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6 Questions to ask your Estate Agent before signing up
August, 2016

6 Questions to ask your Estate Agent before signing up

With so many estate agents to choose from, it is important that you find the best estate agent for your needs. You should review and research the available estate agents and here are 6 questions to ask before signing up.

Do they have experience of selling homes in this area and in selling your style of home?

When it comes to finding the best estate agent, you’ll find that instructing an estate agent with experience is very sensible. Of course, just because an estate agent has experience in the industry doesn’t mean that they have the relevant experience and expertise you need to sell your home in your local area.

When it comes to selling property, there is a lot to be said for calling on the services of an estate agent with good sound local knowledge. This is why you should ask an estate agent if they are selling homes in your area, if they know the type of buyer looking in your area and where to reach these buyers. You should also want to know if your estate agent has helped sell properties that are similar to yours in recent months.

How should I best present the property?

If your estate agent is experienced in selling in your area and knows who is looking to buy, they should be able to tell you what these potential buyers are looking for. This information will allow you to present your property in a way that is attractive to potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of generating interest or even receiving an offer.

When presenting your property, decluttering your home, ensuring it is clean and tidy and creating a positive impression are all sensible steps but if there is a particular type of buyer who is more likely to buy your home, presenting your home to appeal to these buyers makes perfect sense.

Will the estate agent conduct viewings?

While you are likely to know more about your property and can answer questions directed to you, your estate agent is a professional and they should be more than happy to conduct viewings on your behalf if required. This means they should be confident in this role and they should know the questions that potential buyers ask. Requesting that your estate agent carries out viewings or is at least present for any viewing is a sensible move which will provide confidence, assurance and better answers to potential buyers while minimising some of the pressure you will face in this situation.

What marketing material will the estate agent provide?

There are many ways in which an estate agent can convince a potential buyer to offer on your home, and the range of marketing material they offer can play a big part in this. Yes, online property portals are crucial in promoting property in modern times but you should look to work with an estate agent that provides quality printed details, a floorplan of the property and who will place a “for sale” sign outside your property.

These are all marketing activities that can increase awareness of your property and convince buyers that your property is the ideal property for them.

Where does the estate agent advertise and promote?

Again, while online property portals are important and allow potential buyers to peruse property in their own time and leisure, this shouldn’t be the only place an estate agent promotes your biggest asset. An estate agent should have a physical presence where people passing by their office can come across your property for sale. A good estate agent will be present on social media and they will also utilise traditional methods such as newspapers and magazines.

What is the complete cost of hiring the services of the estate agent?

Selling your home can be a costly exercise and it is important to remember that the cheapest estate agent isn’t necessarily the best estate agent. This is why asking what an estate agent will provide you for their fee is important because it allows you to determine what the value for money on offer is. Knowing what assistance, you need from an estate agent will allow you to appraise the value and merit of each estate agent and how much money you will have to pay for this service.

 



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