Our dilemma

Congratulations, Pebbles!  And best of luck with the whole process to come, as well as the move itself!   

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of fees did the estate agent ask for to sell the house?  I've heard 1-2% is fairly normal but not sure how spot on that is?
If I were selling it'd almost make me want to do a vendor sale!  Has anyone sold their house without an estate agent?

A big congrats Pebbles!!!   

Matt, I just got two quotes from EA's. The EA that we used to buy the house quoted us 1%, I also had another come around and he quoted 1.25% and when I asked if it was negotiable he said "anything is negotiable". I didn't follow up with him about that because I want to go with the guy I used to buy. The reason why is while he was a "typical" EA, I liked the fact that even when I made him very frustrated (because the sellers were pulling one on us), he was great with communication and I really liked that.

As for cutting out the middle man, I think that there are websites out there that can be used to do a vendor sale but I haven't checked into it. It could be a good option.

yay pebbles! congrats!

Congratulations Pebbles! What a relief! That investor guy didn't seem like he deserved your house full of memories.

WooHoo Pebs!

Congratulations Pebbles! What a relief! That investor guy didn't seem like he deserved your house full of memories.

Well it's not over yet. The investor still wants the house and everytime the first time buyers up their offer he matches it. It's shocking actually. We've had very little interest for the past 3 months and now we're finally in a nice position. Both parties are going to a see a mortgage advisor today. We still dont know the final offer but the battle continues.
So now it's less about who will reside in our lovely family home full of memories but who's
gonna fork out more money! 


MATT: We're paying 2% to the estate agent for fees! It's ridiculous as they haven't really done much for us. We've had very few viewings and little contact with our estate agent. We've had much more contact from other estate agents trying to find a house for us! If you can manage to do it yourself the do it!!

Congrats & good luck, Pebbles! 

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of fees did the estate agent ask for to sell the house?  I've heard 1-2% is fairly normal but not sure how spot on that is?
If I were selling it'd almost make me want to do a vendor sale!  Has anyone sold their house without an estate agent?

Our estate agent is charging 3/4 of a percent and the valuator gave me a card for 10% off fees. I am not sure if that means the market is really, really hot, or really, really bad.

In the ROI 1% is normal but one of the major firms (Sherry Fitzgerald) has just upped their fees to 1.5% (which has people thinking is a sign that the market is crashing) and caused a bit of a hoo-haa by doing so.

Well it's not over yet. The investor still wants the house and everytime the first time buyers up their offer he matches it. It's shocking actually. We've had very little interest for the past 3 months and now we're finally in a nice position. Both parties are going to a see a mortgage advisor today. We still dont know the final offer but the battle continues.
So now it's less about who will reside in our lovely family home full of memories but who's
gonna fork out more money! 

I'd be inclined to go against the investor even if he/she gives the higher offer.  It seems to me first time buyers looking to move in will more likely stick with the deal if things drag out or there is a snag whereas the investor would be more likely to pull out.

Besides, it's better Karma!

Besides, it's better Karma!

I agree. Both parties are frozen at the same offer. We decided to go with the couple. 

Great news! Congrats to you, I hope it all goes quickly and you get into your new place very soon 

Congrats! 

Congrats!  Great news! 

Thanks everyone. We did our mortgage paperwork, insurance and paid for our surveyor yesterday so the ball is really moving now!

How exciting!! Congratulations!