Any Estate Agents out there?

When we sold my first flat it went to a colleague of my husband's after he put up an ad on a notice board at work. Unfortunately the colleague came round unannounced and we were out so she contacted the EA to make an appointment. We told the agent that we had found our own buyer and they agreed to reduce the commission % even though they'd been involved. Seemed pretty fair at the time.

When my mother died I sold her commercial properties and home (flat above them) privately to the chap next door. I knew he wanted to redevelop the area and would be interested so I asked if he wanted to take it on, and he assured me he would and keep all the tenants as well since redevelopment was a long way off financially for him. All legal and done through solicitors but he made and accepted. Saved myself both commission from the auctioneers and the advertising package that came with their 'service' which ran into thousands ... job done.

If you are going to go ahead with neighbours offer I would take the house off the market with present ea just to cover yourself.

We did this back in 2011. Had house on with an agent, no offers, then months later a note through the door from a couple who'd viewed months earlier! Out of agent time limit so went ahead quite smoothly. Solicitor delighted we'd got one over on the estate agent! Out of courtesy we did inform them (agent) but they weren't interested. So I'd go ahead, and use good solicitor.

Make sure that you've sent a letter to your estate agent cancelling your contract with them. I believe you have to wait several weeks for that to take effect.

Lots of great advice already. Just one additional thought - make sure that the neighbour didn't know you were selling through seeing the For Sale sign (not sure if that constitutes an Introduction?) If it was me, I would come up with an alternative way that they found out (as neighbours, should be do-able).