Scare-mongering Estate Agents to benefit from HIPS
Written by David Roberts   
April 09, 2007
Apr 09, 2007 -- /prbuzz/ -- The current HIP legislation is wide open to abuse, as agents may advise their clients that they should consider putting their property on the market before June 1st safe in the knowledge that they have until the end of December to sell before a HIP is required.

David Roberts, a Chartered Surveyor and Director of tickeverybox.com says,
“If every homeowner adopted this thinking then the industry would grind to a halt after June 1st with no new instructions throughout the year. An agent survives on sales commission and this is achieved by winning new clients. By trying to convince sellers to market now, or potentially put them off selling at all, will only have a negative impact on the market for the rest of the year.”

It is already well known within the industry that referral fees for recommended firms are common practice between agents, lawyers, mortgage providers etc. With the news that as much as £100 commission per pack could be achieved by agents, and no clear requirement to disclose potential commission fees to the vendor, yet another murky picture is painted of the role agents play in the property industry. It comes as no surprise that more and more homeowners are seeking alternative ways to sell. With the private sales market now pushing through 10% of all sales, sellers can offset their potential up-front costs of a HIP by saving thousands in agents’ fees.

David added, “This continual scare-mongering is doing nothing for the industry’s image and only compounds the publics dwindling confidence in estate agents. The increase in numbers of private sales is clear proof that the public are reluctant to hand over huge fees to an industry that, as much as it tries, is not entirely transparent. Agents are trying to place themselves in a ‘no-lose’ scenario, whereby they gain increased number of instructions pre-June, and huge levels of commission post-June.”



For further information, please contact:
David Roberts on 07977 664659
or email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Tick Every Box Limited

About tickeverybox.com

Launched in January 2007, and founded by David Roberts BSc (Hons) MRICS, a Chartered Surveyor with many years experience in the property industry, and Lorna Phillips, a former estate agent and negotiator.

Tickeverybox.com is a free service that enables property sellers to search and contact genuine property buyers throughout the UK. It is totally independent and not affiliated to any agency, developer, homebuilder or other service provider.



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About the Press Release
More estate agents are employing ‘sell now to save pounds’ tactics designed to attract sellers before Home Information Packs become law on June 1st.


 
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