Do you think is funny that estate agents are

bobbiw

still writing the nonsensical advertisements for their properties on myhome.

I know its their jobs but you would think they would be more original.

This property would suit the astute investor! etc. Even the dumbest of "investors" reaslise that Ireland is done as investment properties go.

If your investment is worth 300k currently whats the point in keeping it. Yeah you rent it out for 25 years and what its work 150 then.

Duckjob

My favorite is when they try to pressure people to buy through the ad with "PRICE REDUCED FOR AN IMMEDIATE SALE", especially when you can see from PropertyBee it's been sitting there at a stupid price for 6 mths

@ the EAs: The games up lads, the market will decide whether a property is priced for an immediate sale, not you. Your days of whipping up frenzy and panic in people to buy are thankfully over, so give it a rest.

I don't even read their text when I look at properties. I look at the location, the size, what the property looks like from photos and the price. The EA guff can safely be written off as meaningless waffle.

EKRIUQ

The market always decided the price, they should'ent be trying to get the highest price for the seller but try to sell it for the lowest price to the buyer.

Evertonia

EKRIUQ wrote: »

The market always decided the price, they should'ent be trying to get the highest price for the seller but try to sell it for the lowest price to the buyer.

I'm no fan of estate agents, but of course they should be trying to get the highest price for the seller. It is the seller who is paying them for their services!

Gurgle

EKRIUQ wrote: »

they should'ent be trying to get the highest price for the seller but try to sell it for the lowest price to the buyer.

Its only after 9am, but I think this will make it through as the dumbest thing I hear all day.

tesslab

regardless they're ust going to try make their comission any way possible. They're now putting the fear of God into people who are selling their houses by telling them "I sold a house around the corner from here last week for 100k less your asking price (This is from actual experience!) Take any offer cos its gonna be left sitting there til next year and will be worth even less then"
I just love the term "in this ever popular estate" Usually advertised in the dodgy kips you'd lock your doors driving through!!!!:P

red dave

EKRIUQ wrote: »

The market always decided the price, they should'ent be trying to get the highest price for the seller but try to sell it for the lowest price to the buyer.

Do you mean that buyers should be approaching EA's and then thse EA's act on their behalf and negotiate with other EA's to get the lowest price?

Duckjob

I could be wrong but I think EKIRIUQs comment was a typo of some sort.

EKRIUQ

Duckjob wrote: »

I could be wrong but I think EKIRIUQs comment was a typo of some sort.

Nope, no typo,


Why is everyone defending estate agents, thats not the way things are around here

Duckjob

EKRIUQ wrote: »

Nope, no typo,


Why is everyone defending estate agents, thats not the way things are around here

Well for one I'm not defending them. I consider them one of the parasitic elements that fueled the mess we are in today.

The EAs loyalty lies always with the seller, and that is how it should be. My beef with them is doing the cozy "I'm your bezzy mate" routine wits h buyers at the same time. I'd have slightly more respect for them if they declared their self interest and which of the 2 opposing sides they sit on. They simply cannot represent both sides best interests at the same time.

bangersandmash

Duckjob wrote: »

The EAs loyalty lies always with the seller, and that is how it should be. My beef with them is doing the cozy "I'm your bezzy mate" routine wits h buyers at the same time. I'd have slightly more respect for them if they declared their self interest and which of the 2 opposing sides they sit on. They simply cannot represent both sides best interests at the same time.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that either. It's a sales job. So they may be representing the seller. But really it's not about the seller, and it's definitely not about the buyer - it's about the commission. Loyalty doesn't come into it.

What amazes me is that some people believed (and still believe) that agents are somehow impartial third parties. So as for exaggerated Myhome descriptions, does anyone actually believe those adverts? As long as it's not entirely incorrect (3 bed called a 5 bed, semi-d called detached) then it's just par for the course really.

Gurgle

Duckjob wrote: »

Well for one I'm not defending them. I consider them one of the parasitic elements that fueled the mess we are in today.

Couldn't agree more.

The EAs loyalty lies always with the seller, and that is how it should be.

That is how it should be, but unfortunately not.

Their loyalty lies with their own interests - I can make €3k commission with a little work or €3.5k with a lot of work. Thats €50k in the difference for the seller but is it worth my effort for €500?

Also, consider that 80%+ of estate agents have only ever worked in the boom times.

They have no idea how a normal property market works - leading to a ridiculous situation where they massively overprice to start with, then start hacking lumps off every few weeks until the house sells.

Are they getting the best price for the seller this way? I very much doubt it.
But their own pockets stay full, and thats all that matters.

bobbiw

I delt with them for years and really its a low skill job. Especialy during the boom years, they didnt have to do anything just show up and open a door. It must have been a nice line to be in.

They dont get much around 1% of the purchase price, in the US its closer to 6%. So you sell a 1m home you get 60k.

I just find it funny when you read the adds, they must be squirming now.

Best bet for them is to lower the price rather than have it at an inflated rate. You can look at one estate on Myhome and the same home is 250 275, 310, you think they would check to see what things are up for.

TwoShedsJackson

bobbiw wrote: »

If your investment is worth 300k currently whats the point in keeping it. Yeah you rent it out for 25 years and what its work 150 then.

