It varies a lot depending on location - 1% is really low for a London agent, but assuming from your username your based in Portsmouth? I've no idea the going rate there to be honest. A large agent in London will change anywhere from 1-3% Some small independents do sometimes offer fees under 1%.

If he can't even commit to a fee without knowing the competition first, I'd suggest he's not a very good agent - all agents have standard fees, and if there's is higher than the competition, they should be able to justify why.

Ultimately, they have to tell you their fee if they want any chance of winning your business - I wouldn't chase them on this; any decent agent should be chasing you.

Edited by EverybodyDannsNow (28 Feb 2018 2.42pm)

In The US agents charge more but really work to sale your place, over here I don't think they do enough.

Internet estate agents like Purple Bricks will charge about £1,0000 flat fee so that can save you 4-5k. The downside is that it is an upfront fee regardless of sale. They do all the same stuff as a high street agents just charge you cheaper regardless of sale.

If you live in a popular area why pay an estate agent 1.5% to put a photo on the internet. If you are not sure look around your area and see how easily they go. Most of the time buyers use general search sites so they don't care if it is a high street or an internet agent.

If you are in an area that doesn't sale then you should go with a traditional agent preferably a local one. I would ask them to arrange viewing days get as many buyers to view on the same day. You can then lay out the coffee flowers and fresh bread smell.

One more point

Thanks for the replies. I live in Southsea close to the common and the sea front. We also have our own parking space which is like gold dust here so we are optimistic of getting a quick sale. The guy who came this morning did suggest as Badger11 said, getting a load of people round on the same day which we definitely like the sound of.

Would definitely recommend an 'open day' as it places pressure on the purchasers who will try to beat the ones that have just left...(or coming in as they go out) to the punch. It also means you only need to have the house spick and span for a day!

The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

Sold last year in Orpington. 0.95% Was his first offer. Wouldn't move from that but was lower than we had expected to get anyway. I think just stand your ground. They all want your business.

0.75% plus vat we paid and the agents were great.
check whether your 1% is plus vat or inc.
foxtons charge 3% and are a real bitch to get rid of after their 3 months is up.

Kids,tired of being bothered by your pesky parents?
Then leave home, get a job & pay your own bills, while you still know everything.