Picking the right estate agent to sell your property is vital to its success. I have put together 10 qualifying questions to identity if an agent is right for you and has your best interest at heart.
It all comes down to transparency, accountability and confidence they can provide you with the best service to achieve the best price in the agreed time.
1. What is your process for valuing my property?
Positive: The agent explains they use a combination of recent local sales data, market trends, and unique property features to set a competitive asking price. They provide comparables to justify their valuation.
Negative: The agent gives a vague response or quotes an inflated price without evidence to secure your listing. This can lead to delays or price reductions later.
2. What experience do you have selling properties like mine?
Positive: They have a proven track record of selling similar properties in your area and share examples of recent sales with good outcomes.
Negative: They lack experience with your type of property or neighbourhood, making it harder for them to attract the right buyers or market effectively.
3. How will you market my property?
Positive: The agent describes a comprehensive marketing plan, including professional photography, online listings on Rightmove and Zoopla, social media promotion, and targeted advertising.
Negative: They rely solely on putting your property on a single platform with no additional effort, reducing its visibility to potential buyers.
4. What types of buyers do you think will be interested in my property?
Positive: They provide a clear idea of target buyers (e.g., families, first-time buyers, investors) based on the property’s features and location.
Negative: They lack insight into the property’s appeal or give a generic answer, indicating poor understanding of the local market.
5. What are your fees and are they negotiable?
Positive: The agent is transparent about their commission or fixed fee and is open to discussing adjustments if needed. They explain what their fee includes, such as marketing and viewings.
Negative: They avoid answering clearly or reveal hidden charges later, creating trust issues. High fees without added value are also a red flag.
6. Are there any additional costs I should know about?
Positive: The agent outlines all potential extra costs upfront (e.g., professional photography, EPC certificate, or premium marketing options).
Negative: Additional costs come as a surprise during the process, leading to unplanned expenses or disputes.
7. What is the current average time to sell a property in this area?
Positive: The agent provides accurate, data-backed insights into the average time properties like yours stay on the market and offers advice to speed up the process.
Negative: They either exaggerate or underestimate the timeline, creating unrealistic expectations. A lack of local market knowledge is also a concern.
8. Do you foresee any challenges in selling my property?
Positive: They address potential challenges (e.g., unusual layout, lack of parking) and suggest practical solutions, showing proactive thinking.
Negative: They dismiss any concerns or fail to identify obvious challenges, indicating a lack of foresight or expertise.
9. How do you handle viewings, and will you conduct them personally?
Positive: The agent ensures they or a qualified team member will accompany all viewings, provide feedback promptly, and accommodate potential buyers’ schedules.
Negative: They expect you to conduct viewings or leave buyers unsupervised, which may result in poor representation of your property.
10. How often will you provide updates, and in what format?
Positive: They promise regular updates (e.g., weekly via phone or email) and are available for queries, ensuring clear communication throughout the process.
Negative: They are vague about communication or fail to provide updates, leaving you in the dark about your property’s progress.
By assessing how the agent answers these questions and considering the positive or negative scenarios, you can make an informed decision about whether they’re the right fit for selling your property.
What other questions do you think you should ask? I have 28 in total I share with my newsletter...
Paul Childs - A New Style of Estate Agency