14th Feb 2024 (9 weeks ago)
I had Birdhouse out to value my property to sell on the open market. Derek arrived and was friendly and did have a number of critical issues with the house, which we took on board and were happy to address.
He visited me before 10am and told me that the house was 'Quirky' and he would pop back to their home office and call me with a price. He would have to think on it.
12noon came, 2pm came, 4pm came and then 6pm came and eventually at 6.30pm, I phoned to chase him up and he, in turn phoned me back at 8pm with a frank discussion about the house and said that this house in the street I am in would sell for £365,000 to £375,000 with a view to selling at £365,000. My house had undergone a number of renovations and my personal idea of £400,000 didn't run smoothly with him.
I did find his approach to be unprofessional as I don't expect to have to wait and wait all day and then chase a valuation, to be made to feel like I was being a bother. I am paying them for a service .... they're not doing me a favour and so I went with another agency to test the water and accepted an offer which did sadly fall though. I changed agency and sold to the first viewing on the first day and this offer was £20,000 over what Derek expected to achieve for the house.
Derek wasn't unpleasant, far from it but with valuing houses, showing people around homes (they don't allow you to show your own home) and all the admin, I felt like there was a priority pecking order with vendors and buyers each day. They seem to be running around all over the place, trying to please everyone.
When valuing our house and wanting to put it on at a max of £375,000 he really was undervaluing our house, as we achieved more than that in a troublesome financial market.
This is an honest appraisal, now that we've moved... Read more