Regarding estate agents - I think they are the human between you and the solicitor. If solicitors had more people skills then you wouldn't need estate agents to be involved because the solicitor would be calling everyone, keeping them updated. I bought 5 years ago and then just recently bought again - two completely different experiences. 5 years ago was shocking, bad communication, took 12 weeks - this was worsened because the estate agent kept stiriing it saying people were going to pull out (not helpful!); however recently I was done within 6 weeks and Sally-Ann at SAM Conveyancing kept talking to me throughout - the estate agent didn't need to do anything, in fact I only heard from them when they wanted the keys.

The day I think estate agents will be useful is when they are formally regulated, they are trained to an industry standard and what they say can be held to account!

Mellomumma. Thanks for your thoughts. This probably isn't the right thread to have a discussion re estate agents, but I don't think there's much more to say re Recipease so will keep this exchange going.

Here's an article from last year about selling without an estate agent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/money-saving-tips/9900988/The-online-estate-agents-that-charge-just-500.html

Regarding a chain, I think most estate agents contribute very little. What is important is to have a good and proactive conveyancing solicitor. Solicitors do themselves a real disservice in letting estate agents do all the marketing, take all of the credit and not competing on service.

I do agree with you thought that there are estate agents that do add value. I just think that they are a minority in the case of sale of market-typical family homes in suburban London.

Actually not sure I agree in regards to estate agents, we have just bought and sold a property in a chain of 4, and the complexities that have prevailed throughout this process was a real eye opener. This is our 3rd buy so we are not unfamiliar with the process. Our agents were the ones who kept it all together and saw through the difficult and some what ridiculous dealings in order for all sales to go through. Whilst I am sure there are many agents that would not have done this well, I believe there are agents which do really earn their commission and a great rep. Don't get me wrong I hate the amount that occupy our streets that we love, some not all deserve to be held in the same steed and I wish more of that select few that are around worthy of success should be the ones that stay.

The link by Gruffalo Dad is worth a read. It is from the Daily Mail so should be taken with some salt but...... But is that any way to treat your employees or customers? I've worked in the USA where "sorry pack your stuff, you're fired" is standard practice but I didn't realise you could do that over here. I'm obviously out of touch being self employed but wow that is pretty cruel.

Article about Recipease closure in today's newspaper here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2813846/Jamie-Oliver-shuts-failing-cookery-schools-Staff-customers-ordered-leave-middle-day.html

I will make one observation on estate agents - sooner or later a lot of their income is going to migrate to the internet. If you say a house is worth £1.2m at 1.5% commission that is £18,000. The work that an estate agent does isn't worth anything like that amount. Ten years ago, estate agents added value because they were the ones with the lists of prospective buyers - they were real middlemen/women. Now, for the middle market, everyone sees property on the portals. Similarly, ten years ago, an estate agent was needed to put together a professional brochure for the property. Now, a lot of them outsource the photography, floorplans, design, etc. to third parties, that you can also use directly.

I'm not saying that estate agents will vanish, but I think that there will be a move to cheaper fee-based services in the middle of the market, with those estate agents that hang on being the ones that really add value.

well, 10 is certainly not the limit in terms of how many real estate agents there can be within a one mile stretch of a road! i lost count on northcote, but actually would be fun to count one day.

there really ought to be a way to protest to council about opening more agents? lets hope it's the biscuiteers or else.

i've been dreaming of baby gap in northcoate road forever. might we get lucky? there was a post somewhere here about what businesses we want to see on the road.

[quote="StephA"]Is there any way we can enact an emergency law to prevent another bloody estate agency going in there?[/quote]

Hear hear StephA, I was really disappointed to hear the quirky second hand bookshop that closed near Sainsburys car park in Balham is destined to be an estate agency....such a great space in a good location....we have at least 10 in Balham already, do we really need another?

I hear that that Biscuiteers are opening up a new cafe/shop. Perhaps it will be based there :-)

Is there any way we can enact an emergency law to prevent another bloody estate agency going in there?

Super gutted recipease closed!!!!

I didn't realise The Breadstall did Chelsea Buns! I usually expend my entire lunch budget on one of their delicious baguettes ;-) I wasn't blown away by Gail's baked goods (except their prices), but admittedly I haven't been in there for years.

Notting Hill for a Chelsea Bun? What's wrong with Gail's or The Breadstall?

Gutted. Notting Hill is a flipping long way to go for a Chelsea Bun.

What a shame I also really liked Recipease. Great for foodie presents and lovely ready prepared meals, sandwiches etc... Really brightened up St Johns Road too. It's a big space I wonder what will take its place?

Big shame for me anyway. Jamie's Recipease has gone from St.John's Road. I liked that shop especially the coffee. Did a couple of the courses too. Ah well..........the death of diverse retail continues.......... :(