Questions to ask potential EA's regarding the marketting of my property.

[Gonzo33]

What questions would you ask an agent who wants to market your property before you sign an agreement?

Bit of background is that we already have a relationship with the agent as they let the house for me. They do this because we currently live overseas. I have to sell up because it is a 2 bed house and we need a 4 bed now (too many gorgeous dc now) and are moving back next year for education stability for our eldest.

I have the following in my head at the moment, but am bound to be missing something!

1. Where do you advertise?
2. Will you do new pictures? - We are redecorating the lounge, hallway, etc
3. Will you use my current EPC (still in date) or have a new one done?
4. Will you do a floorplan?
5. How long does the property need to be for sale with you before you will allow multi-agency?

1. What are your fee's for multi-agency?

Cannot really think of anything else right now, am sure you lovely people can.

How many houses have you sold recently in this price bracket and how close to asking did you achieve (give you some idea of whether they're valuing too high or not just to get your business)?

Are you on rightmove?

What are your books like re. suitable buyers for our type of house?

What checks do you do on buyers to ensure they're financially credible?!

Good questions narmada I know the answer to question 2 because I have seen all of their properties on there.

My brain is mush today, sorry

Definitely ask about comparables and what percentage of asking price did they sell for.

There was a thread very recently where someone's EA (I believe it was KFH) had a policy of only allowing 4 photos for any property on their website/rightmove. That's utter madness - you want as many photos as possible, so I would ask what your EA's policy is on that.

The EA should allow you to have photos done and redone as many times as you wish (within reason, of course) - so if you are redecorating they should send the photographer around at your request.

If you have any restrictions on viewing times, etc, I would mention it to the EA and see what they tell you - if your house is let out at the moment the tenants may not enjoy having viewings at very short notice. EAs are generally used to that. It also means the house isn't going to be as clean and ordered as it would if you lived in there, which may put off unimaginative buyers who won't be able to see passed the mess.

If you need a new EPC done, you can arrange for it yourself and save some money - I think the EA had said it was about £75 or £100, we booked it ourselves and paid £40.

Also ask them if they suggest you do anything specific before you market it - most of the time they will say no, so do pay attention if they do.

Thanks ladies

What kind of financial checks can/do EAs do on potential purchasers to ensure they are financially credible?

Befuzzled, some EAs will ask to see a mortgage offer; or, if dealing with a cash buyer, they can ask for bank statements or a letter from the solicitor confirming the money is there. They can be quite rude . But I understand why - a lot of people like to pretend they are cash buyers when they are not, so you can't just take someone's word for it.

Why would you go multi-agency anyway? (Genuine question)
I thought you paid much higher fees. If one can't sell, either there is something wrong with the property, the price or the agent. And if its the property or the price then the agent should be telling you so I guess i would switch agent anyway rather than add another. It also makes you look desperate.

Sorry, I don't know if that sounds bad. We are looking to sell our first property soon so I have bought but not sold and think most of the local agents are rubbish. Don't know why you would want to deal with more of them.

Are there any benefits to multiagency?

I would go into the estate agents as a prospective purchaser and see how they respond. One local agent was patronising bordering on rude to us so I would never use them to sell. Another was lovely.

I agree that multi-agency looks desperate. I've been scouring RM in our area of interest for about 9 months now, and the only properties which are now multi-agent are those which have been hanging around for a while. Have to say that since most prospective buyers use the same property websites, as long as your agent is marketing your property adequately (decent and multiple photos, floorplan, etc), really once it's online the property and price will sell themselves. Or not, as the case may be.....

vj32 I cannot physially go into any EA because I am living in Cyprus (husband is forces) and my property is in Southern UK. I do know the area well though and do know who to use and who to avoid.

However, I was thinking about having to go multi agency because I have a contract with the agent that currently let my property that they have to market it for me should I wish to sell for x period after it goes up for sale. I just cannot remember what that time scale is.

I know about all the potential pitfalls of multi-agency (I am a mortgage adviser/underwriter by trade) but have not sold my own property for some time, so don't normally have to think of these questions!

The property is in a really good area in relation to schools/travel links/area etc, and most houses are selling unless they are overpriced. I have done my research in the area and know myself what the house should be marketed at price wise, so will know if the agent is being over optimistic. The houses that are overpriced in the area have been on the market a while, whereas the other properties have gone quite quickly, so fingers crossed my agent does what they are supposed to.