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23/09/2004
House buyers and sellers should shop around says TSS
The Trading Standards Service (TSS) is advising Northern Ireland’s house buyers and sellers to shop around for an estate agent following the publication of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) new guide to buying and selling a home.
The guide follows a recent OFT study into the estate agency market in England and Wales which found a high degree of dissatisfaction amongst customers about estate agents’ services.
More than nine out of 10 people buying and selling a home use an estate agent. The OFT’s ‘A quick guide to buying or selling your home’, encourages consumers to be aware of their rights and gives advice on what to look out for when using an estate agent.
David Livingstone, Head of Trading Standards, said: “Although the study of the estate agency market was carried out in England and Wales, the advice in the new guide is equally valid for Northern Ireland.
"Given the buoyancy in the Northern Ireland house market and the sharp increase in house prices, it is essential that sellers shop around and be prepared to negotiate with agents on their fees.”
The leaflet, ‘A quick guide to buying or selling your home’, is available by contacting Consumerline on 0845 600 6262, or on the OFT website www.oft.gov.uk.
The OFT interviewed 1000 buyers and 1000 sellers during the course of its market study with approximately 500 estate agents offices responding to a detailed questionnaire.
(MB/GMCG)
The guide follows a recent OFT study into the estate agency market in England and Wales which found a high degree of dissatisfaction amongst customers about estate agents’ services.
More than nine out of 10 people buying and selling a home use an estate agent. The OFT’s ‘A quick guide to buying or selling your home’, encourages consumers to be aware of their rights and gives advice on what to look out for when using an estate agent.
David Livingstone, Head of Trading Standards, said: “Although the study of the estate agency market was carried out in England and Wales, the advice in the new guide is equally valid for Northern Ireland.
"Given the buoyancy in the Northern Ireland house market and the sharp increase in house prices, it is essential that sellers shop around and be prepared to negotiate with agents on their fees.”
The leaflet, ‘A quick guide to buying or selling your home’, is available by contacting Consumerline on 0845 600 6262, or on the OFT website www.oft.gov.uk.
The OFT interviewed 1000 buyers and 1000 sellers during the course of its market study with approximately 500 estate agents offices responding to a detailed questionnaire.
(MB/GMCG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
