Choosing an Estate Agent to sell your home for you is not an easy task. There are so many things to consider and not all of them are about the fee they'll charge you. If you compare the agents on fee only then you'll be comparing an apple against a pear. Two different fruits and two totally different agents who will go about marketing your home in totally different ways.
Here are a few questions to ask which will enable you to draw your own conclusions.
Do they do accompanied viewings?
- The Agents Academy say that an agent has a 50% better chance of selling your home. Accompanied viewings should be by an agent that knows your home inside out.
Do they have one point of contact? Will the person valuing your home be the person doing the viewings and negotiating on your behalf? Will they be responsible right through to the end of the process?
- Having one point of contact throughout the process not only makes your life easier and your buyer's life easier, but, it will actually dramatically increase the chances of a successful completion once a sale is agreed.
Are they available to you and your viewers on evenings and weekends?
- Most buyers and potential buyers will be working full time. With evening and weekends available for viewings, offers, negotiations and answering queries you are much more likely to find the right buyer, and the right price.
What's their proposed marketing strategy to sell your home for the best possible price?
Do they advertise on Rightmove, Zoopla and Prime Location?
- Over 90% of house sales start online, these three portals account for the vast majority of that 90%. Make sure you don't miss out!
Do they offer 2D and 3D Floor Plans and do those floor plans show the outside space you have?
How professional are the photographs?
- Do compare the photos on the websites. There are some shockers around. You may find a property on with two agents but they may look completely different due to the quality of photographs. We would highly advise you get the best possible photos, even if you have to pay extra for them (We include professional photography as standard)
How long is their contract for? Are they tying you in for 12 weeks or longer?
- If they think think they can successfully sell your home for you then they don't need to tie you in for all that time.
Are they local? Where do they live? Do they know the area?
- This is all so important, your viewers may not know they area and are relying on your agent letting them know where the schools are? How good are they? Where's the nearest doctors, supermarket, dentist? All of that comes into selling your home.
If you decide to move agents, what is their notice period and how much will it cost you?
These are just some of the most important questions you should be asking your potential agent and hopefully you found this useful. If you have doubts then please just ask, even if it's not us your going to use, we're here to help you as best we can.