What makes a good estate agent?

MortgageMamma

Hi All

I am interested in getting your opinions on what makes a good estate agent. I mystery shopped a couple of them this morning to compare them to the estate agent I am involved with, and I was suprised at how different they all were.

I'm interested to know your experiences but positive and negative - do you buy their services just on price? if you are buying from them how do you find them once your offer is accepted? have any of you come across estate agents who wouldnt convey your offer as you were not using their mortgage broker?

All comments gratefully received

MM

BusyLizzie_3

My recent experiences of estate agents is limited to having three local ones round to my house to conduct a valuation, and they were all very different. One of them turned up very late for the appointment, and seemed vague and evasive when we asked him questions. Another asked us to complete a questionnaire prior to the appointment and the last question was 'what are you looking for in an estate agent?' I want someone with a good knowledge of the local housing market, who is enthusiastic about marketing my property, is willing to give frequent updates on the progress of any offers, and eventual sale, is easy to contact and will ring or email me back quickly. Is it too much to hope for that they won't lie to me, as the last estate agent I used 9 years did? In the end, all other things being equal, or more or less equal, I'll choose my agent based on who I think I can do business with, and on who I can trust with selling my most precious asset.

MortgageMamma

so, its trust trust and trust. and professionalism.

If you had the choice of paying 1% for a firm you thought were okay but not the best, or 2% for a firm who would sell it quickly and professionally, what would you choose then?

BusyLizzie_3

I'd go for the 2% firm, but try my hardest to negotiate them closer to 1%!

MortgageMamma

If you found a firm you were happy with on the sale front, would you consider using them for your finances too?

BusyLizzie_3

Yes, definitely, especially if I thought it would help move a sale through more smoothly. But I'd do my own research too to make sure I was getting a reasonably good deal.

Do you work for an estate agent, MM, or are you independent?

MortgageMamma

I was independent but very recently tied up with an Estate agent, although still whole of market and not panelled. With this thread I am trying to gauge what people want from an estate agent and what they dont want. the EA I work in seems very relaxed, half the time they don't even qualifiy the buyers financial position before presenting to vendors - I've done my research with local firms, now I'm trying with the public (although to some extend MSE'rs are a different breed as more savvy).

Once I'm done with this I'm going to write a report to the director telling him what needs to be improved etc. I know this site is not strictly for this purpose, but I figured I'd put enough of my time into it so should gleen a little knowledge along the way

Many thanks for your honest answers

MM

TBeckett100

we were on with a flash looking company, their sales guys were too slick and i can see how it put the buyers off. we looked at a house and was impressed by the agent pointing out the negatives there were that we switched to them and they secured an offer in 4 weeks.
having said that, i do feel i am having to call them for updates when they should be chasing for me and keeping me in the loop.

MortgageMamma

I think thats a common downfall of many agents, once the sale is secured its not on the "buzz" list and can often be neglected. sadly i see it as a problem in the agency where I work and am making some suggestions to improve the situation. I.e. EVERY vendor has to be called with an update on a specific day of the week. In future when negotiating with an estate agent over a purchase or a sale make sure you ask them to stipulate in the contract HOW often that they will contact you rather than "regular" contact. the truth is that estate agents are sales people and when one's in the bag they go after the next without the aftercare. It infuriates me where I work at the moment as I see the staff plodding along and chatting away happily whilst the phones are buzzing with people wanting updates!

m00m00

for an example of how an estate agent shouldn't behave

read this thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=774727

TBeckett100

its a no brainer - this is how they reach commission - chasing the sale