Five Questions to Ask When Appointing an Estate Agent
What do they do for their commission?
Putting a property on Rightmove and waiting for the phone to ring might cut it in a frenzied sellers’ market, but generally, there’s a lot more to selling a property – especially if you want to ensure you’ve maximised the return on (probably) your greatest asset. Ask your agent what they’ll do to really earn their commission. You should be expecting a meticulously crafted marketing plan, which considers the buyer profile as well as assesses your property’s competition. The strategic positioning, pricing plans, targeted promotions and a carefully thought-out launch strategy are all important too. DOMVS does all of this, with the support of an in-house marketing department who’ll make your property as appealing as possible while achieving the best exposure from the right buyers.
Have they got access to buyers from London and the South East?
Most agents will have an existing database of local buyers. You’ll want to make sure they personally contact each of these buyers. Not just with an email update, but preferably a phone call. Sometimes emails are missed and a good agent will ensure your property is front and centre. You’ll also want reassurance that they have the muscle to find buyers from further afield. We all know how popular properties are in this part of the world, and those looking to relocate or buy a second home can be the difference between your property selling quickly or lingering on the market for months. DOMVS is part of The Guild of Property Professionals, with its 800+ branches and including the Park Lane office. We are also part of the Mayfair Office, meaning your property will capture the attention of a diverse and widespread audience.
Who conducts the viewings?
You should have a clear idea about how the viewings schedule will be structured. Will they have the flexibility to do visits out-of-hours to suit your and a potential viewer’s diary? Who will be doing the viewings and how familiar with your home’s nuances will they be? We have a personalised approach to viewings. All properties in Swanage and the surrounding areas will be looked after by the same person (me!) so you’ll have the same experienced professional who also collaborated with you on the launch plan. And I’ll work around you – because let’s face it, many people want to view houses when they’re not at work and I’ll make sure I accommodate this – if it suits you, of course.
What do their other clients say about them?
The best measure of an estate agent’s credibility lies in the feedback from its satisfied clients. Ask other people who have used them to see if they stayed in constant communication, negotiated well on their behalf, and delivered a seamless selling experience. If speaking to previous clients is impossible, check their Google, Trustpilot or Facebook reviews. You should expect nothing less than a 5* experience.
Do they love your home as much as you do?
Do you get a sense they really care about, not just you, but your property too? Does it go beyond lip service? Your property shouldn’t simply be another Rightmove notch. The best estate agents operate beyond a transactional relationship and should see your property as a home filled with memories and potential. We aim to love and understand your home as much as you do. After all, as the saying goes, ‘a sale is the transfer of enthusiasm and there’s nothing we love more than hearing the stories behind every home we sell.
To find out how much your property is worth in the current market, get a house valuation here.
