22^nd November 2018

Choosing an estate agent to sell your property in Chester is an important decision. After all, your home is likely to be one of the biggest assets you will ever trade. With so many estate agents to choose from, including traditional high street estate agents, online, and those offering a hybrid model, it can be confusing to know who will really have your best interests at heart.

This article outlines some important things to consider to help you choose the right estate agent to sell your property in Chester.

Am I getting my money’s worth?

Estate agency fees can range from fixed fees from £500 through to a commission-based rate below 1% and up to 3.5% of the sale price of your property.

Those offering a small fixed fee just list your property on Righmove and will often charge extra for arranging viewings, sales progression and insist that you use their panel of solicitors, which are not usually based locally. 

In order to get the best possible price for your home and for it be sold in the quickest possible time, you will want an agent that covers the entire sales process from start to finish. This includes accompanied viewings, full colour property brochures, floor plans, marketing online and with the local press and sale boards. It should also include the negotiation and managing the sales process right through to completion. 

It is important you are clear from the outset what your estate agency fees cover, so that there are no nasty surprises along the line.

Local knowledge and reputation

Choosing an estate agent who has in-depth understanding and appreciation for the local and regional market will ensure your property is marketed effectively to the right buyers and is priced correctly.  Look for an agent who has been established on your local high street for some time as this will be a good indication that they are very familiar with the local market. Also look to see how many properties they are marketing on Rightmove that are priced similar to yours, and whether they have a good display of sale boards up in your local area.

A good local agent will have built up good working relationships with local solicitors, mortgage advisers and surveyors who they will be able to recommend to you and your purchaser. By using a good local team of professionals, you are more likely to obtain the best price for your house and have a hassle free fast sale.

Feedback on viewings

One of the most common reasons people get disappointed with their estate agent and then turn to us to sell their property is that their previous agent did not give any feedback on viewings.  It’s a really important part of the sales process to have feedback from people who have viewed your home. Not only does it help you get a better understanding of your target buyer it also tells you whether you need to lower your asking price to attract greater interest. 

Ask about how the agent proposes to give feedback on viewings to avoid being left in the dark during the sales process.  

Support throughout the sale

An estate agent is not only there to help attract the right buyer to your property, they can also help speed up the sales process. A good estate agent will be in regular contact with your buyers, their solicitors and your solicitor to ensure that nothing is holding up the exchange process and move things along to a smooth completion. 

Ultimately, there is a lot more to choosing an agent than what fees they charge.  A lot of it comes down to expertise, support and experience that all need to be carefully considered. Matthews is the longest established family-owned estate agents in Chester and our proactive approach to selling property has meant that clients come back to us again and again.

Why not contact us for a free property valuation today to find out how we can help.