Choosing your Estate agent
Ready to sell your house and choose your estate agent but unsure where to start.
Here are our top tips for choosing the right agent.
Reputation and Experience
Look for estate agents with a strong reputation and a proven track record in the local market. Research their background, read reviews, and even better, ask for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have had positive experiences with estate agents in your area. An experienced agent is likely to have extensive knowledge of the local property market and can provide valuable insights.
Local Market Knowledge
Ensure that the estate agent has in-depth knowledge of the local area where you are buying or selling. They should be familiar with recent property sales, market trends, and pricing in the neighbourhood. A well-informed estate agent can provide accurate valuations, realistic expectations, and effective marketing strategies.
Services and Specialisation
Consider the specific services and specialisation of the estate agent. Some agents may focus on residential properties, while others may specialise in commercial properties or specific types of residential properties, such as rural estates, flats and apartments, listed buildings. Choose an agent who has expertise in selling houses just like yours.
Marketing and Advertising
Ask what the agent's marketing and advertising strategies are. A proactive agent will employ various channels to promote your property if you're selling, such as online listings, professional photography, virtual tours, social media promotion, and traditional print advertising. An agent with access to a wide range of properties and effective search tools can help your buyer find your home.
Fees and Contracts
Understand the fees and commission structure of the estate agent before committing to their services. Agents typically charge a percentage of the property's sale price as commission. Compare the fees and services offered by different agents to ensure you are getting value for your money. Additionally, carefully review the terms and duration of the agency contract before signing.
Communication and Professionalism: Evaluate the communication skills and professionalism of the estate agent. They should be responsive, proactive, and able to effectively negotiate and communicate on your behalf. A good agent will keep you updated throughout the process and provide clear explanations of any complexities involved.
Regulatory Compliance
Verify that the estate agent is a member of a professional regulatory body such as the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), or The Property Ombudsman (TPO). These organisations set standards and codes of practice that their members must adhere to, providing an additional layer of consumer protection.
Consider Online Agents
Online agents are becoming a popular choice for those selling their property as they seemingly offer a cheaper and more efficient service. All of the marketing will be driven online and typically a fixed fee for the service is provided, potentially saving you thousands of £s. However, be aware that Purple Bricks – the once market leaders in this area, have been forced to sell their business due to financial pressure. New agencies like Yopa, and Sold.co.uk., but it's worth doing your research on these companies before deciding cheaper is better.
Read our Blog on Estate Agent fees to understand what you should expect to pay.