A home is without a doubt one of our most prized possessions, which means that when it’s time to sell, you’ll want to make sure your property is being well looked after. But not all estate agents are equal, and many sellers come to us after a disappointing experience elsewhere. With this in mind, here are our top 5 tips on how to get the best from your estate agent and improve your chances of a quick sale.
1. Be Clear About Your Expectations
How you behave during the early stages will have a big impact on the way the relationship between you and your estate agent develops. Be clear and confident about what you want, giving your agent a timeline so that they’re fully aware of your expectations.
It’s equally important that you know what to expect from them, so ask plenty of questions about how they intend to go about selling your property. Make sure you understand their selling process, such as marketing tactics, photography, and accompanied viewings, and whether you’ll have a dedicated sales progressor.
Most importantly, make sure your contract includes a cooling-off period. This should give you 14 days to leave if you find you’re unhappy with their service.
2. Test Their Knowledge
If you’re happy with what you can expect from your estate agent, it’s time to put their expertise to the test. Find out what percentage of their properties sell at their asking price, and how long it takes on average to secure an offer.
Many estate agents tend to inflate their valuations to secure instructions, so it’s also worth asking for proof that backs up any figures or statistics they give. While it can be tempting to go with the agent that gives you the highest valuation, this might not be realistic and could end up deterring potential buyers.
Asking for evidence is also a great way of showing your estate agent that you’re serious. Although we believe every property should receive the same level of attention, we often hear about sellers feeling neglected. By pushing for proof, your estate agent will feel the need to work harder for you.
3. Check Your Listing
Once you’re happy everyone’s on the same page and you have a realistic asking price, help them show off your property. Get your home photo-ready by clearing away any clutter to make rooms look more
spacious. Then when you have your photographs and plans, check that they’re accurate and you’re happy with how your property will be presented.
You can even give your property the chance to stand out more by helping write the descriptions. Many estate agents will use a template description which they then tweak, but this approach often sells properties short. Send over a few sentences which highlight any key selling points, and if you think the description could be better, don’t be shy and let them know.
4. Track Your Data and Local Trends
If your property has been on the market for a couple of weeks but it’s not gaining much interest, ask your agent to pass on the online viewings data. This will let you know if your property is being marketed correctly.
Once you have a better picture of what’s going on, you can get your agent to start making changes. A surprisingly effective and simple tactic is to mix up the order of photos. While one photo might not have been appealing enough for a buyer to view your listing, they might find themselves drawn in by another.
Also, keep an eye on the housing market in your local area, staying up to date with recently sold prices and new listings. If a 4-bed down the road is up for the same price as your 3-bed, then you might need to consider a price drop.
5. Ask for Feedback
Getting feedback is a great way of finding out about the pros and cons of your property from a buyer’s perspective. If several buyers make the same comments, then this is something that needs addressing. Homes with bright wallpaper might benefit from a lick of white paint, or the listing might need adjusting to reflect the property more accurately.
Some feedback is a little more difficult to address, but there’s always an answer. For example, when it comes to things like location, you can alter the description to highlight the benefits of where you are. All feedback is good feedback, and your agent should be able to find solutions that make your property more appealing.
Your agent should be updating you after each viewing anyway, but unfortunately, some aren’t as responsive as they should be. If you don’t feel like you’re getting the best sales experience, try sending in a friend to see what sort of buyer experience they deliver.
They will be able to tell you exactly how your agent approaches the sale and whether they would instruct them to handle their own property. Depending on their feedback, you’ll know if it’s time to start looking for a new agent.
Research Your Estate Agent for the Best Results
Taking an active interest throughout the sales process will show your estate agent that you’re a serious seller who wants to see results, pushing them to deliver their best. But if you really want to make sure you receive a great selling experience, then research your chosen estate agent first. Get advice from friends and family, and check out Google reviews for insights from both sellers and buyers.
You can also lookup agents in the Best Estate Agent Guide, which rates every estate and letting agent throughout the UK using the strictest standards. At Coleman Estates, we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional service and are proud to have been included in their list.
If you want to learn more about the packages we offer and how we can help you get the most out of your property, our team would love to hear from you.
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