Once you reach that all-important decision to sell your home, choosing the most suitable estate agent can be a daunting and difficult task. You are making a huge financial decision so you will want to pick an estate agent who will do the best for your Best Marana AZ Realtor property, and who has your best interests at heart. Sounds easy? From my experience, my clients have told me that this can be one of the most difficult tasks in the selling process.
People choose an estate agent based on different reasons but it is essential to keep in mind that your decision should not be solely based on the cheapest agency fees. There are numerous other factors that should be considered before making your final choice. Here are my top 10 tips to consider:
1. Get a recommendation
This may sound obvious however many people chose an estate agent which they drive past on their way to work which they have no prior knowledge of. If possible, get recommendations from family members, friends or colleagues who have used an estate agent in your area.
2. Shop around and consider multiple agents
Friendly competition amongst estate agents is common and there is nothing wrong with that. It is important to shop around so you can get an idea of the different fees each agent charges, their experience and their property expertise.
3. Enquire about their experiences
Always check how much experience the estate agent has and their local knowledge of your area. Ask questions like ‘Have you sold properties in this area before?’ ‘How successful have you been?’ ‘How many viewings do you get on a property similar to ours?’ ‘What are your experiences / history of selling properties similar to ours?’
Asking these questions really does make a difference and could influence your final decision on choosing the right agent for your needs. It is also important to note that getting a good customer service and building a good rapport with your agent can have its benefits.
4. Find out how they plan to advertise your property
Don’t be afraid to ask an estate agent how they plan to market your property and through which methods. Which property portals do they use to advertise on? How strong is their internet presence? Do they advertise on major sites such as rightmove.co.uk or findaproperty.com? You can find out whether there will be a floor plan of your property, images or 360 degrees virtual videos.
Be sure to ask the estate agent whether they will be conducting the viewings on your property or whether you will be doing them. If you are conducting the viewings yourself, find out how much notice the agent will give you. Do let the estate agent know if you have other commitments that would prevent you from doing viewings during certain times / days.
5. Negotiate
Everyone can negotiate fees. Getting quotes from a few different estate agents will give you the opportunity to negotiate fees to a lower fee charge. Having said this, it is important that you do not negotiate for a very low fee. This can cause lack of motivation to the agent selling your property as they are losing commission.
6. Be cautious of valuations
It is a good idea to get a few estate agents to value your property. Websites such as zoopla.co.uk and nethouseprices.com can you give you a rough idea as to what your property is worth. Check these sites before having your property valued, so you can determine whether the estate agent has valued your property at a fair price.
Unfortunately some agents may overvalue your home to gain higher commission. Initially, this could look like a wealthy prospect as you will receive more money from the sale but, it could put off potential buyers. This may lead to you having to dramatically drop the asking price at a later date. On the other hand, your property could be undervalued in a bid to make a fast sale.
7. Are they regulated
Check whether the estate agents you are looking into are members of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). This regulatory body requires members to strictly adhere to a code of practice. If they do not meet these requirements, the estate agent can receive a huge fine or in worst cases, be expelled from the NAEA.
You should also check that estate agents have a manager who is qualified through the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). ARLA agents volunteer to follow the Code of Practice and Rules of Conduct laid down by their professional body. The agency is also covered by ARLA’s Client Money Protection (CMP) Scheme, if you suffer financial loss due to the bankruptcy or dishonesty of the ARLA member and/or their firm.