Choosing the right estate agent if you’re looking to sell your property in the Bromley area will hopefully help you sell your home quickly and make the whole process a lot less stressful. When it comes to choosing the right one for you, there are several questions to ask estate agents, in order to make your feel comfortable with your choice. After all, selling a property is a big deal to most people, and you want your experience to be a positive one!
Can you give some examples of properties you have sold recently?
Find out about the experience that an estate agent has in your area, how similar the properties they have sold are to your home and how long they were on the market for. If the properties are similar to your own, it shows that the agent has more relevant market experience to bring to the table and is likely to feel more confident when it comes to selling yours. At Bromley Property Company we are the local experts for the London Borough of Bromley, and we are familiar with the area, as well as offering realistic pricing. We know what sort of asking price will attract interest in the current market.
What percentage of the asking price do you usually achieve?
If an estate agent consistently sells properties close to the asking price, it can give you confidence that they are skilled at competitively valuing homes for sale. On the other hand, if an agent regularly has to significantly reduce the price of homes to get the sale, it may mean they are overvaluing. However, do bear in mind that the current, rapidly changing market conditions can impact any agent’s ability to achieve an asking price. There maybe reasons for a price reduction that you should take into account.
How will you market my property?
At a minimum a decent estate agent should put your property up on a national online property portal, such as Zoopla or Rightmove, provide professional photography, a floorplan, and offer to conduct viewings at your property. A REALLY good estate agent tailors their marketing plans and uses online advertising via social media platforms, targeting the method of advertising to the buyers that are likely to be looking for your home. For sellers who choose Bromley Property Company, the above comes as standard, with photos and videos of your property regularly shared and promoted across our 3 social media channels.
What are your fees and what’s included in them?
Before you decide which estate agent to use, ask for a detailed break-down of their fees. Asking for a full breakdown of costs from the start will help you avoid any unexpected bills. At Bromley Property Company we offer our services at an extremely competitive price, but this doesn’t mean that we’re compromising on quality – we provide the knowledge and support of a high street agent, but we aren’t tied to a high street office. This keeps our overhead costs low and allows us to pass these savings on to you. Our fee offerings start at 0.65% plus VAT (you host the viewings) and 0.75% plus VAT if we host the viewings – the choice is yours!
How often will you be in touch?
Some sellers like to receive regular updates whereas others prefer their agent to only get in touch with significant news. Use your first meeting as a time to clearly lay out what you expect from your agent.
Any other questions?
This is your opportunity to find out whether you’re confident with the agents ability to sell your property. Ask as many questions as you need at this stage to help you decide. Selling any property can be a daunting experience, so make sure you’ve got all the information you need to make the right decision.
Questions estate agents might ask you
Your prospective estate agent will want to find out more about your property in order to make a fully informed valuation. The more detail you can give the better. The agent will likely want to know whether you’ve previously tried to sell, whether you’re aware of any structural issues and how much you tend to spend on your utility bills. Most estate agents should be aware of the transport links and local schools and amenities, but if you’re having a valuation conducted by an online agent, they may ask for that information too.
