Ellesmere Port, Little Sutton
If you're considering using Clive Watkin Sales and Letting Agents in the area, I would strongly advise caution. In my experience, their approach to selling houses in the local market left much to be desired.
In my view, they tend to overvalue and overprice properties. For instance, they valued a house based on a neighboring property, which is widely regarded in the area as being overpriced. That neighboring house has been on the market for nearly two years without selling, and it happens to be owned by another estate agent. When I inquired if Clive Watkin had obtained a RICS valuation, they were unable to provide one and responded negatively when I questioned their valuation.
When I placed an offer on a different property, the agents seemed defensive and insisted on knowing how I arrived at my valuation. This pattern occurred with multiple properties I considered through them. I also got the impression that they were providing information about the sellers and the market that may not have been entirely accurate, creating a sense of urgency that didn't align with the actual market conditions.
I felt they misrepresented critical details about properties, such as rights of access. For example, they claimed a house with a shared driveway was private, which they said justified an additional £100,000 on the price. However, after reviewing the deeds myself, I found that the driveway was not private, and only a right of access was granted, not ownership.
In another situation, I felt pressured to take financial advice from their in-house mortgage broker to prove I could afford a house. It seemed like they were trying to gather details about my private finances while pushing financial products onto me. This was particularly concerning since the estate agents themselves are not qualified financial professionals.
I also encountered an agent trying to sell a house at £100,000 over what I believed to be the market value, citing a "fridge freezer" as a unique feature. In reality, the house required a complete renovation. Other agents I spoke with in the area confirmed that Clive Watkin’s listings are overpriced by a significant margin.
After placing an offer on a property and expressing my willingness to negotiate, I never heard back from the agent. Interestingly, that house was later reduced by £30,000 on Rightmove. It made me wonder whether my offer was ever communicated to the seller.
If you place a lower offer, don’t expect them to reach out—they might even label you as rude for explaining your reasoning. I’ve observed them listing properties at high prices, even when the houses need significant work. Some properties have remained unsold for nearly 12 months and have seen price reductions of over £40,000.
If you prefer to list your house at a high price in a challenging market, Clive Watkin might be an option. Otherwise, I recommend considering an estate agent with more experience and transparency.
1 July 2024
Unprompted review