If the time has come to relocate your family, one of the biggest decisions you’ve got to make – aside from picking your new home – is choosing an estate agent to market and close a sale for you.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re choosing to upsize or downsize, or move for work or school places, the right estate agent can make all the difference. They can ensure a smooth transition to your family’s next chapter.
If you’ve never used an estate agent before, let me run through some of my top tips to finding an estate agent that guides you through the entire process.
Consider agents that know your area inside out
Your first port of call should be to work with an estate agent that knows the area you live in like the back of their hand. Local knowledge is invaluable, whether it’s writing your marketing material or hosting property viewings or open houses and promoting the wider area.
A good local agent can talk up your community, which may tip the scales in your favour if there’s families wanting to relocate. Don’t be afraid to ask agents how many homes they’ve sold in your area lately and how quickly they sold.
Don’t just settle for the first agent you negotiate with
Even if time is of the essence, don’t pick the first estate agent you come across. Take their terms and speak with at least two more to get a picture of how they work and their charges. It’s also important not to go for the estate agent that gives you the highest valuation. Some agents inflate figures to wow you and win your signature, only to suggest reducing the asking price further down the line.
Although that’s less of an issue these days, with demand still outstripping supply in major cities like London. The Evening Standard said first-time buyers in the capital now pay 8% over the asking price just to get on the ladder.
You shouldn’t rule out online estate agents
Source: Unsplash
It’s also important not to discount using an online estate agent either. They’ve come a very long way in terms of the professionalism and efficiency of their services. Many now offer hybrid models, combining real human support with digital platforms.
These services are typically most cost-effective than using a conventional estate agent. Some will tie you down to much shorter contracts too. At Sold, you’re only contracted for a 30-day window. This is good news as it incentivises them to get a deal over the line for you within a month. This particular online estate agent has a network of pre-verified buyers that they connect to your property if it’s something that would interest them.
Talk to friends and family for recommendations
Don’t be afraid to lean on word of mouth too. Take time to ask trusted friends and family members for recommendations. They may be able to provide invaluable, unbiased opinions on the performance of local estate agents to help make an informed decision.
It’s also worth checking out reputable online review portals like Google Reviews and Trustpilot. So long as they are genuine, confirmed reviews, you can digest these and look for pros and cons regarding communication, responsiveness and, ultimately, results.
The right estate agent isn’t the one that promises to sell your house for the highest price. Nor is it the one that offers the cheapest fees either. The most suitable agent is the one that will get your family moving without unnecessary delays or drama. After all, that’s what we all want from our moves, right?
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