How to deal effectively with estate agents, whether you are selling or buying a property

Estate agents are the best way to buy a home.

Most buyers today turn to the internet for their first port-of-call. This is understandable due to the property portals Rightmove or Zoopla. However, it can be helpful to visit an agent in person to get more information.

Why should you choose Petty Residential

We are a member of the RICS and are one of Lancashire’s most trusted independent agents in Burnley and Colne. Petty Real can help you throughout the entire process. Petty Real is a specialist in commercial and residential rental and estate agents burnley sales of properties, as well as having an in-house Legal, Financial, and Home Improvements consultants.

There are a few reasons why this is so. First, you can describe what you want from the property in detail.

Keep in touch

You shouldn’t just rely on the fact you have made an impression. You can call them on a regular basis to find out what’s new and whether it’s appropriate.

Do your research

Do your own research about the area. Don’t trust the estate agent. Do your own research about the area’s amenities, transport links, and recent sales of houses in the area.

Sites like Rightmove and Zoopla can prove to be very useful. These sites will inform you about what to offer when it comes time to make your offer.

Sending an offer

The vendor pays estate agents, not you. This is an important fact to remember. They are there to negotiate the best price for the seller and not for you.

They must accept any offer that you make and they must do so quickly. You can listen to their comments about the vendor and how eager they are to sell the property. But you have to make your own decision on what a fair price is.

Estate agents must send any offer you make to the vendor via letter. Ask for a copy.

Keep in touch with the agent until you receive an answer. Only then can your next move be planned.

Keep in touch – again!

You’re nearly there if the vendor accepts your bid. There are still many things that could go wrong, especially if you have an estate agent who is slow.

You didn’t chase down the estate agent and let your dream home slide by!

Selling through an estate agent

These days, you don’t need to sell your property through an agent. Many sites allow you to do it yourself. For more information, see The pros and cons about online estate agents.

These tips will help you if an agent is still necessary.

Do your research

Ask your family and friends for recommendations on good agents in your local area. To see the presence of different agents, check out the local newspapers and the boards for sale.

Get a variety of quotes

Do not settle for a single valuation. Invite at least three estate agents to your property to appraise it and ask them why.

Although it’d be nice to get the highest possible value for your property when you sell it, this shouldn’t affect who you choose.

Learn how to market the property

You are the estate agent. You need to be clear about what you’re paying. What are their plans to make your home available to the largest number of buyers possible? Are they online? Do they have an online presence?

Before you sign up, make sure you are happy with the sale of your property. Hold them accountable – don’t let them fool you if they don’t keep their end of the bargain.

Encourage them

You can always negotiate the fees you pay to an estate agent.

You can also use a fee ladder to encourage them to sell your house for the highest price. Their fee will increase if they sell at a higher price.