Important Questions You MUST Ask An Estate Agent Before Instructing Them
When it comes to instructing an estate agent to sell your property, asking the right questions is essential. It's your opportunity to gain valuable insights and ensure you're partnering with an agent who aligns with your needs and goals.
Here is our top list of questions we recommend asking every estate agent BEFORE listing your home for sale: and the important why behind them... 📃❓
What is your marketing strategy for my home? 📈 🎦
Having a strategy is key, you want to understand theirs before going to market.
What is your strategy for the sale of my home? 📈 💷
A marketing strategy and a sales strategy are two different things...
How long is your contract tie-in period? ⌛✍🏼
A short or no tie-in period gives you confidence the agent doesn't need to lock you in for long periods of time to get you the result you need.
If you ask me to reduce my marketing price, is there a get-out clause in the contract referring to this? 📉📄
Reducing your price shouldn't be the first option to achieve a successful sale on the home, so the agent should be confident in the marketing price - if not you should have flexibility to list with another estate agent should you wish.
What is your history in my local area selling properties like mine? 🧑🏼💻👩🏽💻
Have they got direct experience selling similar homes locally - are there any case studies they can advise you of?
Who carries out my viewings and negotiations on my property? 👀💬
You want to know who will be engaging with the buyers before it actually happens, it is important this person meeting the potential buyers and dealing with the negotiations understand your motivations and what a successful sale looks like to you!
If my property listing goes stale, what is your advice? 🔄💯
You need to have a Plan B for your marketing before Plan B is needed.
What is your process for progressing my sale and who will be my point of contact? 📊⏰
Once the sale is agreed, the important things happen with the solicitors. It is imperative someone is chasing the other people in the chain so everyone is moving at a similar pace.
Do I need to use your recommended solicitors or mortgage brokers? 🫱🏻🫲🏽📚
Recommendations in estate agencies, can often mean referral fees for the agents so are there recommendations the best of the best? This will also give an insight into who they are recommending to potential buyers and will give you a chance to check out their reviews.
How will you help with my onward search for my next home? 🔎🏡
Agreeing on a sale on your home is the first step but if you need to purchase another property, the search can sometimes be difficult - especially if we are in a short-supply market place so help to find your next home could be needed.