What to Expect from an Estate Agent

Posted on August 21, 2017

As a homeowner, tenant, landlord or prospective buyer, at some point or another it’s likely that you’ll need help from an estate agent. Choosing the right estate agent for you and your upcoming property venture however isn’t easy, after all there are countless agents out there all of which claim to provide the very best service at the best possible price.

Knowing what to expect from an estate agent is a great place to begin, particularly if you are searching for a partner to help sell your home and move up the property ladder. In this guide, we provide a rundown of what to expect when hiring an estate agent so you can make an informed decision.

Fees

Knowing how much your estate agent will charge is perhaps the first question on every seller’s lips, after all any fees will eat into the money that is left from your property sale. Most estate agents work on a percentage fee, a fee that can be between 0.75 and 3.5% of the agreed selling price of your property.

There may be other costs involved, which you will need to be clear on before you enter into an agreement with your chosen Sunderland estate agency. Photography, For Sale boards, floorplans and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) may come at extra cost.

Marketing methods

At Hackett, we pride ourselves on using a variety of marketing techniques to get your property out there to a greater range of buyers, a fact that has only improved our success rate. Ensuring that you are clued up on the marketing methods your agent will use to sell your home is important and will give you an insight into the likelihood of selling your property and achieving your desired asking price.

Contract

As part of your collaboration you will enter into an agreement or contract. There are many contract types used by estate agents, including sole selling rights; ready, willing and able purchaser; multi agency; and sole agency. Always read the terms of your contract carefully, seeking legal advice if you are unsure about any clauses – tie in periods and future liability are areas to keep a close eye on. Your contract should provide you with the flexibility you need to complete the sale of your property and benefit you.

Choosing an estate agent for your upcoming property sale isn’t a simple task, but by hiring us to sell your home you can discover a friendly, personal, professional and transparent service every step of the way. Get in touch with our team today to get started.