how to bypass estate agents - as I seem to really dislike them all

[pleuni]

can I offer on a house (it it next door to a friend on mines house) so now I know it's for sale but bypassing/so without using the bloody estate - they have a board up outside the property.....any info/advice very welcome !!

[boxtops]

I may be wrong (and others will tell me if so) that if the sellers have a current contract with an estate agent to sell the house, they can't sell privately? I am sure ABers who understand this from the legal side will confirm this or give you the full correct picture.

[joggerjayne]

If it was the agents' board that alerted you to the fact that the house was for sale, then the agents have "introduced" you as a buyer, through their visible marketing.

If you found out it was for sale because you heard it through a friend, and he heard it directly from his friend (the owner), then the agents are not involved in the sale ... it is a private sale.

But ... some agents tie their clients down to "sole and exclusive" sale agreements ... which prevent the owner from selling their own home except through the agents.

[pleuni]

mmm.....but if I can get them to take the house off the market with the agents...if it's not sold - can they then not sell it privately????

[pleuni]

thanks JJ - u thinking x

[joggerjayne]

Well, most "sole and exclusive" agreements, if they are in place, are for a limited period ... commonly 12 weeks.

But there may be no such agreement.

If there IS, then the friend will have to wait until the exclusivity period expires before selling privately.

[pleuni]

so why does anybody use an agent?? .....seems that the agents are making a living just because 'people' think they need them???...for marketing?....or just slimey patter?

[joggerjayne]

(1) for a valuation

(2) for marketing ... because they will "shop window" properties in places where people conventionally look to find them

(3) because they can't be bothered to do it themselves.

But you can sell you won home. You can set up a website if you are so inclined, just for your own house sale. Last time I sold a house, the agents' commission was about £15,000. It would have been worth doing quite a lot of work myself to have saved that!

[pleuni]

JJ...must have been quite some house you sold!...but yes...15k best in ones own pocket than those bloody horrid oily agents - who don't really do 'work'....just capitalise for no risk at all

[joggerjayne]

You don't get much house for your money here, pleuni.

I'm much happier now, in my jolly 2-bed flat.

[gilf]

Pleuni -

The contract the seller has with the agent is their business, if you were to contact them and purchase the property then there is no reason why the agent has to be involved.

Having said that, the seller would still have to pay the agent the commission, but that has no effect on you talking to the seller directly. Whether they would do this you will have to ask them, but there is no legal or practical reason why the EA has to be involved.