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Reputation

The Estate Agent Magazine Helping sellers & landlords choose the right estate agent

Tips on ‘Pricing it Right’ How View Agents can help you find an estate agent

MEET Adam Beatt

What are the qualities of a

successful estate agent?

Estate agent interview

Preparing your home for sale/letting

The role of a seller

Get an insight into the thoughts and views of a successful estate agent

Every home is unique Check out some tips in getting your home ready for viewings

Get some tips of what your role is as a home seller or landlord

Reputation The Estate Agent Magazine - 2022

PRICING IT RIGHT

Do your own research Use a property portal and try and nd some comparable properties on the market or recently sold/ let. However, this is ONLY a guide, as market conditions vary and no two homes are identical. You will also need to take into account that the ‘asking price’ is not the ‘sold/let price’.

Pro Tip Call in an expert This is the best option. Agents sell/let homes for a living. An experienced local estate agent will be able to guide you on a price range & should back that up with comparable sales/lettings.

Priced too high? You may not attract as many buyers/tenant viewings and may stay on the market longer, this may lead to potential buyers/tenants thinking there’s something wrong. On rare occasions, you might nd a buyer or tenant who really wants it. You also have more room to negotiate.

Priced too low? You may sell/let it faster but your goal would be to get as much as you can. Look for a happy medium. There is a misconception that if you receive an asking price offer early on, that you’ve priced it too low. In many cases, it simply means you priced it right. Remember, the right estate has the skills to negotiate the highest price for your home. If you require help choosing an estate agent, you can use our free concierge service, contact us at valuations@viewagents.com and we’ll help you choose an estate agent

2 - Reputation The Estate Agent Magazine - Feb/Mar 22

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Contents 2 Pricing it right 4 Meet Adam Beatt 6 Preparing your home 8 Role of a seller 9 Area Spotlight 10 Choosing an estate agent

Meet

Adam Beatt

Preparing your home for sale/letting

From the CEO We are excited to bring you this edition of View Agents Reputation Magazine. We hope we can offer home sellers and landlords some additional information in helping them select their next estate agent.

Domenic Versace

Human VS Technology. Prop Tech expert, Simon Whale, delivers a very insightful perspective on how technology is shaping the real estate industry

The role of a seller

CEO View Agents

What is View Agents? For home sellers & landlords We help sellers and landlords search and choose an estate agent to sell, let or manage their home. Visit viewagents.com For Estate Agents View Agents is a reputation management platform speci cally for estate agents. Helping estate agents Collect, Manage & Promote reviews & reputation. Our goal is to help agents grow their business and improve their online reputation.

CHOOSING the right estate agent

SUPPORTED BY

ARE YOU AN E S TAT E A G E N T ?

kerfuffle.com CONTRIBUTORS

Interested in your own reputation magazine?

Get in touch sales@viewagents.com

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“All

Martin & Co Keighley 2 North Street, Keighley, BD21 3S 01535 669588 www.martinco.com Martin & Co Saltaire 1 Daisy Place, Saltaire, BD18 4NA 01274 589132

What advice would you give someone thinking of starting a career in real estate? Con dence is essential; establish your own goals and objectives right away, and begin learning about the local property market.

What is the best thing about being an Estate Agent? I enjoy following a buyer's journey from the initial phone conversation to the handing over of the keys to their dream house. Our goal is to deliver the nest client experience possible, whether they are buying or selling, I love being a part of it.

What is your favourite part about the area/ community where you work?

ADAM BEATT

Being based out of two o ces, Saltaire & Keighley they are very di erent markets and o er all sorts of challenges. No day is the same.

What do you recommend to sellers/landlords in preparing their home prior to marketing?

W e s t Yo r k s h i r e Originally from Coventry, I travelled the world and lived abroad for a while before I decided to move to the best place I visited...Good ol' Yorkshire. In my free time, I am big a football fan & regularly go to watch Bradford City.

