Published: 19/06/2022
When selling your property, gone are the days when the only option was to go through a traditional estate agent. With the advent of technology, vendors now have several options, including using an online-only agent or marketing the property themselves. While these options offer cost savings, it's essential to understand the difference between cost and value.To make an informed decision, we recommend getting a property valuation expert to come to your property and give you a free, no-obligation market appraisal. This will provide a good starting point and a baseline for comparison. It's also a good idea to get appraisals from one or two other agents so you can compare their assessments and see what they have to offer.
When choosing the right estate agent to market your property, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Track record: Ask the agent about their track record for selling similar properties. Request historical evidence of properties they've sold and the prices they achieved.
- Client reviews: Look up the agent's reviews, especially on Google. A reputable agent will have many positive reviews, but remember that the odd negative review is normal.
- Chemistry: You will be working closely with your chosen agent, so it's important to have good chemistry and to like and trust them.
- Fees: While low or even 0% fees may seem attractive, keep in mind that "if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys." Agents who offer such low fees may be desperate for instructions, and their need for more confidence in their ability to sell your property may show in their service level. Online agencies may charge an upfront fee, regardless of whether they sell your property, so consider their incentive to sell.
- Marketing: Ask about the platforms the agent uses to advertise and market their properties. Find out how the agent plans to make your property stand out. Leading portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla are where most buyers start their search, so it's important that your property is listed on these sites.
- Presentation: Take a look at how the agent presents properties. High-quality photos and well-written descriptions can make a big difference.
- Contract length: The standard contract length for an estate agent is three months. A longer contract may indicate that the agent needs to be more confident of being able to sell your property within a reasonable time frame.
If you have any property-related questions, contact Circa London central London Estate Agents, we'd love to help you. We'd also be he happy to value your property and help plan your properties future.
