Estate Agents - What Do They Do?
We are in the process of moving house. In an attempt to make sure things go smoothly, I have spent nearly all day taking important bits of paper from one place to another.
Needless to say the traffic was bad, road works everywhere, everything and everyone seemed to be in a conspiracy against my getting anything done. Even the printer at my architects’ office refused to print out a document I needed. It has just been that kind of day.
One of my many calls was to my solicitors. Whilst going through the paperwork, the secretary could barely conceal her surprise at the amount I was being charged by my estate agent (1% of a £400k sale - with an additional £250 for an advert in the local paper. All plus VAT!).
On my way back home I had ample time to contemplate what it was my estate agent had done for the fortune I was paying them. My rapid and concise conclusion was they had not done ‘very much’ (the language I actually used was a little stronger). Suffice to say I nearly lost it, and almost smashed my fist through the dashboard in sheer upsetidness.
Forget winning the lottery or finding that you are the long lost child of an oil baron, become an estate agent. It is the easiest way to get a fortune whilst doing sod all.
Does that sound bitter?
Stewart