Choosing your Estate Agent

Decisions, decisions…we are rapidly approaching one of the busiest times of the year for properties being introduced to the market and there are lots of things to consider when choosing the estate agent to handle the sale of your home.
John Ansell, General Manager of Boothroyd and Co outlines his thoughts on those all important things to consider when making that choice.
My view is rather a simplistic one to selling houses, and there are indicators that I constantly look at to ensure we achieve on behalf of our clients.
Firstly, we need to ensure everything is available before going to market. So that means, professional photography, floorplans, quality and informative particulars, window cards prepared and a viewing strategy with our clients. No gimmicks, but ensuring we are informative to buyers from the point we go live with your property. So, it might take a couple of days, but the result is worth it. The indicator that I use for the initial marketing is how many detailed views our properties receive on rightmove. For 2017 our average to date has been 97.5 views per property per day. A full 12 views, per property/per day more than our closest competing agent.
Secondly, get the price right. Sounds simple, but it is imperative marketing commences at the right price. Buyers are looking for the property that offers best value, and long gone are the days when people make offers way off the asking price. To maximise your sale price we have to ensure you are constantly receiving traffic through your door. If we achieve this then we guarantee you the best possible price in the sale of your home. In 2017 we have achieved in excess of 97% of our asking prices. So when having your house valued don’t be afraid to ask the agent what percentage of their asking prices do they achieve.
Thirdly, I look at the number of houses we sell in comparison to the number of houses we place onto the market. So, for every 5 properties we place onto the market, we sell four of them. There is one agent with a better ratio in Kenilworth, but we have placed nearly 3 times as many properties onto the market in that time.
Statistics aside, my final piece of advice would be to visit the office before engaging the services of an estate agent. This can be your eyes to the world. Do they have the people to deal with the enquiries that are generated on your property, and the ability to generate activity on your property? Are they welcoming and enticing to buyers?
We constantly strive to improve these ratios, and in doing so improve the chances of our clients achieving their aim of selling their houses. So, as I said at the beginning my view is simplistic, but it achieves results.
To discuss how we can assist in your sale please contact me for a consultation on 01926 857244