When you are selling your home you need persistence, luck and the best estate agent you can find. Picking the right agents to deal with your property sale is vital. An excellent estate agent can make the process quicker, easier, and more profitable – especially in a competitive and fast-moving market like Essex. So, you need to know how to choose the best.
Here’s our guide to telling a great Essex estate agent from an average one.
Look for Recommendations
Start by asking around to see if friends and relatives have any recommendations for outstanding Essex estate agents. If someone you know gives an agent a five-star review, take a closer look at their business. But you don’t have to take the first recommendation you find. Check online reviews, too. Ask colleagues if they recommend anyone. The names people give can form your shortlist of Essex estate agents. You probably don’t want to automatically hire the first recommended name without checking whether their experience suits your needs, for example, your property type or home value.
Check the Track Record
Look at the names on your shortlist. See how many years’ experience each one has. How long have they been operating in your area? Do they have a track record of success in selling homes like yours? What is their average sale time? Bear in mind, however, that a fast time may not be the best indicator of success since this can be at the expense of price.
Consider the Valuation
Valuing a house in Essex is not a simple task. Be aware that an estate agent that tries to get your business may offer an inflated valuation of your property. This inflated valuation may not be realistic compared to market value. You may, therefore, find it more difficult to sell your house. On the contrary, you don’t have to take the lowest valuation. Just bear in mind that a valuation is not the only factor to consider when making your final decision. Ask the estate agents what they base their valuation on. The best estate agents in Essex are open and honest about their procedures and decision-making processes.
Look From All Angles
There are other factors that make the difference between a great job and a lacklustre service. People looking for houses to buy in Essex are attracted to open, honest, communicative estate agents that know the local area and what buyers are interested in. Look for agents with strong local knowledge. Assess whether the estate agents will be able to keep you in the loop and communicate their work as you go through the selling process. Think about things like marketing strengths and customer service. Fees are also a consideration. Check the estate agent’s website to see how they present their properties for sale. Think like a buyer and work out if the estate agent is making you an attractive offer. And, lastly, chat with the agents personally to see if the relationship is a good fit for your needs and personality.