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Making Sure An/estate Agent Works For You
MAKING SURE AN ESTATE AGENT WORKS FOR YOU
Selling a home in the current climate isn’t easy, so employing an estate agent will make sure you go to market with the best price and the most effective marketing.
Email4Property.co.uk, the UK’s largest online network of local estate agents, explains why using an estate agent will give you the best chance of a sale.
1. Realistically price your property Estate agents are experts in their local market and will be able to identify a viable price for your property. Sellers can double-check this figure by approaching at least two other agents in their area for a free valuation.
2. Reach more potential buyers Many estate agents will automatically list your property on their website as well as any multi-listing property portals to which they are subscribed, such as Zoomf.com. Always ask where else your property will be seen, such as the property pages of your local press, as the more potential buyers that see it, the more likely you are to clinch that all-important sale.
3. Market your home effectively Estate agents employ a range of marketing tools to attract buyers, including interactive floorplans, ‘for sale’ signs and illustrative photos. They will also arrange a Home Information Pack (HIP) and Energy Performance Certificate – without which a property can not be sold.
4. Only pay if there’s a sale Estate agents don’t require an up-front payment, instead collecting a fee upon completion. This means they are likely to work hard to find a buyer for your property. But, if you don’t get a sale you can take it off the market without having to stump-up any cash, apart from paying for the HIP.
5. See immediate results Many estate agents have a list of interested buyers registered on their database so sellers can expect to have viewings and receive buyer feedback almost straight away.
6. Receive regular updates To ensure you’re kept abreast of developments the estate agent will agree a frequency and method of communication with you from the outset. This will give you the option to make changes to the sales strategy or, if necessary, lower the price to stimulate interest.
7. Negotiate the offer price Leave it to the agent to do any price negotiating. It is in their interest to see that the deal is done, and like you, they will also want the property to achieve the best possible price. They have a greater capacity to be objective about your home, and they will be acutely aware of the local market and its limits.
8. Have your sale coordinated Once an offer on a property has been accepted the estate agent will oversee the onward process, liaising with the buyer and seller. As well as coordinating surveys and valuations they will also qualify buyers for mortgage purposes, avoiding any problems further down the line.
9. Access additional benefits Estate agents can recommend other services necessary when buying a property, such as surveyors, mortgage brokers and removers, sometimes at a discounted rate.
10. Fairness assured Under the Estate Agents Act, estate agents are obliged by law to work in the best interests of the client and treat buyers and sellers fairly. All estate agents must now also belong to an industry body with an ombudsman scheme attached so any complaints should be investigated.
Steve Lees, Head of Marketing at Email4Property.co.uk, comments: “At the start of 2010 it was most definitely a sellers’ market, but there is evidence to suggest that, as the election draws closer, buyers could delay their move into the market. For this reason, sellers should continue to look to estate agents for the help and advice they need to sell a property speedily, but more importantly, successfully.”
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Article date: 3/31/2010 12:00:00 AM