Choosing an estate agent is one of the most important decisions you will make when selling your home.
It can be tempting to simply choose the agent who gives you the highest valuation or quotes the lowest fee. However, neither necessarily tells you which estate agent is most likely to achieve the best result.
A good estate agent should understand the local property market, present your home properly, attract serious buyers, negotiate effectively and keep your sale moving once an offer has been accepted.
If you are planning to sell a property in Kettering or the surrounding area, here are ten questions worth asking before deciding which estate agent to instruct.
- How Well Do You Know the Kettering Property Market?
Property markets are local.
What is happening nationally can be very different from what is happening in Kettering, and there can even be significant differences between individual neighbourhoods, developments and villages within the same area.
A good local estate agent should understand what buyers are currently looking for, which types of property are attracting the strongest interest and how location affects demand.
That knowledge is particularly valuable when deciding how to position and price your home.
Ask prospective agents about their experience in your area and with properties similar to yours.
- How Have You Calculated My Property Valuation?
An estate agent should be able to explain the reasoning behind their valuation.
That may include recent comparable sales, properties currently competing for buyers, the condition and presentation of your home, its location, plot, parking, extensions, improvements and current market demand.
Be cautious about automatically choosing the agent who gives you the highest figure.
An unrealistically high asking price can initially sound attractive, but if buyers do not respond, the property may remain on the market before eventually requiring a price reduction.
The objective should be to establish an asking price that reflects the property’s value while creating sufficient interest among suitable buyers.
- Where Will My Property Be Advertised?
Simply putting a property online is not a marketing strategy.
Ask exactly how your home will be promoted.
Major property portals remain an important part of property marketing, but buyers increasingly discover homes through other digital channels too.
An effective modern marketing strategy may include property portals, the estate agent’s own website, buyer databases, social media, targeted digital content and direct communication with prospective purchasers.
At Brennan Bespoke, we believe property marketing should reach potential buyers wherever they are looking rather than relying on a single channel.
- What Will You Do to Make My Property Stand Out?
Buyers can scroll through dozens of properties in a single sitting.
Your home therefore needs to make an immediate impression.
Professional-quality photography is particularly important. Good photographs should make rooms look inviting and accurately communicate the property’s best features without creating unrealistic expectations.
The property description matters too.
Rather than simply listing the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, effective marketing should help buyers understand what it would actually be like to live in the property.
Ask an estate agent to show you examples of homes they are currently marketing. Would you be impressed if one of them were yours?
- How Will You Use Social Media to Market My Home?
Social media has changed how people discover property.
Not everyone actively searching for their next home visits a property portal every day. A potential buyer might first notice a property while browsing Facebook, Instagram or another digital platform.
This is particularly useful because property purchases are not always completely planned.
Someone may not believe they are ready to move until the right home appears in front of them.
At Brennan Bespoke, digital and social media marketing forms an important part of our approach. It gives sellers another opportunity to put their property in front of people beyond those conducting traditional portal searches.
- Who Will Conduct the Viewings?
Viewings are a crucial stage of the selling process.
Find out whether the agent offers accompanied viewings and how they follow up afterwards.
A good viewing is more than simply opening the front door.
The person conducting it should understand the property, be able to answer relevant questions and give prospective buyers the opportunity to properly experience the home.
Follow-up is equally important.
Buyer feedback can reveal whether there is a recurring objection to the property, presentation or asking price. It can also identify interested buyers who may need further encouragement before making an offer.
- How Will You Handle Offers and Negotiations?
Receiving an offer is exciting, but the first offer is not necessarily the final offer.
Your estate agent should act in your interests during negotiations while keeping discussions constructive.
There is also more to an offer than the headline figure.
The circumstances of the buyer matter.
Are they a first-time buyer? Do they have a property to sell? Is their property already under offer? Do they require a mortgage? How quickly are they hoping to move?
An experienced estate agent should help you assess the overall strength of an offer rather than simply passing a number from the buyer to the seller.
- What Happens After I Accept an Offer?
This is an extremely important question.
Agreeing a sale is not the same as completing one.
Once an offer has been accepted, solicitors, mortgage lenders, surveyors and potentially several other buyers and sellers within a property chain become involved.
Problems and delays can arise.
Good sales progression can make a significant difference during this period.
Ask prospective estate agents how frequently they chase a sale, who communicates with solicitors and other agents in the chain, and who will keep you informed.
You want an estate agent who remains involved until the keys are handed over.
- What Exactly Are Your Fees and Contract Terms?
Estate agency fees are important, but they should be considered alongside the service being provided.
Ask exactly what is included.
Check whether photography, floorplans, portal advertising, accompanied viewings and other marketing services are included within the quoted fee.
You should also understand the contract you are signing.
Ask about the length of any sole-agency period, notice requirements and whether there are additional charges.
A slightly cheaper service isn’t necessarily better value if it results in weaker marketing, fewer suitable buyers or a lower eventual sale price.
- Who Will I Actually Be Dealing With?
Selling a home is a major financial transaction, but it is also a very personal experience.
You may be speaking to your estate agent regularly for several months.
Find out who will be responsible for your property and who you will contact when you need an update.
Communication should be straightforward.
You shouldn’t feel that you have to repeatedly chase your agent to find out what is happening.
Don’t Choose an Estate Agent on Valuation Alone
There is no single question that will tell you which estate agent to choose.
Instead, look at the complete service.
Consider local knowledge, marketing quality, communication, negotiation, sales progression and whether the agent has demonstrated a clear understanding of your property and your circumstances.
Ultimately, the best estate agent isn’t necessarily the one who promises the highest asking price.
It’s the one you trust to achieve the best possible outcome.
Thinking of Selling a Property in Kettering?
Brennan Bespoke combines local property expertise with a modern approach to estate agency and digital property marketing.
If you’re considering selling and would like to understand what your property could be worth in the current market, arrange your free, no-obligation property appraisal with Brennan Bespoke.
We’d be delighted to meet you, take a look at your property and discuss your options.
