Your guide to help you choose the best Estate Agent to sell your home.
In this helpful guide I will give you my Top 10 Tips and advice on how to find the best Estate Agent to sell your home.
Hello, and welcome to your sellers guide which I've put together to help people choose which Estate Agent to instruct when they are considering moving home.
My name is Michael Hollamby and I have worked in the property industry in Lincoln and Lincolnshire for the last 30 years, most recently as the owner of Hollamby Mackay Bespoke Estate Agents in Lincoln.
In that time I have helped 1,000's of people move home and have a proven track record on achieving the best outcome for the home owners I work with.
This guide will help you make an informed decision on which Estate Agent will be the best one to act on your behalf by following my Top 10 Tips on things to consider and questions to ask as you get valuations undertaken on your home.
If I can be of any further help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me - all my details are on the last page of the guide.
Happy reading - click this link to see the pdf of the guide along with the bonus home styling checklist.
Michael Hollamby
My Top 10 Tips to help you choose the best Luxury Estate agent
1 -Check that the Estate Agents already have similar homes to yours already on their books.
It's important to check that the Agent has experience in marketing and selling properties which are similar to yours as some agents may have a niche market or a certain demographic of property they work with.
It's also important to check they have been successful in selling those properties. You can check this by either visiting their websites or, more simply, visit a property portal like Rightmove and put in the postcode of your home and an expected price range and the portal will give you all the information in price order. * You will need to tick the Include under offer / sold stc box to ensure the sold properties are shown too.
2 - Check that the Agents market their properties well?
When checking over the marketing on the portals look to see if the photos and description have grabbed your attention. Seeing cars and bins on cluttered driveways or untidy gardens is not going to give the best first impression. Also, has the Agent used attention grabbing wording to describe the property or does it just give a list of features with no real information given for you to show your interest.
3 - Is there a floor-plan and video tour?
Most prospective buyers would certainly expect to see a good quality floor-plan of the layout of the property or they may dismiss even viewing it. In addition, by having a video tour you can increase the initial interest in your property by 83%. These two factors will ensure you don't get time wasters or uneducated potential buyers visiting you when you list your home for sale.
4 - Get a broad range of Agents to undertake a valuation.
In todays modern age of Agency there are different types of Agencies you can choose to initially value your home. By selecting an established corporate Agent, an independently owned Agent and even a personal branded bespoke Agent you will gain vital information about the type of business they all are and the range of services they offer. It's also an opportunity to personally see who you think you will get on well with and like as you may be dealing with them for several months.
5 - How did the Agent handle the enquiry when making the appointment?
This is a really important step. It's now possible to book a valuation using a valuation tool on the Agents website as well as by sending them an email or by calling the office. Check to see how long it takes for the Agent to respond to your enquiry as this may give an indication to how they treat their customers. Also, if calling, check to see if the Agent was excited to be taking your details and for the opportunity to visit you or if they were just form filling with no real passion or desire to help you.
6 - Are you happy with your initial impression of the Agent?
Check to see how long it now takes for the confirmation of the valuation to be sent to you and the quality of the content of the information they send too. Is there anything they have done so far which has made you feel important or valued?
7 - Check that valuer has come prepared to the valuation.
Some basics here to start with. First of all - were they on time and polite when they arrived. Bad time management and manners are not a good indication of any company's service. A good Agent will set the agenda of the meeting with you and explain what they would like to do in the valuation. They should also ask you why you are thinking of selling and find out the story behind your move.
When presenting the value it's simply not good enough to just present you with a list of comparables of properties which have recently sold. You could have done this yourself using Rightmove or Zoopla. A great Agent will be able to present to you the true value of your home based on the market as it is now and also have a prepared list of registered buyers they would like the opportunity to show around.
8 - Check the terms
The Agent should explain the full terms of their business relationship with you. Make sure you are happy with the fee structure they have suggested. Some will offer a percentage of the sale agreed price and others may offer a fixed fee. Decide which one is best for you but be mindful that on a fixed basis the Agent might not be as focussed on negotiating the best sale price for you as they will get a set fee regardless of how much you sell for. Also check to see if you will be tied into a long Sole Agency period and notice period as if you want to cancel the contract and leave, some offer contract terms which last for months.
9 - Check how successful the Agent is at selling homes like yours.
Always ask the Agent to tell you how long, on average, homes priced similar to yours are taking to sell with them and also what percentage of asking price do they achieve on average. A good Agent should be able to tell you this straight away. This will show you how successful they are.
10- Are you ready to start business relationship with the Agent?
Selling homes is more about people than property. A great Agent should make you feel valued and listened to and will have understood what your needs and wants are. Only 1 in 8 sellers use the same Agent to sell their home the next time around and this is usually based on them having received bad service or they lost trust and relationship with that Agent. It's therefore always good to check out the company's customer reviews and seek recommendations from your own friends and family too before deciding who to entrust to now sell your own home.