How To Spot The Good From The Bad: Estate Agents

Estate agents can help you sell your property on the market. With their expert knowledge they can ensure that you get the right price and reach the right prospective buyers. However not all estate agents are there to benefit you, similarly some may not have the experience and expertise that they claim to have. This illustrates why it is important to do your research and choose a good estate agent who will treat you fairly and work hard on your behalf to complete a sale.

What will a good estate agent do?

A good estate agent will advertise your house or flat through a range of mediums in order to find prospective buyers. This will include local magazines and newspapers, sale boards in the local area and online through both their own website and wider search property websites.

A good estate agent will make sure they keep in mind the requirements of each buyer interested. This enables the agent to match up buyers with suitable houses and makes sure that your time isn’t wasted showing buyers round your property if it does not meet their basic needs.

A good estate agent will value your house accurately and according to the market value. While an estate agent’s valuation is by no means 100% accurate, a good estate agent should be able to estimate the market value of your property taking into account its age and condition, the location and the assets of the house. Making sure your property is not over or under valued is extremely important, reiterating the emphasis on finding a good estate agent who will do this well.

A good estate agent will be able to offer you advice on other areas on selling your home for example putting you in touch with a financial advisor or conveyancing solicitor. Some estate agents receive referral fees, be wary of them, although they should have enough market knowledge to be able to put you in touch with the right professional advice you need.

How can you identify a good estate agent?

Ensure that the estate agent that you have has a good track record. If possible use an agent that has come recommended by a family member or friend who has recently used them and been satisfied with the result.

Do some research into how they advertise their properties. The more mediums they use the more likely they are to find the right buyer for your property. If an estate agent does not use the internet to promote your house then they probably aren’t worth looking at.

Before you begin with an estate agent set a time limit on the sale of the property. If an estate agent isn’t selling your property then you want to be able to have the freedom to leave and try to get the results you want elsewhere.

Do not sacrifice quality in the name of cost. It is tempting to go for a firm that charges less but it may be an indication or a poorer service and less experience, this could cost you more if your house fails to sell or is undervalued, so make sure you go for quality and professionalism rather than price.

Estate agents who are registered with NAEA or TPOS should provide a high quality service.

Selling your home is extremely important and there is a lot of money at stake so it is important to take your time and do your research in order to make the right decision. These top tips can help you spot the good from the bad when shopping around for an estate agent so bear them in mind before deciding what agent should sell your property on your behalf.