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Lack of communication hinders property sales

Tuesday, 4 March 2008 12:00 AM

Lack of regular updates and insufficient levels of communication have topped a list of gripes property sellers have with their estate agents.

Composed by Norwich Union building society, following a poll of 1,000 property owners, the research finds communication from estate agents and not receiving regular progress updates were the main bugbears for 53 per cent of sellers.

Other popular concerns include the fear of limited marketing by being restricted to one agent (46 per cent) and being unsure of whether an agent's valuation is fair or simply intended for a quick sale (44 per cent).

"People are particularly concerned about the prospect of using an estate agent to help sell their property, either because they are unsure about who to use, uncertain of their selling capabilities or confused about what's included in the estate agency package," said Anthony Rafferty, head of marketing for Norwich Union.

According to Norwich Union, some 900,000 homeowners fail to sell their property after placing it on the market each year.

Further, National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) research also shows it took an average of 21 weeks to sell a property in January.

As a result it is understandable why some people might get stressed at the prospect of moving, according to Mr Rafferty.

The survey also investigated general worries regarding relocating. The top ten niggles were revealed as:

1. Fear of deal falling through at the last minute.
2. Being in a chain and having to wait for others to sell/move.
3. Paperwork involved e.g. HIPS, estate agent/solicitor forms etc.
4. General slowness of moving process.
5. Overall stress of moving house.
6. Not being kept up-to-date by solicitors/estate agents etc.
7. Time-wasters viewing current home.
8. Packing/physically moving house contents.
9. Emotional ties of moving home.
10. Keeping home clean and tidy for viewings.

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