Article: Estate agents' fees rise as property slump hits home; CREDIT CRUNCH: Some estate agents have reacted to the falling number of house sales by increasing commission rates.

Byline: Kurt Bayer

ESTATE agents are increasing their fees in the latest blow to the struggling housing market.

The move follows a disastrous drop in their income.

A survey of estate agents across the country found many have responded to the slump in sales by raising their commission.

Tony Perriam, director of residential sales at Rettie & Co, which sells properties across the Central Belt, said: 'We do charge higher fees on average for new instructions.

'This is a reflection of the fact that fees are fewer in number, harder won and involve significantly more input over a longer period than was the case in the stronger market of the past ten years.

...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!