What to look for in an estate agent?

mose_2

What should i be looking for in an estate agent to sell my house?
What should i be asking?
Should i just go with the cheapest one or a more reconised one?

Thanks all.

stockmarket-diva

Hi

I'm an Estate Agent in the Kent area and I would like to tell you what you should expect. . I work for myself and for a start that makes me give the best service to my customers because I need to know that my excellence will be recognised and other customers will come my way.

So I suppose what I'm saying is that I actually think you should stay away from a large Corporate Agent....I have worked for them and believe me all they will care about is the figures they have to submit to their Managers. This results in getting aborted viewings, bullying their customers to accept offers so that they can be seen to achieve more sales etc and sales progression being dealt with my a team that you have never met and who doesn't have the immediate care for your sale.

You should also be sure that whoever works for you is committed to getting you the best price for your property and from the most financially able purchaser...make sure that the agent has seen some form of proof that they have a mortgage agreed in principle.

Viewings: I accompany all viewings to the property. This prevents abortive viewings or nosy viewings...I make sure I am not wasting my time with time wasters.

Qualifications: What professional qualifications has the agent?

Advertising: Do they advertise on some of the most popular web portals and in the most widely read newspapers.

Sales Progression: Who will deal with the progression of the sale once you have accepted an offer. I assure my clients that I will deal with them from the beginning to the end...this also also involves me collecting keys and handing them over to the new homeowners which gives a much more personal touch.

Testimonials: Ask if they can show you any testimonials from satisfied customers. My latest one this week was from a lady surveyor I had sold a house to who works for a large corportate estate agent. She sent me some flowers and a card that said " I deal with many estate agents in my profession and I want to say that you are the most professional and pleasant estate agent I have ever dealt with".

MissMotivation

I agree with previous poster but just wanted to add:-

Check that the agent is a member of the OEA and NAEA, they will have guidelines that they adhere to and IF there is any major problems then you have an independant body to complain to.

What are their business hours? I would be looking for an agent that works after 5.30pm at night and 7 days a week...that way they are open after normal business hours.

Another thing that I suggest to any potential clients is to visit our office as a buyer to see what service they receive, that way they will know what kind of service we provide.

I could go on as there many many things I would be looking for if I was choosing an agent.....I think I would be the worst client an EA could have :rotfl:

PasturesNew

Pick the one with the flashest car and biggest house ... might be an indication that he's making lots of sales

BrixMorta

diva, I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head here.

stockmarket-diva

No it sometimes has the opposite effect...I drive a Mercedes and a Mazda MX5 and the sorts of comments I get sometimes are along the lines of...oh you probably earn too much, regardless of the fact that its my husband who pays for them. No-one seems to think that you might be driving them because you are successful! Typical English attitude to pull someone down if they're doing well.

Re the office opening hours, I agree and would like to add to my previous post that I am always contactable out of hours (to my distress sometimes) so no need to be restricted to office hours.

zekepes

I agree with everything which has already been said.

I definately wouldn't simply go with the cheapest, although price is a factor - of course!

I think posing as a buyer is very valuable. When the basics are covered it is pretty much on gut feeling for me. I definately have to like them! Some of them seem to have a very high opinion of themselves, in a snobby, way which always cracks me up and sends me running in the opposite direction.