Estate Agents?

[yelenots]

I have my Mothers property up for sale with an estate agents (I have power of attorney) for approx 1 year now, and have not had any luck selling it. I now have a friend of a friend who maybe interested in buying it.
If i take it off the market now will I be able to sell it myself or is there a time limit or clause that estate agents have that will stop me selling it privately?
Thanks.

[bednobs]

it will depend entirely on you contract with the estate agents

[Buenchico]

This might be relevant:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/jul/15/property-selling-conveyancing-estate-agents

[Svejk]

I don't know about a set rule, but all that info will be on the contract you have with estate agent.

[yelenots]

Thanks for replying......think I will go and look for the contract!

[buildersmate]

Generally these contracts are for a minimum period (typically 8 weeks) then you can cancel by giving a modest amount of notice (perhaps 2 weeks).
Go and look what you signed up to and make no move regarding the possible interest until after the expiry of the notice period. The contract will invariably include a clause that makes the full commission payable if any eventual buyer is engaged during the contract period - even if the estate agent did not introduce that person.

[magsmay]

Your Contact will probably state that if you take the house off the market you will not be able to sell the property to anyone THE AGENT HAS INTRODUCED to the property within a set time. You can take the property off the market at any time after the minimum period -usually 3 months- though I took a property off the market after 4 weeks with an agent as they were rubbish, and although I was told by the agents i couldn't, there was really nothing they could do. So, as long as the friend has not contacted the agent with regard to your property you are quite within your rights to sell to that friend at any time

[yelenots]

Thanks for you replies. I have checked my contract with them....and just written a letter cancelling it :-)
It has been up for sale with the estate agent for 12 months and they haven't introduced the person who is interested in it, so everything is looking good - Fingers crossed anyway!