TRUSTING AN ESTATE AGENT TO SELL YOUR BIGGEST ASSET

 What to look for in your agent of choice.

When deciding upon an estate agent to sell your home, there are many factors that you need to consider, it can be an arduous task to make the correct decision so we have highlighted a few areas to look into…

Fees

With the onset of the online agent there has been much ado over the cheapest package. Which makes sense with online agents - seeing as they can't compete with the selling experience traditional agents offer, they need to compete on price.

A STRONG WORD OF WARNING IS DUE HERE!

WHAT LOOKS CHEAP AT THE ONSET CAN END UP BEING VERY EXPENSIVE LATER!

REMEMBER! People buy from people. It's misleading to suggest that simply listing a property & supplying an online portal to organise viewings can sell your house at the best price. Finding the right salesperson can net you thousands extra.

Besides - always remember to read the small print, being contractually locked into using a specific solicitor through an online agent, can mean your saving on the marketing fee is just spent on the solicitor!

The national average for estate agent commission rates are between 1% - 3%, but of course, there is more to selling houses than simply fees. Choosing an agent, which measures up to all of your requirements can be even more important. With all of the different marketing packages and services on offer, it can be easy to instruct an agent based solely on who offers the lowest fee, but proceed with caution…

Choosing solely on who offers the lowest commission is a mistake that many people will be tempted to make, but just think about this for a moment. A good estate agent will expertly negotiate the sale of your home to achieve the highest possible price. Would you be confident for an agent to negotiate on your behalf that has just under sold their own expertise and services by offering a commission fee that undercuts all of the competition?

This is perhaps one of the most important points – the focus has got to be on getting you the most money for your property, not paying the lowest in fees. For example: Agent A charges £799 and introducers a buyer willing to pay £250,000 for your property. Agent B is charging 1.5% and finds a buyer willing to pay £260,000. Their fee is £3,900. You’re £6,100 better off selling with agent B even though their fee is £3,000+ more expensive. By following these tips to give you a better chance of finding agents with the traits of being the very best in their area and listening to the tactic they use to ensure an agent gets you the best price before knowing what fee they charge is the best way to make an unbiased, unemotional decision. The best agents may not necessarily be the most expensive, but choosing an estate agent is an investment and needs careful consideration in order to achieve the maximum return.

One of the best investments you can make when selling your home is choosing an agent who will spend time and money on their marketing. Service and fees usually have a direct correlation when it comes to selling your home, often a low fee will return a low level of service. An agent who is keen to earn their commission will also be far more inclined to get your property over the line, as they will have invested their own time, money and resources prior to the completion of your sale.

At Cousins Estate Agents our main emphasis is on marketing & servicing the client to achieve the highest possible price. That's why we undertake a full professional photography FREE OF CHARGE for every property. Pictures sell!!

Methods of Selling

There has been a significant increase in the variety of methods available to sell a home in recent years. Traditional high street estate agents are no longer the only options for home sellers looking to place their home on the forever changing property market. The shop window has moved away from the high street and into the comfort of buyer’s homes with the advent of digital marketing.

So what else should you look for when choosing your estate agent? Before making your final decision it’s worth considering what you are looking for:

Marketing

There are two parts to the marketing of your property; the way it is presented and then how widely it is advertised.
Both of these are equally important to attract interest from your potential buyers. In terms of presentation, the most important aspect is the quality of the photography as buyers will either book a viewing or dismiss the property on the images alone. Other media such as floor plans, printed brochures and video tours should also be utilised in the marketing of your property.

An extensive advertising plan ensures every potential buyer sees your property. The majority of estate agents will list properties on Rightmove but you should also look for an agent who will add a property listing on Zoopla & Onthe market.com. Products like featured property and premium listings on Rightmove and Zoopla are very effective to make properties stand out and generate more interest. Cousins Estate Agents are proud of marketing on all three major portals.

Pro-Active Selling

Pro-activeness is more difficult to measure than the marketing but is equally important. A good estate agent will work hard for you and follow up on every potential lead to ensure that the correct buyer is found and the best price is secured. Efficiency and regular contact with potential buyers and bringing energy to the process really do make that extra difference in successfully selling a property.

Experienced Negotiators

As estate agents are instructed to sell what is most likely your biggest asset, it is no surprise that experienced and effective negotiators are one of the most important factors you should look for from your estate agent. Good negotiators work hard on your behalf to secure the maximum price for your property and this is where they earn their fee several times over.

Professional Advice

Your estate agent should be available to advise you throughout the whole process. There are several important decisions involved in selling a property, which requires you to have confidence and trust to be advised by experienced property professionals.

Sales Progression

Achieving a sale is just the starting point as you rely on your agent and conveyances to ensure your property progresses to completion. A good estate agent will qualify offers and regularly chase the progression of the sale, whilst ironing out any potential sale falls and keeping you constantly informed along the way.

At Cousins Estate Agents we like to go the extra mile, we work hard to secure the highest sales prices and we pride ourselves on our professionalism.

To book your FREE market appraisal give us a call on 0161 464 6199.