While some homeowners try and sell their properties themselves, most flats and houses are still sold through an estate agency service. So, while you may think you can sell your property easily enough without the help of an estate agency service, you are unlikely to be able to move successfully without using an estate agency.
An estate agency can make a huge difference to how efficiently and quickly the sale goes through. Essentially, the agent acts for the current owner, or seller, who pays them a commission. This will be a percentage of the sale of the property, and the fee can vary considerably, depending on what's negotiated.
Estate agents value properties and market them to prospective buyers, and arrange and hold viewings. Many estate agencies also provide extra services such as surveying, conveyancing and mortgages. They will also manage offers, liaise with other professionals involved and hand over the keys on completion day.
If you are buying through an estate agency service, you don't normally pay a fee, since it would not be ethical for an agent to charge both parties in a deal. But it is in the interests of estate agents to help buyers, since, without them, there would be no sale.
As with using any other kind of service, the trick to getting the most out of an estate agency service is to be very clear on what you want. Have a specific location in mind, and be very aware of the size of house or flat you're after, and the price you can afford. That way, an estate agency is more likely to take you seriously as a buyer worth spending time with.
Contact several estate agents in the area you want to move to, and ask for their list of houses for sale. If you can't visit the area yourself, it's worth thinking about ringing the local newspaper and asking the editorial department for names of long-established, reputable agents. As well as checking the local press, you can also browse online, or chat to others who may have used an estate agency in the same area. Equally, agents with a lot of 'For Sale' boards in the area could well be dynamic and successful, but don't rely on that alone. Of course, you can also think about popping into their office for a chat.
Have a list of questions prepared for when you first meet an estate agent. Find out how long they have been in business, and their experience of selling properties like yours. Equally, find out if they have buyers on their books looking for a similar place to yours. Ask how viewings will be handled, and how the agent will advertise your home. Also, you need to know how much the estate agency charge, how they handle complaints, how they manage property chains and how they arrived at the valuation for your home.
Finally, good old-fashioned gut instinct can also help you decide whether a particular agent is right for you.
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To search for property for sale in your local area, or for more about finding an estate agency click here,
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