Selling your home is not something you do everyday so when it comes to choosing an estate agent it can seem like a bit of a minefield. Not all agencies are the same and some will be more effective than others, these tips can give you a better idea of what to bear in mind when it comes to choosing one.
A traditional estate agent will have a brick and mortar office that you can visit. They will normally take care of every stage of the selling process and will implement a no-sale no-fee agreement, so if the property doesn’t sell you won’t be left in the red.
Online agencies don’t often have offices, and they usually charge an upfront fee to put the property on the market. They may also charge further fees if a sale goes through. Most sellers decide to use traditional estate agencies so this article will focus on these.
1: Make a Shortlist
Start by making a shortlist of agents you are considering, then ask friends and neighbours if they have any recommendations or if they have any experience with the estate agencies on your shortlist. You could check online to find reviews from previous customers and browse their website for any specific services they offer. Once you have narrowed it down to a couple of options you can think about visiting them.
2: Book an Appointment
It can be tempting to jump the gun and call the estate agents straight away, but you will get a better and more realistic impression if you go to their office and visit them. This will give you a good idea of how well you get on with them and how well you can trust them, it also enables you to experience the atmosphere in their office.
3: Ask Them About Fees
All estate agents will charge you a fee to sell your property but you should ask about additional costs such as advertising or photography charges. There may also be a fee if you withdraw from the sale. A good agent will explain these fee’s in detail, to give you confidence that there are no hidden charges.
4: Come to a Decision
You may choose to appoint one agency or several. In practice it is best to choose one as your ‘sole agent’ as this means you’ll pay a reduced fee and as the agent knows they have a reasonable chance of selling the property they may focus more efforts on it.
Useful Links : Estate Agents Fulham, Estate Agents Hammersmith
