Choosing the right Estate Agent for you
Selling and buying a property can be a complex, time consuming activity. But should it really be like that? In my opinion no – that is if you have the right estate agent giving you the best possible advice of course.
For most of us buying a home is the most expensive purchase that we will ever make and therefore we need to ensure that it’s the right one and that there is someone on hand to guide and provide sound advice through this process. Any good estate agent should be well informed, have a sound understanding of the current trading climate and be interested in the motivation and need of his / her clients.
Choosing the right agent is also crucial to the successful sale of your property and you must not underestimate the role they will play in this.
So how do you ensure the estate agent that you choose is able to deliver the quality and expertise that you require?
One of the first things to ensure is that the agent you’re thinking of instructing is actually experienced in the market you’re targeting. There’s absolutely no point taking on an agent that sells predominantly big country piles if you’re looking to sell a two-bedroom flat in an urban area for example. So do your research and look for somebody that has a good track record of selling properties similar to yours – keeping an eye out for ‘For Sale’ and ‘Sold’ signs is always a good indicator of their presence in a particular area.
If they are selling properties like yours then they are likely to have a number of clients on their database who are also looking to buy properties like yours (and equally have access to the sort of properties you might want to buy) so it makes sense to put the two together. But don’t be afraid to check out the types of properties they are selling
in a bit more detail to make sure they are up to standard / the property particulars are presented well and descriptions actually match what’s being sold.
The images of your property in an estate agent’s window or on their website will be the first introduction to your home that a potential buyer gets so you need to make sure your chosen agent is presenting it in the best possible light.
A recommendation from a friend or family member is always good as you know it has come from somebody you can trust but also, trust your own instincts – do you feel comfortable with them? Does what they’re saying add up?
Again, having undertaken some of your own research will help here. Ensure that you are familiar with the local market and the sorts of prices properties are achieving / how long they’re generally taking to sell etc (particularly relevant in the current economic climate). At least then you’ll be able to judge for yourself whether or not they’re trying to pull the wool over your eyes – maybe with an inflated valuation of your property in order to initially get you on side for example.
It’s also worth checking out their professional status – ie, are they regulated. The main organisations to look out for are the Guild of Professional Estate Agents, the Ombudsmen for Estate Agents and the National Association of Estate Agents. Membership of any of these will at least ensure that a particular agent is adhering to a professional code of practice.
Look at how your potential agent is marketing themselves and their properties, using local media and other avenues. It will give a good indication of the way in which they’ll represent you if you do decide to take them on.
Finally, and perhaps this is an obvious one, but make sure the service they’re offering is exactly what you’re after. Do they provide out of office appointment times for valuations if normal working hours are inconvenient? If you’re buying, will they pick you up and take you to appointments? These are all things that you may require so don’t be afraid to ask beforehand it these are possible.
And do bear in mind the professionalism and enthusiasm of the team in general – if you’re impressed with them then potential buyers are likely to be and that bodes well for your sale!
Tags: hern & crabtree, nigel john
