HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST ESTATE AGENCY FOR YOU

When buying and selling a house, it is essential that you have the proper support throughout the process. There are many steps to the process, and things can be a little confusing at times, so you should choose an estate agency that is best suited to you and your needs.

HIGH STREET ESTATE AGENTS

Different estate agents offer differing services, so it’s essential you choose one based on your budget, how much time you need to buy and sell, and how much support you require throughout the process.

A high street estate agent may be the type of agency you are most familiar with. You may see their offices on your local highstreets- you will commonly find them in towns and cities, but you may see some in smaller villages too.

These agents may be self-employed or working to a salary with commission. Highstreet estate agents are great in some cases as they’ll have excellent knowledge of the local property market and will be able to give you a realistic valuation based on the houses they’ve sold in the area. They may already have potential buyers looking for properties like yours, so your home may sell very quickly.

They will accompany viewings when you are not free, and they’ll filter out people who aren’t wholly interested in your property. High Street estate agents are perfect for busy people prepared to pay a higher fee for an estate agent to be more involved in the process.

However, these services will come at a higher cost. High street estate agents often charge a percentage of the final sale price, usually 1.2%, which can be very costly, especially if you’re selling a larger property.

Again, it would be best to reflect on your needs when buying and selling. It can be a tricky process for many, and although you are paying a higher fee, you are likely to receive better support.

ONLINE ESTATE AGENTS

Online estate agents will not have an office base that you can go to, and you will not be able to meet someone face to face. Especially in the current climate, this may be better suited to your situation- it may make the process more simplistic for you, and you may need someone to deal with your property from afar.

Online estate agents fees are often fixed and can be a lot lower than high street estate agent fees. You may be getting a less personal service, but if your house move is relatively straightforward and you require someone to oversee the move from afar, it may be worth saving the extra money.

If you would like more control over the sale of your property, then online estate agents may be your best option. You will schedule your viewings when best suits you and negotiate the deal directly with the buyers. If you are used to moving house or have a particular way that you’d like to navigate the process, then choosing an online estate agent would be ample.

You may also have the option to contact an online estate agent outside of traditional working hours. Their call centres are sometimes open at weekends or late into the evening, so you will have more ability to be in contact at times that are better suited to you.

HYBRID ESTATE AGENT

A hybrid agent is exactly what it sounds like, a combination of an online estate agent and your typical high street estate agent. Usually, hybrid estate agents will offer the services of high street estate agents without the overheads of office space.

Hybrid agents have a considerable advantage when it comes to price points. As they don’t have to pay for the office space, they make savings that they can then pass down to their clients.

They offer a personal experience much like what you’d receive with a high street estate agent, but you save on price. Hybrid agents may also take on a smaller caseload of clients, offering more time to both the client and the buyer.

OTHER TIPS TO CONSIDER

Once you’ve decided what type of agent is best suited to you, you should consider the additional services that they may offer. Every estate agent will be different, so you may find it helpful to make a list of your needs and rank the importance of each one.

Here are some of the main things you should be looking out for when choosing your estate agent.

CONTRACTS – once you have signed the contract with a particular estate agent, you are bound to their terms, so read the contract carefully and be sure of what you’re signing.

Pay attention to the tie in and notice periods. If you’re unhappy with your agent’s performance during this time, you will not have the option to change. Usually, tie in periods can range between four and twelve weeks, and notice periods are often two weeks.

HIDDEN/EXTRA FEES – sometimes, estate agents will charge for photography and staging. This can be great if you want all the extra services covered by one agency, and at times it will make the process more straightforward. However, if you’re dealing with these things independently, make sure you know exactly what you are paying for before you sign the contract.

CHECK INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS – Estate agents are required to be members of The Property

Ombudsman Scheme so that complaints against them can be individually investigated.

Estate agents may also be members of trade bodies, meaning they’ll be obliged to comply with a code of conduct, indicating a higher level of professionalism. Trade bodies to look out for are:

Guild of Property Professionals

National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

There are so many different estate agents out there to choose from, and this blog aims to narrow down the options, so it’s easier for you to pick the estate agent that is right for you. We understand that moving house can be an exciting yet tricky experience. At https://alexanderlawrencemk.co.uk/, we provide services to help you navigate every step of your move, making the experience easier for you.