The Island’s property market continues to test us with homeowners wondering if now is the right time to market their property and if so which agent to use. The summer months are upon us and lighter evenings mean longer viewing hours therefore it is the perfect time of year to sell your home. Below is a 7 step guide to choosing the right agent to sell your home...After all; your ultimate goal is to sell and in doing so it is crucial you get it right from the outset:
1. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE A HIGH STREET AGENCY
A traditional high street estate agency will have an office that you can visit and will take care of every stage of the selling process in return for a full-service fee when the sale goes through. Online agencies usually charge an up-front fee for marketing and you may need to deal with a lot of the selling process yourself including carrying out your own viewings. Shortlist your considered agencies.
2. FIND OUT IF THEY ARE THE AGENT FOR YOU – GO AND SEE THEM!
When you visit, how do they respond to you? Do you feel welcome? Are they helpful? Is it a professional and friendly environment? If you feel comfortable, book the appraisal. If not, it’s best to walk away.
3. THE VALUATION OF YOUR PROPERTY
When the agent arrives pay attention to their punctuality, politeness, professionalism and knowledge. They will tell you what they think the asking price should be and how much the property may actually sell for. Request to justify their opinions relating to value by showing comparables of similar properties that have SOLD.
4. HELP THE AGENT TO HELP YOU
A good agent will want to have an understanding of your circumstances and needs. Be honest about your circumstances and why you are selling. Everyone has particular requirements and a good agent will tailor their services to deal with them.
5. AGENTS FEE’S – WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Fees are usually a percentage of the selling price and most agencies will have an out of pockets expense if the property is withdrawn from the market. A good agent will explain all of this in detail and there should be no hidden costs. The amount you pay will depend on the services the agent is providing, the sale price and whether they are appointed as your "sole agent". Make a valued judgment based on the services the agent provides. Don’t assume that cheapest is best. It rarely is.
6. IT’S TIME TO DECIDE
You’ve now met the agents, had their opinions about price, found out what they will do for you and know what they will charge, you also need to factor in the fact that "people buy people" and you’ll certainly like some individuals better than others. It is often best to use just one as your "sole agent". The agent then knows they have a reasonable chance of selling the property and they will concentrate their efforts on doing so.
7. YOU AND YOUR AGENT – WORKING AS A TEAM
Now that you have chosen which agent or agents to instruct, call them up and give them the good news. Think of yourself and the agent as being on the same team. You are working in partnership to find a buyer who will pay the best price for the property within a time-frame that suits you. You’ll be more likely to succeed in doing that if you work closely together.
Despite a lack of improvement in terms of house prices we can continue to be encouraged in the knowledge that transaction levels are improving by the month and if this continues then the Island should see a stable term ahead albeit this will be measured in years and not months.
Mark Canty
Director
