Choosing an estate agent, are they all the same?

Once you’ve decided to put your house on the market, next comes a pretty big decision, one that can really impact on not only your chances of a sale but also your experience of the whole sale process. So how do you go about choosing the best estate agent for you?

High valuations or lowest fees charged should never be used as a basis for selecting the agent you instruct to see your largest asset. Follow our tips below to ensure you select the best fit for you!

Anyone can give a high valuation, but obtaining that price is another matter. Ask yourself if the figure quoted is based on experience and knowledge of the area or are you being told what the agent thinks you want to hear? You should be given comparisons as standard by a good agent. If not, ask for them!

Never base your decision on fees alone. Paying a low fee can be false economy. Your agent should display enthusiasm to sell your property and be someone you feel comfortable with and trust to work with you throughout the selling process. If fees then happen to be lower than other agents, it’s a win/win situation!

Buyers work, just as you do so having your agent available after traditional working hours and at weekends is crucial to get maximum activity from buyers. Your agent needs to be able to react quickly to viewing request and accommodate viewings in the evenings and at weekends. The same goes for phone calls. If you can’t get through, neither can your potential buyers.

Estate agency isn’t all about sales. A huge element of the job is about people. Does your agent show an interest in you and what your plans are? They should! Part of their role is to help you make the next move and they need to understand what you want from the transaction of selling your property and what you want to be able to do once it completes so if they don’t show an interest, maybe they aren’t the best agent for you.

A good estate agent will have experience, display enthusiasm and have knowledge of the market. Some estate agents will employ different staff to value properties and other staff will sell and progress your sale. Don’t get caught out – make sure the person you meet first and instruct is available throughout the process. You should feel comfortable with them, have a good rapport with them and feel they are someone you are happy to work with and trust to work for you.

Spend time making your decision. It’s important to get it right when it comes to something as important as selling your property.