So now we're assuming prices are going to go down for ever, are we?

EKRIUQ

bobbiw wrote: »

I delt with them for years and really its a low skill job. Especialy during the boom years, they didnt have to do anything just show up and open a door.

Why don't more people sell their own houses then?, The only thing to it seems to be is a sign outside and a couple of viewings! Save your self a packet and you can price it at the right price, not an over the market value and no need for some fancy over the top description of your house, just a few lines and to the point.

Male30something

I'm suprised at how poor the Estate Agents are at selling. The ads on MyHome.ie and Daft.ie are really poor. They're selling a commodity worth hundreds of thousands, and half they time they stick one or two poor photo's and a bland rehashd description.

Where's the cut throat competition, "going the extra mile" to get a sale, making the property look it's best?

I ask loads of questions, but generally get half arsed replies. One guy just stood in th sitting room, said nothing as I walked around the house.

I wonder do any of them read discussion forums like these?

bobbiw

In the US they are much better they take care of everything. They are like a lawyer, accountant, financial advisor and therapist all in one.

But they are getting 3-6% and they really work for you. I had one that even rented a truck and moved my furniture for me and also ensured that all the smoke detectors had batteries and they did the snag list.

nadin278

Is that what you people think? Low skilled job?!

How about:

being on your feet most of the day, trying to sell YOUR houses, or rent your apartments? Do you finish your work day at 5pm, and then home with your hubbie or wifie, and children?! Happy days.

Estate Agents are home not before 9 in many cases, and dont see their families.

Coming up with a new way of advertising YOUR properties, so it would sell or rent, specially when some people still live in 2006 year fantazy, rather then in present, and think that their houses are worth the price of 2006?

Doing up a brochure for a house is not a low skill job, if you dont like the brochure dont read it. As one lady said here, she just looks at the pictures, location and size. Fair enough.

Estate Agent is a profession, same as mortgage broker, insurance broker, and not everyone can pull it off, because this job is not for lazy laid back person.

bobbiw

nadin278 wrote: »

Is that what you people think? Low skilled job?!

How about:

being on your feet most of the day, trying to sell YOUR houses, or rent your apartments? Do you finish your work day at 5pm, and then home with your hubbie or wifie, and children?! Happy days.

Estate Agents are home not before 9 in many cases, and dont see their families.

Coming up with a new way of advertising YOUR properties, so it would sell or rent, specially when some people still live in 2006 year fantazy, rather then in present, and think that their houses are worth the price of 2006?

Doing up a brochure for a house is not a low skill job, if you dont like the brochure dont read it. As one lady said here, she just looks at the pictures, location and size. Fair enough.

Estate Agent is a profession, same as mortgage broker, insurance broker, and not everyone can pull it off, because this job is not for lazy laid back person.

It is what I think, its also what I know. I am not saying that it is not a tireing job, sure it must be, and I am not saying that its not a frustrating job I am sure it is

What I am saying is that you dont need a lot of skill to put up a sign and answer the phone and coordinate meeting someone at a location.

As for getting home at 9pm big deal, this is life, people have to work different hours.

In the boom estate agents were able to milk it just like recruitment consultants for IT were able to pre Y2K. Now they will have to deal with a different enviroment.

i have nothing against them but I seriously dont think it takes a lot to do. Yes it might be tireing but so are a lot of low skilled positions.

EKRIUQ

nadin278 wrote: »

Is that what you people think? Low skilled job?!

How about:

being on your feet most of the day, trying to sell YOUR houses, or rent your apartments? Do you finish your work day at 5pm, and then home with your hubbie or wifie, and children?! Happy days.

Estate Agents are home not before 9 in many cases, and dont see their families.

Coming up with a new way of advertising YOUR properties, so it would sell or rent, specially when some people still live in 2006 year fantazy, rather then in present, and think that their houses are worth the price of 2006?

Doing up a brochure for a house is not a low skill job, if you dont like the brochure dont read it. As one lady said here, she just looks at the pictures, location and size. Fair enough.

Estate Agent is a profession, same as mortgage broker, insurance broker, and not everyone can pull it off, because this job is not for lazy laid back person.

Sorry but your in the wrong place, the perception here is that just drive from house to house and Mmmm, that's about it. And you also rob buyers of all there money because it's the estate agent who put the huge price and its because of the no skill estate agent that made people buy all those overpriced properties.

Come on people, there hasn't been enough slagging of estate agents yet.

Here's a link from the bottom of the page in 2004
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=164557

bangersandmash

EKRIUQ wrote: »

Come on people, there hasn't been enough slagging of estate agents yet.

Here's a link from the bottom of the page in 2004
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=164557

There's no excusing the ignorance displayed by the OP in that thread. While I have had some unpleasant experiences with estate agents in the last decade, I'm still surprised that potential buyers feel shocked that agents don't have their best interests at heart. It's a sales job, they're trying to maximise their commission. That's the job description. Occasionally a large estate agency will produce an advertorial that purports to tell buyers that now is the time to buy, but anyone who believes that probably also believes that Special K will make them slim.

