When it comes to selling or letting a property, your success will largely depend on the estate agent you choose. By drawing on their expert knowledge of the industry, they should be able to help you find the right buyer or tenant and maximise the value of your assets. However, not all estate agents uphold the same values of quality service, which means that your property journey could yield entirely different results depending on who you choose.
One way to make sure you choose the right team for the job is to go with an independent property agent. Keep reading to find out what the differences are between independent and national estate agents, as well as five of the many benefits that come with choosing an independent estate agency.
Essentially, the difference between national and independent estate agents is that national chains cover multiple locations while an independent estate agency will focus on one specific area. Just like our team here at Coleman Estates, an independent can also be a family-run estate agent built on a foundation of family values.
The key benefit of choosing a national estate agent used to be the broad exposure they could offer, helping your property reach multiple audiences nationwide. However, nowadays, this is no longer limited to nationals thanks to property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla. These online sites have levelled the playing field, which means that estate agents of every size can now market their properties to exactly the same audiences.
Guided by the values of honesty, loyalty, trust and respect, independent property agents now offer several advantages that can help you get the best property experience. Here are just five reasons to choose local for your next property venture.
When selling your property, local knowledge is one of the most important factors. If your estate agent is based in your area, then they’re more likely to have insights that can help you market your property correctly and find the right buyer faster.
This local knowledge is key to setting the right asking price for a successful sale, which goes much deeper than simply comparing other sold property prices. By drawing on insider information like the character of the area and potential development plans, they can help you assess your property’s real potential. Individual areas around Telford each have their own characteristics and communities, attracting different types of buyers. This is something that only locals will be able to understand and use to your advantage.
Once they’ve set the right asking price, your independent property agent will then be able to use their knowledge to market your property to the right people. By knowing all the best features of your location, they’ll be able to match you up with a list of local buyers with a high potential for proceeding to purchase.
Being locally based, an independent estate agency will have also built up a trustworthy reputation within your area. That’s because smaller, family-run estate agents like ours are built on family values and integrity, giving our full respect to each and every homeowner or buyer who walks through our doors.
Clients mean everything to small businesses, and as such an independent property agent will be more inclined to give clear and honest guidance at every stage of the buying, selling or letting process. This trust becomes all the more important when helping buyers, who will want to be sure they’re making the right decision when investing in their future.
Matching people with the right homes since 1998, our expert insights into the Telford property market have helped us build a trustworthy reputation within our local community. When you choose local, you’re choosing an independent estate agency that you know has the knowledge and customer service needed to find you a buyer and secure a successful sale.
National estate agents tend to have a wider portfolio of properties to handle from various locations, as well as a number of performance targets to hit. This means they have less time to get to know your property in-depth and give it the attention it deserves. It also means they might use automated services and have fixed processes in place.
In contrast, a smaller, independent property agent will have a refined portfolio of properties specifically within your local area. As such, they’ll have more time to dedicate to you and your property, delivering hands-on services. This is especially important when handling unique or high-end properties, as they’ll be able to create tailored marketing plans that make the most of a potential buyer’s first encounter with your property.
If you’re looking to let your property with a fully-managed package, then choosing an independent estate agent will also give you confidence that your asset will be well looked after. With a smaller portfolio, they will have the time needed to carry out all the necessary checks, complete any maintenance tasks and answer queries from your tenant. This will make sure your property ticks the right boxes for legal compliance while keeping both parties happy for a great tenancy experience.
With the time available to dedicate to you, you can also have added peace of mind that viewings will be followed up and feedback passed on. This gives you a clearer understanding of what buyers think of your property, so you have the opportunity to act on their feedback and create a better viewing experience.
Since honesty and excellent customer service are two of the core values that underpin independent property agents, you can also expect to be kept in the loop throughout the entire process. From clear fees and regular updates to relaying offers and updating solicitors, this will ensure that things progress smoothly for both parties.
Communication skills are just as essential when it comes to renting. By letting you know about any issues that arise throughout your tenancy agreement, an independent estate agency can help protect your asset and keep your tenant happy.
Plus, if you’re receiving a personalised service with clear and responsive communication, you can also rest assured that your tenants and buyers are receiving the same. This will give everyone the confidence to proceed, increasing your chances of a successful sale or tenancy.
Another big benefit of choosing an independent property agent is that since they’re local, they have all the connections for a successful sale. They’ll have a contact list of local buyers and investors so they can contact interested parties as soon as you decide to go to market. These connections will give you a better chance of reaching the right people for a quicker sale.
They may also have connections within the local planning authority, giving them insights into local development plans, planning laws and the feasibility of any projects you or your buyers might have in mind. This will help reduce the chances of making any potential mistakes, giving you the expert guidance needed to unlock your property’s full potential.
Here at Coleman Estates, we have been matching people with property since 1998, and as a family-run business, we understand that there’s so much more to a house than its bricks. With over 30 years of combined experience, our managing directors Max and Kate Coleman have built an independent estate agency on a firm foundation of family values.
Connecting with the local community and building a reputation of trust, we have become Telford’s best-rated estate agent for both sales and lettings. We strive to make every property experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, providing regular, clear and honest communication at every stage.
Whoever you choose to trust with your property, there are several ways of making sure you get the best from your estate agent. If you want to find out more about how we can help, get in touch with our friendly team of local estate agents who will be delighted to answer all your property-related questions.
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