What do people really want from an estate agent?

lizmail1000

We've been running a lettings agency for 17 years and after years of requests, we've decided to start some residential sales, initially for existing clients but really to make it work we need additional properties.

We've hired a person experienced in residential sales and to compete in a city we really need to provide something different and the person we have hired is very keen to offer a totally transparent service, obviously making a profit and successfully selling for people but not being the typical agent people are suspicious of.

What do people really want from an agent?

MissMotivation

:rotfl: looking forward to the responses on this thread :rotfl:

gps_2

maybe they would like value and service for the fee charged?

i.e why do some agents not do viewings themselves or charge for it?
why do some agents charge for adverts?

what EXACTLY does the service include? e.g weekly updates on sales and transactions, chasing up feedback, honest appraisals.

a little more honesty and respect for the buyers and sellers.

they need to show they are working for their clients by BETTER COMMUNICATION.

miss_phish

I have only had one experience of selling a house and the biggest pain in backside was expecting a viewing and no one turning up (agent OR viewer so the agent obviously knew - WHY didnt they let me know??).

Even worse is when viewers turned up unexpectedly and no sign of an agent, as a woman on my own that was not good and I refused to let them in.

Offer an honest service with up to date communication and you'll do fine!

Oh, and dont lose interest in the sellers that have been on your books for a while - we want to sell just as much as you guys want your cut ;o)

franklee

lizmail1000 wrote: »

What do people really want from an agent?

I'm clear what I want and that's a long term let!!!!

Let me see if I've got this right, you've been running a lettings agency for 17 years (congratulations, seventeen years is a good long time) and it's now you want to start some residential sales...

Well as a tenant I can tell you what I'd like from an agent, and that is a landlord who is not about to sell :mad:

We may have just had the only run on a bank in living memory (but it was only a small run) and you think there is now enough demand for sales? Whatever happened to landlords being "in it for the long term"

What are you doing, starting a run on buy to [strike]debt[/strike] let?

cannycat

What do people want from an estate agent?! Is this a serious question?!

1. HONESTY.

2. HONESTY.

3. HONESTY.

Sadly, in the decade or so I've been renting my own temporary dwellings in this country, I have NEVER met an honest estate agent. Every single estate agent I have EVER dealt with has lied or withheld information. Perhaps I've just been exceptionally unlucky, in the 5 different regions of the country where I've lived.

Apparently there's one honest bloke in Glastonbury who actually describes houses as they really are.

I love the idea of a long-term let mentioned above (like those found on the continent, thus meaning you don't have to move every 2 years or so, dragging your chattels behind you) but I can't see it happening any time soon in this country. :rolleyes:

franklee

cannycat wrote: »

Apparently there's one honest bloke in Glastonbury who actually describes houses as they really are.

I think you mean

http://www.ralphbending.com/index.php

Debt_Free_Chick

lizmail1000 wrote: »

What do people really want from an agent?

A pro-active and personal service that leaves me in no doubt that you are doing everything you can to sell my house.

I shouldn't have to call you to ask why I've not heard anything in over a month. You should call me "for a weekly chat" to let me know how the week's been - if the market's slow with few buyers, tell me. Then tell me if there's anything you think we should do - drop the price? If there have been viewings, give me the feedback. Don't tell me my crimson bath suite is a crock of $h!t, but do suggest that £400 in a new suite and £200 on tiles is likely to make a difference (but only if you think it will).

When I get an offer, manage the buyer & their solicitor please. Make sure you know as much if not more about the current situation than I do - try to foresee problems in advance and suggest what we might do about them. Tell me to expect a price negotiation if the roof looks like a paper doilie.

In short - please be one step ahead of me and proud to be there. That way, you won't get caught on the hop when I'm frustrated that you seem to have "done nothing" for the past 2 weeks and then not even had the courtesy to call me and give me an update.

HTH

maninthestreet

lizmail1000 wrote: »

What do people really want from an agent?

Truth and honesty?

BrixMorta

What people say they want and what they are attracted to are actually entirely opposit.

They say they want honesty, integrity, professionalism, hard work but in truth they are attracted to, bright lights, sharp suits, spiky hair, and white socks & then wonder why they feel so disappointed.

DKLS

Decent photography, if your staff havent got the skills of David Bailey, send them on a course.

If I am new to an area, Tell me the areas to avoid like the plague, not sending me to view houses in an area that would make Beiruit look like a better place to live.

And tell me which properties, are on sale due to probate/divorce/suicide/repo etc so I can suitably avoid or pick up a potential bargain.