How to pick the best estate agent to sell your home
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When looking to sell your property, finding the right estate agent can feel like a real minefield.
As a London-based property developer with over 30 years of industry experience, being able to identify the right people to find buyers for my finished homes has been vital to ensuring that the best prices were achieved – and I have learnt a few lessons in the process.
I also started my career as an estate agent, so I have also seen both sides of the coin and consider myself well-placed to advise on how to recognise a competent estate agent. Here are my tips for getting it right.
Take your time
For lots of people, the property they live in is their largest asset – so when looking for an estate agent it is imperative that you give yourself plenty of time so you can consider a variety of different options.
First impressions count, so check out your potential agent’s website. How are their properties being marketed, and what are their online images like? They should be of a professional quality, not substandard smartphone shots, and the written descriptions of the properties they have on offer should be detailed and informative.
With the majority of homebuyers now searching online, make sure that your favoured agent is also signed up to at least one of the major online portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket.
Put them to the test
To test out their credentials when it comes to bringing in potential buyers, try registering as a buyer on your preferred agent’s website yourself and see if, and how quickly, they call you back. Don’t be afraid to quiz them throughout this process, and find out if the person who makes contact with you is knowledgeable about the area.
An effective estate agent should encourage buyers to go and view properties in person, and it may be worthwhile attending a viewing yourself to sample their customer service and sales technique. Equally, a good agent should conduct the viewing themselves and not leave it to the seller to essentially market their own home.
Valuations can be deceiving
When it comes to having a property valued, many sellers are tempted to instruct the agent that provides the highest valuation.
A good estate agent should be able to provide comparable sales evidence from the past three to four months of what they have sold in the area, including how close to asking price they achieved.
Look for ‘sold’ boards
Look for an agent with a strong success record – having lots of ‘sold’ boards outside homes in your area is a good indication of this.
It’s important that your agent is a strong negotiator, so if they are easily talked into dropping their fee, this doesn’t bode well for them negotiating the best sale price with a buyer on your behalf.
Following the above tips will help ensure that you select the best agent to sell your home efficiently and for the best price.