![]() CHANGING ESTATE AGENTS SELLING YOUR HOUSE HOW TO GET A NEW AGENT This article deals with the steps you should take to sort out out any problems you may have with your estate agent, during the period of sale. If you cannot resolve these problems, we list the process needed to change to another estate agent. With the best will in the world, you may have unrealistic expectations of the true value of your house, especially if nearby properties have sold for good prices, but part of the job of an estate agent is to price the property realistically, in order for it to sell, and this price may be considerably below your expectations. | ![]() |
You should remember that although your house may have become a special place for you and your family, your estate agent has far more experience in selling what, to them, is simply a commodity, (which actually is the correct way of selling, with as little emotional involvement as possible). If a problem arises, first try to clearly state, in writing preferably, exactly what the issue is and what you feel the estate agent has done to annoy you, or potentially cost you money. For example, did you hear of an offer having been made by someone for your property that you feel the estate agent either rejected, did not take seriously, or failed to follow up? Do you feel that your estate agent is not giving proper attention to selling your house or apartment, preferring to spend his/her time concentrating on featuring higher priced properties instead, in some cases properties that may be located quite close to your own house or apartment? Possibly a casual passerby has seen that your house is for sale and called directly to you with an offer that you consider accepable or at least negotable, but which the agent has either turned down or simply ignored. Keeping in regular contact with your agent, even if you have left Ireland, or moved to another part of the country for a period of time, is obviously important to maintain the viewing and subsequent sales momentum you would like to see happen. If you are not happy with the estate agent's answers to your questions, and you still feel you need to change your agent, the basis for this is the Letter of Engagement, the contents of which are set forth by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PRSA), that both the estate agent and you as the seller, each signed at the time you gave formal instructions to the agent to act as your representative in the sale of the property. This letter lists:
Any marketing costs incurred by the estate agent must be settled before the agency is formally terminated. In the past, during the years leading up to the last property boom, many estate agents were inclined not to push the seller on this aspect, but costly lessons were learned by many estate agents and you may well have already paid some of the marketing cost upfront, at the start of the agreement. After this process is complete, you will then be free to seek the services of another estate agent or auctioneer. ![]() |