What should you focus on when choosing an estate agent.
All estate agents are the same right? It's easy to see why a lot of people think all estate agents are the same, there are a lot of similaries BUT there are some significant differences and choosing the right estate agent for YOU can have huge consequences.
There is no doubt that the increase in the stamp duty threshold has had an effect in Burton-upon-Trent and Derby, as we have seen a rise in the number of enquiries from those looking to buy and sell. Should you decide to sell, one thing you have to make a decision on is who you place your trust in to sell your home. With high street estate agents, hybrid, and those only available online vying to win your business, have you thought about what is important to you? What should you focus on when choosing an estate agent in Burton-upon-Trent?
Price?
Depending on your situation, price may be a deciding factor for you, but you should do some research on exactly what level of service to expect. What will the agent provide you with as standard? Are there any additional costs? And where will you need to supplement their service with your own efforts?
When you focus too much on price you’re not paying attention to what matters when you’re selling your home. You could say you only get what you pay for, as in many cases that’s true. We know that you want an agent who is transparent on fees, can provide value for money, and provides a significant level of marketing. You also want to be assured that the agent you choose will negotiate on your behalf, achieving the highest price possible and, most importantly, not disappear once the challenging part of the sale begins.
Will they be there?
Finding a buyer is just the start; the sales process is the trickiest part of your sale. Once you’ve accepted an offer, you want reassurance that the agent you choose will not disappear, but will be driving all aspects of your sale forward to ensure that you complete as soon as possible. This requires them to be a puppet master, keeping in touch with all parties in your chain, your conveyancer and even your broker. With Sure Sales and Lettings you will always know what’s happening, your sale will run smoother and we’ll take away a lot of the stress.
Snap
What does the service look like with the agency you are considering? Is it an ‘off the shelf’ offering or will you be receiving a service that takes into account your unique circumstances and your property’s individualities? We believe that a snap service just doesn’t work, as what works for one property just wouldn’t for another. There is of course some similar thinking with regard to some of the marketing tools that we use, but as we have an in-depth understanding of the local market we know what methods will work for you and your home.
Our mission is to always attract the widest audience, but one that is targeted. Any estate agent can attract buyers, but we want to find the right buyers and if we grab their attention, we have success. This is why an ‘off the shelf’ approach can’t achieve the same results.
Will they settle?
The agency you choose will determine how offers are made and accepted. This may be an online platform where buyers can get in touch and make an offer; this is a conversation between you and buyer and you are in control of the negotiation. You may be happy with the offer you accept, but is it the best you could have achieved?
Negotiation is a skill, one that takes time to develop over years. We invest in regular training for our team so we’re confident they can perform to the highest standards, getting our sellers the best results whilst supporting buyers in the process.
Will they get the figure right?
When you place your property on the market, how will the sales price be decided? Will the agency value your property, and is this valuer highly experienced and working daily in the local market? Getting the valuation right is essential, at Sure Sales and Lettings we won’t overvalue your property to get you excited and win your business. On the other hand, we certainly won’t undervalue to try and tempt more buyers through the door, as this can cause unhappy clients on all sides. We don’t mind having tough conversations to give you an honest appraisal of what your property is worth in today’s market. If you can’t be honest at the beginning, then it doesn’t bode well for the rest of your relationship.
What’s important to you?
The agency you choose will depend on what kind of experience you want to have, so do your research so you know what to expect and there will be no surprises down the line.
If you’re thinking of selling, we’d love the opportunity to show you what we can do for you and your home. Give our team a call on 01283 537120.