I'm an Estate Agent. What do you expect from me.

stockmarket-diva

I have been an Estate Agent for a long time now but now starting up on my own.

Of course, one of my main reasons for doing this is to offer a service which is unequalled by anyone else.

I'd be grateful if you could all tell me what would make the ideal Estate Agent for you....that is other than selling your house!!

I look forward to your replies and any ideas you might have that would be a useful marketing tool. I'm fed up working for other Agents and being limited in the kind of service I can offer.

silvercar

...Honesty!

Twinkle_Mitchell

To start a one man campaign against gazumping. If you offered prospective buyers a 'no gazumping guarantee/clause', I'm sure buyers would be queueing up to use your services. Not sure how it would be done, but there's nothing worse than putting in an offer, getting it accepted, starting the ball rolling, only to find out the greedy vendor has offered someone else the house for few extra quid - RANT OVER!!!

silvercar

Most sellers want a quick sale at a good price.

A realistic valuation with a promise of a low fee for a sole agency for 4 weeks. That way buyers will get to know that your properties are priced at a reasonable level; sellers will be comfortable paying a lowish price in return for a quick sale.

In our area certain agents are known to price things up to get instructions, so everyone just discounts their prices.

WHat would I expect an EA to do? Advertise (local press + net property portals) with decent photos. Keep on top of the chain and keep lines of comunication open.

nmiah786

Advertise properties with floorplans. I find that a very useful way of trying to visualise the dimensions and how the house is layed out.

Honesty is a must, I know its difficult in this industry, but you have to be seen as being honest!!!

angel_eyes_3

Prompt sending out of property details to prospective buyers. Good knowledge of what is on your books, i.e. if ringing asking for any details of 4 bed semis - actually knowing you have some to sell!

Good luck

Doozergirl

Impartiality -
Recommends whole of market mortgage advice
Obtains quotes from several solicitors

Selling -
Property advertised on rightmove or similar.
Agents all familiar with my property or at least a decent database to make notes.
Obtains prompt feedback from viewers and continues to hunt down those that are hard to catch!
Good clarity of picture in newspaper advertisements - more focus on the property than branded boxes with the road name plastered across the top

Buying -
Send details to prospective purchasers on a regular basis (a novelty for many agents)
Taking of enough detail with regards to style of property/budget etc. to send out well matched details to registered purchasers.
rightmove or similar again, but also a good search facility on the company website to be able to narrow down by beds/price/area
Taking personal notes to prompt agent to remember who people are.

Hope this helps. I'll post again if I think of any more.

mac123

stop bullsh*****g!!

Pal

Regular phone calls to vendors keeping them updated on what is happening - even if nothing is happening! Silence is the worst thing when you are hoping someone will buy your house, and it makes the estate agent look lazy.


I would tell people selling and those that are in the process of buying, that you will phone them every 2 days with updates, even if nothing is happening. If they don't like it, they can tell you how often they want to be contacted.

Keep phoning up and chasing everyone - solicitors, vendors, buyers, mortgage brokers etc etc. Then let your customers know what they said. It will take you half an hour a day, but your customers will appreciate it a lot, and will recommend you to their friends and family = more money for you.

nrsql

I tried to sell my house last year (failed) and had it with several estate agents.
Most said how good the house was and there was no point doing anything to it as buyers would want to personalise it anyway.
One agent (a lot older than the other teenagers) said that I should touch up the decor as it's looking a bit tired, add some flowers to the garden ... and he gave the lowest valuation 429k against the highest 485k. Next time I try to sell I will go back to him.

So - be honest and don't be afraid to criticise.

Poppy9

You need to market yourself as an honest agent so that potential sellers are not offended when you offer constructive advice.

Tell sellers to lose the smelly animals, stop smoking in the house etc. It's only for a few weeks hopefully.