next homes . Prior to this move I have used the same firm of solicitors for previous estate agency work and for other legal services. They did the conveyancing work on my last move and are a very good Perth based legal firm . They are our family lawyers and will remain so for the forseeable future.

I think that the PSPC is a great facility but on this occassion decided to do something different and was not disappointed with the result.

[Sheffield Saintie]

Do people ever put their properties on with more than one agent in Perth. From memory, I don't remember it ever happening, but wasn't sure if you could legally do it ?

Sounds like Next are good for the sellers, but not necessarily buyers, which is fine by me, as long as I get it sold for the best price !

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

Originally Posted by Sheffield Saintie

Do people ever put their properties on with more than one agent in Perth. From memory, I don't remember it ever happening, but wasn't sure if you could legally do it ?

Sounds like Next are good for the sellers, but not necessarily buyers, which is fine by me, as long as I get it sold for the best price !

Thats getting harder to do these days with the Home Information pack.

The secret to selling is being realistic with the price. If it is a nice flat ,it will sell in a reasonalble time if the price is right.

You will get a formal valuation for the HIP , the price you put it on the market at is down to you.

The best thing to do is to get opinions from different sources on the pricing and the likely selling timescale. You can learn a lot from that and then go with who ever feels right to you.

Solicitors are regulated to a higher level than estate agents but does not stop either of them making mistakes . Unfortunately there are many examples of solicitors acting unprofessionally ,that is why they pay millions of pounds each year to the Master Policy for their professional indenmity covers. The Law Society compels them to purchase mandatory professional indenmity cover which is there to protect you and me. The estate agents normally purchase the professionally indenmity cover and will have to purcahse it if they employ an IFA or RICS qualified surveyor.

When dealing with a solicitor you have the comfort of knowing that PI cover is in place for their actions , it is different for estate agents but you can always ask them if you have any doubts.

[Harry Curran's Love child]

Most, in fact virtually all, of the firms/estate agents have a non-dual marketing policy in place. I've never been involved with one like that but I think it can lead to difficulties about who found the buyer etc and who gets paid what. Most firms wont entertain it if you ask them upfront.

Like Ginger said, and in the PM I sent you, get 2 or 3 out and make up your own mind and get a feel for what they are all about.

I would also say to anyone thinking of marketing their property, that I think there are 3 key areas keep in mind:

1. Price it competitively
2. Advertise as far and wide as you can (especially in the current market)
3. Make sure your photos are top notch. Dont settle for point and click images, if you arent impressed with them, chances are that prospective viewers wont be either. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

Its all about getting viewers through the door and these 3 points are critical in doing so. Get all these 3 right and you will give yourself a fighting chance of selling your property.

Also, Sheffield, I have some stats for for you so I'll PM shortly.

[carhartt-saintee]

from my (atmittedly) limited experience, i'd recommend Aberdein Considine & avoid Next & Your Move like the proverbial plague- but that's just my opinion...

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

Why? You can't say that and not give a balanced reason.

[carhartt-saintee]

Originally Posted by Ginger Bakers rebel army

Why? You can't say that and not give a balanced reason.

pestering phone calls from both offices after my flat was advertised through A & C "don't sell with them, we can get you a much better deal" etc, etc
just found them to be pretty unpleasant tbh- but that's just my own personal experience, i'm sure there're plenty folk who've been very happy with their services.

[Jimmy Wallaces LoveChild]

Thorntons. Jimmy MacKay boy there is quality

[Sheffield Saintie]

Thanks, had Jimmy from Thorntons out and he was very good.

Just getting it ready this weekend, then getting the home report thingy done next week, then I'll decide who to go with.

[free the bees]

I am looking to buy a place and was wondering if anyone can recommended a surveyor? I have a copy of the home report, but would prefer someone to look over the property in more detail first. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Harry Curran's Love child]

Ask O'Rourke if he can help out. He's a surveyor.

I would recommend Shepherds but it depends who has done the home report

[Sheffield Saintie]

My flat's just about to be listed with Thornton's if anyone's interested.

Really large 1 bed flat overlooking South Inch with entrance on Nelson Street.

Has been valued at £95,000 on Home Report, putting it on at offers around £90,000.

If interested PM me and I'll send you through some pictures.

[Harry Curran's Love child]

Originally Posted by Sheffield Saintie

My flat's just about to be listed with Thornton's if anyone's interested.

Really large 1 bed flat overlooking South Inch with entrance on Nelson Street.

Has been valued at £95,000 on Home Report, putting it on at offers around £90,000.
If interested PM me and I'll send you through some pictures.

Wise choice, Sheffield. In this market, buyers want to know what you are looking for roughly and pitching it below the slightly higher HR value should help entice buyers looking for a good deal. Offers over isn't really working and Fixed Prices can send out negative signals sometimes so Offers Around or Guide Price is a good way to go

[Sheffield Saintie]

Thanks Harry, fingers crossed, there's a buyer out there !