Central Bedfordshire Council, Property Sales Service

Descriptions

Central Bedfordshire Council is planning to increase the number of property disposals as part of a strategic approach to modernising the property portfolio through reinvestment in more modern, warmer and energy efficient homes. The Housing Service requires a professional 'Estate Agency' service to help sell the required properties. The plan is to dispose of between 30 to 60 properties each year, although this could increase. To demonstrate the potential value of the contract, a typical cost of 1% of the sales price, with an average of £250,000/property, results in fees of £2,500. For 30 disposals, the total value is £75,000. We require the complete services of an estate agent to sell Council owned domestic properties. The service should include the following: • Valuation - we require the property to be visited within three working days of request, for a valuation of the property and an explanation of how the valuation was arrived at, including a best price guide. The valuation and other appropriate advice concerning the proposed sale, must be in writing to enable the Council to consider the sales approach. The visit will normally be accompanied with a Council Officer but may be unaccompanied using a key safe. • Instruction - where the valuation is agreed/approved, the sale of the property will be confirmed through instruction. • Selling - once instructed, we require the property to be advertised online via Rightmove, Zoopla, and everywhere else buyers look. We require that you host viewings on behalf of the Council, and that you always act professionally on behalf of the Council. We require you to take and consider offers made, putting offers to the Council along with advice and/or recommendations concerning the offer. Where appropriate, you should negotiate the best price (all with our approval). Please confirm your fee basis, i.e. whether you charge a percentage of the agreed sale price and if so, what percentage you charge. Alternatively, please confirm whether you charge a fixed fee for a completed property sale, and what that fee would be.