How to choose an agent to sell your home

Now we’re into the latter half of 2022, the rush to get moving before Christmas has begun. House prices across the UK are at an all-time high, encouraging many homeowners to list their property for sale to achieve the best sale price possible. What’s more, the state of inflation and cost of living crisis this summer is set to potentially stabilise the velocity in which property prices are soaring, meaning there is no time like the present to put your selling plans into action. But before you start your exciting journey towards getting sold, it’s vital that you choose the best possible agent to sell your home. That’s why today, Centrick will be providing you with a few pointers for finding your perfect selling agent – from mastering your marketing, to ensuring competent communication, here’s everything you need to know:

Why it’s important

Your property listing is a reflection of your agent. An exceptional property will not gain the traction on the property market it needs to sell without a good selling agent and could even sell for considerably less than its genuine market value if placed in the hands of an inexperienced negotiator.

What do people look for in an estate agent

Research indicates that most people consider agency fees above all else and, although this is important, it’s vital that you look at the long-term factors as well as the short-term costs.

Centrick recommends looking at:

Marketing:

Exposure on different property portals is important, with Rightmove and Zoopla being the most visited websites for prospective property purchasers. However, just because your agent uses these platforms does not necessarily mean that the quality of their advertising stands out to those browsing for their next home or investment. The quality of marketing materials can subliminally impact the perceived quality of your property – fuzzy images and shabby ‘For Sale’ boards indicate that your property is not well-maintained.

To gauge how appealing a company’s marketing materials are, it helps to place yourself in the shoes of the target audience. Imagine you are looking for a property: what do you want to find out from a property listing? Does your chosen agent provide this information in a way that is engaging? Check their listings for the following:

• Local amenities – parks, shops, doctors
• Schools, nurseries and universities
• Nearby travel facilities – motorway networks, bus stops, train stations
• Floorplans, including square footage
• Annual ground rent and service charge (if the property is leasehold)
• Energy efficiency ratings
• High quality photography

Communication:

The sales process will undeniably grind to a halt without good communication. Being able to get in contact with your chosen agent to express your feedback and exchange updates on the status of your sale forms backbone of productive negotiation. It is a vendor’s nightmare to be left in the lurch regarding the sale of perhaps the most expensive, important financial asset of their life.

The easiest way to test the communication skills of your chosen agent is to simply determine how easy it is to get in contact with them. If you were an interested applicant looking to schedule a viewing, would you find it easy to get in contact with the agency? Are their contact details readily available, and is it easy to get in direct contact with a member of the team?

Upon initial enquiry and during the valuation process, don’t be afraid to ask your agent about their knowledge in the field – enquire into the state of the market, and what kinds of properties are popular at the moment. Ask what you can do to optimise the value of your property. This not only demonstrates your agent’s knowledge of the market but tests the communicative customer service skills that your future buyer will experience with the selling agent.

Reputation:

Showcasing your home with elaborate marketing means little if purchasers don’t trust your chosen agency. Estate agents do not always carry a reputation of trust and transparency, and choosing an agent with a sub-par reputation will make it difficult for your potential purchaser to fully commit to their purchase.

Determine the reputation of your chosen agency by checking reviews, looking at comments on social media, or simply asking for feedback from those that have sold or purchased their home with the agency recently. Place yourself in the shoes of the home-mover: when someone mentions this agent to you, how do you perceive them? Would you trust them?

Lastly, consider how transparent the agency is with you as a vendor, specifically with regards to fees. Have they been upfront regarding the costs of listing your property, and when they anticipate payment?

Still searching for a selling agent?

Centrick are trusted and respected leaders in local real estate, and our award-winning team of sales professionals would be delighted to help you take your first steps towards getting sold.

First opening our doors in 2005, we’ve established ourselves in Birmingham, Solihull, Nottingham and beyond as an agency that truly performs. Combining exceptional local knowledge with modern marketing, Centrick knows how to get your property sold for the best price, in the best timeframe. For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our sales experts below: