How do I choose an estate agent to sell my house Part 5 - Experience
Things to consider when choosing an estate agent to sell your home. Part 5
Choose an agent that has experience.
This is your most valuable asset. You can only sell it once, so make sure you sell it an optimum price in a timely fashion.
You want somebody who has experience of selling lots of properties. Someone who understands the area, the market, houses like yours, potential problems as well as buyers.
If you live in a large country property with acres of land, then you would want to use an agent that is used to selling them. Different queries come to the fore depending upon whether you have a septic tank, oil fired central heating, rights of way etc.
If you live in an equestrian property, then you would ideally want an agent that knows what they are talking about when it comes menages, horse walkers and stable sizes.
There is nothing worse than an agent acting on your behalf who doesn’t know what you or they are talking about. It will become apparent and embarrassing when buyers realise that the agent doesn’t know what they are talking about.
You need someone who can sing your properties praises as well as understand its foibles and potential issues.
If you are selling a Leasehold flat or a Shared Ownership property or have bought a new house with a Help To buy Scheme you need someone who can assist you with the forms and steer you in the right direction.
Anything that people don’t understand has the potential to put people off buying. Don’t let that happen to your property.
When addressing why the sale of a property has fallen through, after problems with funding i.e. mortgages, chain fall throughs, the majority of problems come under the lack of understanding bracket i.e. fear of the unknown. Make sure your agent can explain or you will have to do it yourself.
You will also want to know your agent has experience of negotiating. Whilst we might not be talking hostage taking scenarios like in the movies, you do want your agent to have years of experience in obtaining the highest offer for your home and negotiating where necessary on your behalf.