How do you pick agents?

[shishnfips]

Our house has been valued identically by two agents including the one we initially bought it from. Commission rates are 1.5 and 1.4%. How do you pick?

I looked at how they display info on their web site, quality and sensible use of photos, details about the houses on their books (sensible or ridiculously gushing), information about the area and presentation of the actual EA shop and how I’m greeted. Try and ascertain if they are actually selling houses? Is anyone waiting for your type of house that they know about? Are they are helpful or a bit dismissive? Pretend you are a buyer! I assume they are both charging the same?

all the stuff BubblesBuddy said, and also remember that the terms they are offering you are negotiable.

The agent I chose to sell with wanted to tie me in to a sole agent deal for 5 months, and charge 1.25%. We agreed 1% and a 14 day notice period instead.

As III77 says, everything is up for negotiation.

So one of them has negotiated to 1.1% plus vat. Should I assume the other one (1.5%) is also plus vat?

I'd be very surprised if the quote includes VAT. It should be noted in the T&Cs on the paperwork the agent left with you after valuing.

Maybe I'm.old fashioned but I just went for the one i liked best personally! He lived in our village too so really knew the area, was a small company and didn't give off that pointy shoes slimy vibe . He turned out to be worth his weight in gold. So gut feeling !

Look at where the majority of the property they sell is and that it's a similar type to yours - then their clients list will hopefully be full of potential buyers for your place.

I agree that it's important to like them too RangerLady!

I needed to choose between two well regarded local agents and there wasn't much in it other than price, so chose the one who who was offering the better deal. I wouldn't choose an agent I didn't think was good or who I didn't like just because they were cheap.

I had three valuations including purple bricks. I discounted pb and then went with estate agent I liked best out if the other two. It was a mistake actually as the agent who valued had nothing to do with the subsequent sale which was left to two awful people in the office.
Next time I'll still go with the lowest commission rate but will clearly identify who will be handling the sale on a day to day basis.

I looked online and didn't look at the agents but the adverts I were most drawn to and tallied up which agents they were. It ended up that out of 10 adverts 8 of those adverts were by the same agent, they had great eye catching photos. Descriptions and floor plans.

I then negotiated the price with them x

Reference to another thread, if one is a Countrywide member I’d go with them.