Selling a house remotely - what to expect of the estate agent?

[miaowmiaowmo]

My mum died recently and I'm selling her house, but I live 300 miles away so will be very dependent on the estate agent to hold the keys, conduct viewings and make sure the house is kept properly secure. I'm meeting with the agent next week to discuss logistics, but it would be useful to know in advance what to expect - do they normally have something in the signed agreement about their responsibilities towards security? (Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but I have visions of young agents 'borrowing' the keys on a Saturday night and making clandestine visits to impress their girlfriends/boyfriends).

Hopeful bump?

I'm so sorry you lost your mum. I think I would get a ring doorbell fitted. It will alert you when someone approaches the house.

@HollowTalk

I'm so sorry you lost your mum. I think I would get a ring doorbell fitted. It will alert you when someone approaches the house.

That is a good idea, although we have cancelled the wifi (as house is empty), so would need to uncancel it.

It's in a cul-de-sac, and the neighbours are helpful, so I'm not too worried, but I want to know what I can reasonably expect to see in the written agreement with the agent.

Having worked for an EA, this has never happened. It’s a job and the keys are kept in a numbered not named manner in case the office gets broken into. I honestly wouldn’t imagine this would ever happen, but maybe I am very naive! I would see if you can meet the agency and see whether you feel comfortable with the staff dynamic. I would recommend going for a local agency rather than a large corporate.

Sorry about your Mum, always a rough time.

I've sold a fair few houses trusting the agent to behave ethically. There's never been a problem. The last one the excellent agent practically managed the house for several months, took meter reading & got the grass cut, etc. Truly excellent service.