Estate agents, like any other vocation, differ in skill. A good estate agent is worth their fee if they completes a sale within your desired timeframe and at a price that permits you to achieve your onward move hopes. Don’t forget that squeezing every last penny out of a sale is not necessarily always your best strategy. If you are prepared to accept a somewhat low offer then the chances are you can pass this reduction on to the owner of the property you are buying.
But, back to estate agents:
Choose an estate agent who is prominent in your locality. They need to have an excellent local presence. Many potential buyers tour a locality they would like to buy in and expect to visit an office to pick up particulars and discuss with staff. So the estate agent must also present themselves professionally.
Showrooms really should be smart, spick and span uncluttered and fit to be seen all the time, as should employees. Don’t forget these people are representing you and your property to the world.
Consider acting role playing a buyer and visit some estate agents showrooms. Are the staff approachable and attentive. Do they acknowledge you straight away and exhibit a genuine interest in your requirements. Do they give you their undivided attention and try to encourage you towards immediate viewings. Do they talk positively about any Homes they are showing to you. If they are very good you should find yourself under real pressure to go to a viewing and you might need to make excuses or admit about your real motives! How would you feel knowing that these people are working to sell your home.
Try telephoning their office a few times to judge their call answering. Avoid estate agents who use answer-phones in office hours, there’s never an excuse for doing this, they may lose that once in a while buyer for your property. Evaluate their rapidity in responding, 6 rings or fewer is satisfactory, more than twelve is unacceptable. If you leave a message for an individual person, do they get back to you as they say they will?
Do not use an estate agent based on which one says they can get the best price for you, no estate agent can extract more from a purchaser than they are prepared to pay. In any case it is you who must be in control of the negotiations and what price is ultimately agreed.
And finally, if you begin to feel discontented about an agent, don’t be scared to switch and let a new agent have a go. I’ve purchased and sold a lot of Homes, and my experience is that it’s well worth spending a bit time to get the best estate agent in order to Sell my House fast, at a good price & with the least of stress.
