Choosing the right estate agent is very important and will have a big impact on how quickly you sell your house, and at what price. Contrary to common thinking, not all agents are the same and some will be more effective than others. 

Do your research

When it comes to choosing an agent to sell your home, it helps to firstly make a shortlist of possible agents. It’s always a good idea to speak to others about their first-hand experience, so start by asking family, friends and neighbours for their recommendations.

Whilst comparing facts, like how quickly they sell property, how close they come to achieving the asking price and how successful they are, are important, you’ll also want someone who is experienced, enthusiastic and helpful, and a good estate agent will be punctual, friendly and able to offer expert advice.

Why not also take a look at their listings on sites such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket and check how they are marketing other properties they’re currently selling -  do they include attractive pictures, list all the important features, have a floorplan?

Customer review websites like TrustPilot or Feefo or Google or Facebook Reviews can also be really helpful when searching for reputable companies with honest customer feedback. 

Ask questions

Once you have a shortlist of three or four possible agents, head in to their office (if they have one) or give them a call, and ask them to provide a valuation for your property. This is a chance for you to check their communication skills, professionalism and knowledge.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and make sure to gather as much information as possible – you’re going to need it when it comes to making a decision about who you want to sell your home. Here's a list of essential questions you should be asking each agent:

• Do you live locally?
• What can you tell me about the market in my area?
• How many properties have you sold in my area?
• What kind of prices have you achieved for sales similar to mine?
• How long have you been in the real estate business?
• Are you a member of NAEA Propertymark?
• Do you have a team of people to help with my sale?
• What are your working hours and will you or a colleague be contactable on weekends?
• What would you do if my property wasn’t selling?

Every agent who visits you should be able to tell you the price they suggest marketing your home for and the price they expect to achieve (although it’s important to note that these may not be the same), details of their fees and the costs associated with marketing your home and specific contract details such as tie-in periods.

What are their fees?

Then you will need to look at the nitty-gritty of the contract and the agent’s fees. If you are selling your house using a traditional, high-street estate agent, their fee will typically be based on a percentage of the price paid by the buyer - this is called commission. 

You may find that other agents charge a single, flat fee. What is included can vary dramatically, however, and it's likely that different packages will be available for different price points, so make sure to check what you're getting for your money.

In order to avoid unexpected costs, don’t sign anything that you don’t understand and be sure to ask about anything that is not clear.

Are they Propertymark Protected?

NAEA Propertymark Protected agents will give you the assurance that your estate agent follows best practice, meets all requirements of the profession and works to industry standards.

We always recommend that you use an NAEA Propertymark estate agent. They hold Professional Indemnity insurance and if they are holding monies are required to be covered by Client Money Protection to give you peace of mind throughout the sale of your house.

Finally, choose someone you have felt comfortable dealing with and who you feel you can get along with.

If you are thinking of selling or just need some property advice just give us a call on 01364 652652.

Moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever have to do so we want to lend a helping hand to make the process a little easier. We've put together 9 of our best tips to help you sell your home.

1. First impressions count

Most buyers form their first impressions within seconds of walking through the front door. If you have a front garden, spend a little time sprucing it up. A few plant pots and a clear pathway can make the front of your house more appealing.

Quick Tip: Don’t forget to clean your front door, it can make a huge difference.

2. Clear worktops and declutter

A tidy room should never be underestimated, especially as dirty or cluttered rooms can be an immediate turn off for some buyers.

So take some time to clean each room from top to bottom paying special attention to high impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. You should also think about having a spring clean; if there’s too much furniture, and things like children’s toys and unused gym equipment lying around, it can make the property feel smaller. 

After a deep clean your home will smell fresh and be much more appealing to potential buyers.

3. Add a lick of paint 

Neutral colours are appealing to buyers; a fresh coat of paint will brighten up your home and will allow would-be buyers to envisage themselves living in the space.

4. Crack out the toolbox 

Straightforward DIY jobs such as filling holes in walls and checking for clogs in the guttering are easy to do and is one less thing your buyer needs to think about doing once they’ve moved in. Getting any problems fixed before putting the house on the market is a smart idea.

5. Think about your pets

Whilst you might think your pet is adorable, others may not. Potential buyers may be allergic so make sure any pets are confined to one room (such as a utility room or the garden) or removed from the home during viewings. Animals can also detract attention away from your property, leaving them with a neighbour or family member will ensure buyers are kept focussed on your home. 

6. Brag about your broadband

Broadband speeds are serious business in this day and age and just advertising the presence of fibre optic cables in your area could be enough to encourage buyers.

7. Think smart

Smart home technologies are increasingly important to buyers, smart technology such as Hive, which gives mobile control over heating systems, is a feature worth considering. If it moves your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) up a band, it could add thousands to the sale price.

8. Consider an open house 

An open house can be a major benefit for sellers, and setting aside one or two days to open your house up to the public will save you time in the long run. Spare yourself the effort of cleaning your house from top to bottom every other day and answering the same questions over and over by getting most of your viewings out of the way in one go.

9. Pick the right agent

Choosing the right estate agent is very important and will have a big impact on how quickly you sell your house, and at what price. Using a Propertymark Protected estate agent will give you the assurance that your agent follows best practice, meets all requirements of the profession and works to industry standards.

For more information see our how to pick the perfect estate agent guide

3 COMMON MISTAKES THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

We have asked NAEA Propertymark estate agents to reveal the mistakes that vendors make when selling their property. Their top answers were:

1. Overpricing

The first thing your buyer sees is the price, so when it comes to valuing your home, it’s got to be done right.

An overpriced property could deter anyone from arranging a viewing and making an offer. You should seek the help of a professional estate agent who will use their expertise about the local market to give you a fair price.

It’s worth doing your own research too though – how much are other properties in your area being marketed for? What does your home offer that other ones in the area don’t? Be realistic and don't let pride cloud your judgement and lead to overpricing.

2. Bad Photos

When it comes to selling a property, a picture really is worth a thousand words; with more buyers searching online than ever before, great photos are an absolute must. Avoid photos with bad lighting or any that are blurry and poor quality.

Your estate agent should take professional standard photos to help market your home, so make sure the property is tidy, the curtains are open, and all the light bulbs are working before they come over.

3. Too Much Personality

It’s important that your home doesn’t feel over-personalised. Remember, not everyone shares your taste and future buyers need to be able to see themselves living there with all their possessions.  Family portraits, keepsakes and loud colour schemes can distract buyers from seeing your property’s full potential. 

If you follow our tips and avoid these pitfalls hopefully you will have a successful sale in no time!

Source: Propertymark