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Choosing and estate agent

8 replies

OfUselessBooks · 23/06/2020 08:43

We will be putting our house on the market soon. The first estate agent is coming tomorrow to have a look and value it. We have another coming later in the week.

What should I be asking them? How do you choose which one to use? Obviously fees are important, but I'm not sure how to evaluate them against each other. How many should I be speaking to?

OP posts:
maxelly · 23/06/2020 15:13

I would talk to at least 3, but as many as necessary to get someone you are happy with. The main question I ask each one is about how they would value the house/what price they would market it at and what they factor into that, not so much because I need a valuation (already had a pretty good idea myself from my own research at this point) but more because a really good agent will give you a well reasoned, realistic, nuanced answer based on solid local knowledge, not just '3 beds round here go for x' but based on your street/specific area vs others, the condition of your house, development potential, the current market state and what clients they have on their books/looking. I am very suspicious of any agent who claims they'll sell it instantly for an inflated price (unless they can give me a very good rationale why that would be), that type tends to be bullshitters frankly, and if they bullshit you they will do the same to potential buyers which is very off-putting. There are some agents in my town I just won't view a house with as a buyer, ever, because I know they lie, oversell, hassle you etc., to get people through the door of viewings so it's just a waste of everyone's time. You definitely want to avoid that type!

But equally I don't like it when they have no ambition to achieve a good price whatsoever and just pitch at the lowest possible acceptable price to get a quick sale as that tells me they can't really be bothered to actively market the place in any way which is what I am paying them for after all...

I like an agent to question me on my circumstances, why and where we are moving to etc., so as to be able to give me a sensible marketing strategy with a 3 point price estimate, low price for quick sale, middle price and high/ambitious price if we are prepared to wait, and have a bit of a discussion on where in that range we should put the asking price.

I always look at prior examples of their adverts/photos and ask their advice on how we should 'stage' /dress the property for pics. Again I can get that advice elsewhere but I think how they reply to that question says a lot about their attitude and experience. If they can't even muster a 'tidy up the garden and hide the clutter in the sitting room' type response then I know they are no good.

Generally I like to feel they are a good (but not pushy) salesperson, don't need gushing compliments about the house but do need some enthusiasm shown, if anything I like them to be (constructively!) honest about any challenges they envision with selling it, I like to feel I can trust them to be honest and open, again both with me and potential buyers.

Ask about how they manage viewings, each agent is slightly different here and some are more flexible than others about how much notice they like to give, whether they like to hold keys and let themselves in for viewings even if you are out (which may or may not be what you want), what times they will do viewings at, weekends etc., and whether they will sometimes ask you to show someone around without an agent present. Ask what their views are on whether you should always, always take the kids, dogs etc out for viewings or whether they think it's acceptable to sometimes show people around with the family in the house (IMO the correct answer is it's always better to take the kids away but they understand and will work around family life and won't expect to be able to show up at 8am on a saturday morning to a show-home clean house with no children or toys in it, or at least not without giving you plenty of notice, but you may have your own views on that - esp given current circumstances which obviously play into how viewings work).

Needanotherholiday · 23/06/2020 16:09

I got talking to my estate agent when I was in their office to see the mortgage advisor and had no intention of selling at that time. I got the feeling just from that conversation that the particular agent I'm now dealing with is incredibly experienced and knew the market. When I first started engaging with her to sell, she was also really responsive but didn't waste my time with info I didn't need to know. There was no hard sell and any time I lift the phone to her she always seems happy to help.

I also thought back to my experience when I was buying my property. Some estate agents were shocking, particularly some of the big name ones. Didn't answer calls or email requests, didn't show for viewings, didn't make the sitting tenant aware of viewings so was turned away at the door, didn't know anything about the property, no follow up for feedback after viewing. I was looking for a flat in an in demand area so maybe they thought they didn't need to work much and the property would sell itself with minimum effort but it was incredibly off-putting and unprofessional so would be concerned about any of them selling my property.

So far I'm feeling pretty positive about the agent I picked. Property went on the market yesterday, marketing schedule was really impressive and have about 10 viewings booked in over the course of this week. Will reserve commenting on how good they are until I see how the marketing process goes but so far so good.

OfUselessBooks · 26/06/2020 16:43

Thankyou for the replies. We have had 2 and they couldn't be more different so we are having a dilemma! They both valued it at identical amounts.

We liked the first more. He seemed open and honest and has sold the house across the road recently, very quickly. He was full of good advice about how to get the price we want and coordinate it with finding a new property, which was very helpful.

The second was nice too. However, he criticized other agents in the area, and at one point said that they had been the only agents to sell a house around here recently (which wasnt true as the house across the road has a sold sign up). He did seem very good marketing and told us how he would be able to work with her agents in the chain to get it moving. He seemed very experienced.

So we're a bit stuck! I prefer agent 1's photos slightly as no. 2 has them from a higher angle and it just looks so obvious they're trying to make the room look bigger. No. 2 said they would use a professional camera and do a video. No. 1 has a video on one of their properties on right move but it looks a bit wobbly...

OP posts:
sbplanet · 26/06/2020 16:48

I'm confused, what do you see in agent no2 who lies and is unprofessional about his colleagues?

OfUselessBooks · 26/06/2020 17:49

When you out it like that!!

He seemed to be very experienced...and knows the market very well. He was never than I made him sound maybe! I thought he might be better at selling maybe...I'm not sure and definitely edging towards the first now.

OP posts:
Chocolatebrownielove · 26/06/2020 17:56

Selling a house is massively stressful and you need someone you trust and feel good about. I'd be hearing alarm bells with number 2. You've discovered a lie and that's before you've even instructed him!

My brother used someone who gave all the right chat about getting things done and said he came across as very professional but when it came to actually interacting with the EA, getting updates etc the info they were being given was full of holes and inconsistent and it was generally a complete nightmare. They lost all faith but were stuck in the middle of the selling process which just added to the stress of it all. You've got a heads up here with a chance to avoid!

If you have concerns about the way the EA operates, buyers will likely feel the same whereas if you feel an agent is open and honest he's likely to come across like that to buyers which is important.

We've been trying to view a few properties for over a week, all advertised with the same EA. Not responsive and rude on occasion - we're considering just forgetting them and moving on but if we ever do get to view and consider putting an offer in, I'm actually dreading having to deal with them.

sbplanet · 26/06/2020 18:53

Say to EA no1 you like the idea of video does it matter if they're a bit wobbly - perhaps currently people accept less than perfect images?

LOVELYDOVEY05 · 27/06/2020 06:00

Question How do you find out how accurate an Ea's valuation and the
actual price achieved is ? I ask because I have been told this is the way
to find the best agent

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