Next up: Shock as casino owner admits he hoped to make a profit at gambler's expense.

Freddie59

nadin278 wrote: »

Estate Agent is a profession, same as mortgage broker, insurance broker, and not everyone can pull it off, because this job is not for lazy laid back person.

No it's NOT a profession. End of story. They're no different to someone working in a retail outlet. Would you call THEIR jobs a profession as well? Indeed the whole 'profession' thing is BS of the highest order anyway. Merely an excuse to screw money out of people. How else do hospital consultants, etc get away with charging, in some cases, €200 for a ten-minute visit? As I said, BS of the highest order.

EKRIUQ

Freddie59 wrote: »

No it's NOT a profession. End of story. They're no different to someone working in a retail outlet. Would you call THEIR jobs a profession as well? Indeed the whole 'profession' thing is BS of the highest order anyway. Merely an excuse to screw money out of people. How else do hospital consultants, etc get away with charging, in some cases, €200 for a ten-minute visit? As I said, BS of the highest order.

The term profession is applied to those persons who have specialized and technical skill or knowledge which they apply, for a fee, to certain tasks that ordinary and unqualified people cannot ordinarily undertake.

Sounds like a profession to me providing they have a qualification:rolleyes:

bobbiw

the last time I looked I didnt see any 4 year degrees for becoming an estate agent.

You dont need any qualifications, the industry does has some courses though but they take about 2 weeks and ar basicly how to walk through a house, nail up a sign, shake hands with people etc.

I think you can do it at FAS

melbourne

Where to begin, during the boom time these guys made seriously handy money. All they had to do was show up and open the door as mentioned already. How many are fully qualified? How many really know what they are doing, sure they make up a brochure but that's hardly rocket science now is it. I have been waiting to cash in on the current drop in house prices for quite a while and I'll continue to wait. I have been viewing on average two to three houses per month and the arrogance of Estate Agents gets me every time. I went to see a place 2 months ago and before I put my foot inside the door I was told by the estate agent (who had parked his shiny Audi A4 in the driveway so the potential buyer could park around the corner) that an offer of the asking price had been made and I had till tomorrow to match it if I wanted the house, needless to say I just left him on the door, who do these jokers think they are fooling. They might actually have to do a bit of work now(if you call opening up houses, making brochers and answering the phone work). The easy money that they carved off the normal man and woman on the street is gone and its about time.

bobbiw

If you want a house do what is happening in the US in most cities.

You see a house you like, you arrange to see it, you tell them you will get back to them. Offer what you want. Low ball them.

The house is 450 offer them 350, also get a couple of friends to do the same on the house you want.

So your buddy offer 295, another person 330 and you swoop in at 350.

Make sure you are loan approved at that point and give all the details to the fool of an estate agent to show you are serious.

In Ireland they rarely check this which is why many sales dont go through.

EKRIUQ

What about Auctioneers are they as bad?

Freddie59

EKRIUQ wrote: »

for a fee

The three crucial words. Like the rest of them - BS merchants.:rolleyes::D

Have to laugh at the 'ordinary and unqualified' bit though. These lads really have lost the run of themselves in the past ten years - no doubt about it!!

SoupyNorman

Christ I hate EA's, It is in no way a skilled job...houses sold themselves over the last ten years and now when they have to exert some 'effort' they lay down and die. Oh well, sure the same people who've lost their job in property now will excel working in a telesales position selling double glazing, roof tile sealant or hammocks to OAP's.

nadin278

bobbiw wrote: »

It is what I think, its also what I know. I am not saying that it is not a tireing job, sure it must be, and I am not saying that its not a frustrating job I am sure it is

What I am saying is that you dont need a lot of skill to put up a sign and answer the phone and coordinate meeting someone at a location.

As for getting home at 9pm big deal, this is life, people have to work different hours.

In the boom estate agents were able to milk it just like recruitment consultants for IT were able to pre Y2K. Now they will have to deal with a different enviroment.

i have nothing against them but I seriously dont think it takes a lot to do. Yes it might be tireing but so are a lot of low skilled positions.

No, you are right it does not take much to put up a sign, and coordinate meetings. But estate agents job is not only that - it is also negotiating the price, with both seller and buyer, and believe me, not everyone has a backbone to do that. Also not everyone can sell.

In fact i agree with you even more, that it does not take much, and many skills to enter the business, specially when its booming, but like everywhere else...

And i tell you something, people who were working in this business during boom years, made lots of money for not too much effort, but now it is the whole different story.

That's why you read in newspapers that loads of estate agents are closing down, and loadts of the are out of jobs now...

Why do you think?

Because those were people, who thought it is a very easy job, and easy money, and now when you actually have to work, really hard, they cant do it. They gave up.

so, please dont tell me, that this job is a low skilled job. You have to have whole bunch of skills to survive in the business, and downturn is the acutal factor, that shows who is the strongest.

Estate Agents job is to sell at the best price, and act in the best interest for theis clients.

And it is not a low skilled job, otherwise there would not be a professional bodies like IPAV, and IAVI.

Senna

EKRIUQ wrote: »

What about Auctioneers are they as bad?

Which/were you? an auctioneer or an EA?