Sian’s top tips on choosing the estate agent that’s right for you.
As featured in our latest issue of Cwtch magazine.
Selling a home can feel overwhelming, but for over a decade we’ve been making the sales journey a successful, stress-free and positive experience for our clients. Nobody can predict precisely how the property market will next shift, but the right estate agent can certainly make the process of selling your home a lot less stressful while also dramatically increasing the chances of finding the right buyer who will purchase for the right price in a timely manner.
So let’s break down the first steps together.
Aim to get three valuations
Getting valuations from three estate agents will give you a good indication of the price your home will sell for. You’d expect most agents to price similarly based on local market trends, recently sold values and an accurate understanding of your home’s features, so be sure to question any trend- bucking prices.
Don’t forget, the highest property valuation doesn't necessarily mean it's the best! Some agents may overvalue properties in order to secure new business, which can lead to a property becoming stale on the market, resulting in a reduction in price down the line. At CPS Homes, we pride ourselves on being straightforward and transparent, and always provide an honest appraisal that reflects current market conditions.
Do your checks!
Be sure to look at online reviews, ask opinions of friends and neighbours, check the experience of the sales team and speak to them directly to see if you believe a strong and positive working relationship can be built. Fees can also vary considerably, so ascertain exactly what’s included in an agent’s standard package and look out for extra charges. Check their industry credentials and consider the team.
Make sure the agent is a good fit & they take the time to listen
Perhaps the most important of all is finding an estate agent who you can trust. You want your agent to have your best interests at heart at all times, to give you honest advice and to do all that they can to help you sell your home to the right buyer at the right price.
Good agents will want to understand your motivations for moving to ensure the best offer pairing later. They’ll offer a home staging consultation on preparing your home for marketing and viewings, which is one of our favourite parts of the process. Getting to know you and learning more about the most treasured parts of your home helps us paint a picture for buyers in our video tour and photographs.
Ask questions!
Don't be afraid of asking the agent about properties they have sold in that particular location in the past, and whether they have prior experience of selling properties just like yours. You could also look at homes for sale around the surrounding streets and areas to see which agents they are selling their properties with.
Do you have a property to sell in Cardiff? For a chat about the next steps you can reach me on 02920 454555 or email sian.hiatt@cpshomes.co.uk. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know more about you and your home!
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
