Finding the Best Estate Agent to Sell your Property

When you are selling your property, finding the right estate agent is the most important decision you will make.

The best estate agent will provide a realistic valuation and advise you correctly on improvements and certification that could add value to your asset and sell it quickly.

Most agents are paid commission once a contract is signed. This can lead them to tell you the wrong things, such as that your house is perfect when it isn’t, and overvaluing. Both of these can holdup the sales process.

A good agent

To determine if you have found a good estate agent, request reasoning from them when they value the property. Ask them what they will do if the property does not sell as quickly or at the price expected. If you’re happy with their answers, you may have found a trustworthy agent.

It is a good idea to check recent sales and prices of similar properties in the area by entering the postcode at www.zoopla.co.uk.

Marketing the property

It is expected that estate agents advertise online, so find out which websites they use. They should be members of popular sites such as www.rightmove.co.uk.

They could also advertise in newspapers, so check if they are doing this. If the property is pricey, they could put it in a national newspaper or magazine.

Finding the Best Estate Agent to Sell your Property

Traditional window adverts are also good for the local market, but make sure you know how long your property will be put there.

You can also request to look at their brochures, photography and descriptions. Ensure these are of a high standard to make your property look as good as possible.

Questions to ask yourself

Before you appoint an estate agent, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your agent communicate well?
• Do you get on with the agent?
• Do you trust the agency?

Additionally, read the contract thoroughly. If you do not understand something, research or ask the agent. If you aren’t happy with something, don’t sign.

Overvaluing

Sometimes people will simply go with the agent offering the highest valuation. However, it is common for these agents to ask you to lower the asking price within a couple of months. This can waste valuable time, in which you will need to keep the property ready for sale. If you are looking for another home, you may have lost the one you really wanted in this time also.

Buyers are also going to think there is something wrong with the property the longer it’s on the market.

Certification

You must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when selling your property. These are required by law, and allow potential buyers to check the energy efficiency of the property. The EPC contains details of energy use and costs. The EPC gives the property an energy rating and is valid for ten years.

Gas and electric safety certificates can also be beneficial when selling a property. Buyers will want to know everything is safe, and mortgage lenders want to see the state of the gas and electrics when lending on a property.

Improvements

You should ensure that your property is well presented before trying to sell, as this could be the difference between a great price and not selling at all. Improving the appearance could be simply tidying up the garden or decorating.

If there are broken or old features to the house, inside or out, a buyer may feel that the property has been neglected, and therefore has more serious underlying problems.

Read this advice on improving the exterior of your property: /improving-the-exterior-of-your-home/.

Inside the property

When a buyer steps into the house, they want to see it as their home. De-personalising the property and keeping it minimal will stop family photographs or ornaments clouding their vision.

These tips can help with staging your property: /ten-tips-for-home-staging/.