How to choose the right Estate Agent for your house sale
When it comes to selling your home, you need to make sure that you have the right estate agent. There are many different companies around all competing for your business, so it is important to make sure you are comfortable with who you have representing you. Our tips and tricks will help you pick the perfect agent for you.
1. Check industry credentials
All estate agents are required to be members of the Property Ombudsman so make sure that yours is. Many will also be members of various trade bodies. Memberships of these will mean that the estate agent has to follow a code of conduct. They will have higher standard of professionalism and diligence and therefore are going to be better for you.
2. Have a list of questions
You want to make sure that you ask the estate agents certain questions- things like, if you go for a sole-agency contract what is the tie in period and how much do they charge? How will they advertise your property? Who will handle the viewings? Do they have a marketing plan for your property or is it just a case of putting it on rightmove?
3. Decide between Sole-Agency or Multi-Agency
When selling your property, you want to decide whether to go with Sole-Agency or Multi-Agency. Multi-Agency will mean that your property is marketed through a number of different agencies and in theory will be seen by more people, but it costs more. Really, a great agent should be able to get you the reach you need without another agent's help. If they're not able to sell the property, getting multiple agents on board isn’t going to help. Instead, why not research thoroughly for a great agent before you start.
They may cost a little more than a cheap agent, but it'll cost less than a multi agency contract, and they can get you the price you want and need.
4. Social Media Is Huge!
Advertising your home on social media is the new newspaper. It can reach thousands of potential buyers, Some that don’t even know they are looking to move yet. If your estate agent doesn’t have a social media strategy then they are not reaching as many buyers as they should be for you.
This is an opportunity for your agent to really target who they think is going to purchase your property and put it right on their screens. We now have the ability to look back at who has bought homes similar to yours and target that exact buyer based on their demographics, age, earnings, amount of children etc.
Has your potential agent discussed this with you? Is it included or is there a charge for it?
5. Communication is Key
The most stressful part of the process for most, Your agents job is too keep you fully informed and updated on the marketing of your home on a regular basis. It is critical that your potential agent keeps in contact with you from day one, This should include weekly calls to you, viewing feedback, offer negotiation right through to the day you move home with full step by step updates for you once your sale has been agreed.
At Love Homes we are here to help you every step of the journey, if you would like to discuss our marketing plans for you home, Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can reach your area property experts on 01525 713111, 01767 669222 or 01582 882440 or pop us an email at hello@lovehomes.uk