Adam Beatt Sales Manager & Valuer keighley@martinco.com saltaire@martinco.com

Our goal is to deliver the nest client experience possible.

“

What do you recommend that a seller or landlord should do prior to calling in an estate agent for a valuation? Do your research. Look at the most recent reviews, ask for recommendations, have the agents won any awards recently and most importantly look for the agent who promises to provide you with the best service.

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K E I G H L E Y & S A LTA I R E

The importance of preparation cannot be overstated. First impressions are important, so make sure your house is clean, tidy, and welcoming inside and out. Mow the lawn, put your shoes and coats away, patch up that two-year-old hole in the wall, and make your beds. Believe me when I say that it makes a di erence.

The importance of preparation cannot be overstated.

What are some important questions a seller or a landlord should ask you on a listing presentation & why?

Why should I instruct you? What are your recent successes in this area? Where will you market my property? Ask as many questions as possible so you understand the full package on o er and how the process works.

“

How did you get into real estate? Do you remember your rst day?

How do you manage seller/landlord expectations when they want to list their home well over the market value?

After working in the hospitality sector in both Bradford and Reykjavik, I felt it was time for a change. I've always been interested in estate agency, so when the opportunity to work as a Sales Negotiator arose, I leapt at it! My rst day was pretty much 'on the job,' and I learned a lot from my colleagues right away.

Firstly, I think it is key to understand the seller's price expectations and how they have arrived at that price, including what research have they done? It's about having an open and honest discussion, but at the end of the day, the market will respond and if priced fairly the interest will be generated.

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What is the best way of valuing a home? It is critical to conduct thorough research on every property, as well as the surrounding area and market. We've also lately invested in a fantastic valuation presentation system that allows the client to interact. Understanding the seller's situation, clarifying the process, and anticipating potential timescales, will help the seller get the best advice possible right away.

What constitutes a great marketing campaign and how do you execute it? The team starts contacting our database of hot purchasers as soon as we receive o cial instructions from our client. Once we have everything in place, including images, oorplans and descriptions, we will go to market. We use social media, all of the major property portals, and our own website to make sure that no stone is left unturned in our search for the perfect buyer. Do you like sellers/landlords (tenants) to be home when viewings are conducted? We much prefer carrying out the viewings ourselves, it gives us a chance to understand what the applicant is looking for and some potential buyers do nd it uncomfortable when the owner is at home.

How do you qualify prospective buyers or tenants? It is critical to qualify buyers. We go through a process to ensure they are a good t for the property. We'd want to hear what you're looking for in terms of the home itself, such as the number of bedrooms, outdoor space, parking, and overall condition. Have you talked to a mortgage adviser about your nancial situation as well? Is it a cash purchase? Is it necessary for you to sell your current residence?

“

No stone is left unturned in our search for the perfect buyer.

What are the key aspects when negotiating a house sale/let?

Communication. Listen to all sides, be fair and get as much information as possible.

How much of a team e ort is it when selling or letting a home? We couldn't give the kind of customer care we do without a well-run and established team. Working together gives our clients the best results and allows us to maintain a smooth operation.

After negotiating a sale, how do you deal with the after-sales? We have our own dedicated Sales Progressor, who solely takes over the deal once the memorandum of sale is sent out to completion and keys handed over. They are there to provide a helping hand throughout the process and always on the end of the phone or email if you have any questions or any issues that may arise.

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letting your property?

You must put in a lot of e ort & dedication.

How important is having a good reputation in this industry?

Reputation is essential. We have recently won Gold in the Best British Estate Awards for Bradford North and the 2021 View Agents Trusted Agent Award. Buyers and Sellers are putting their trust in us to deliver the service they need and we believe we have a good record in doing so. How important are reviews to your business? Reviews are an excellent way to engage with your customers online and build trust, which is essential for any successful business. Customers will become more con dent in your ability to deliver on your promises if they see you engage with reviews and use them to enhance your business to provide an even better service.

What qualities do you need to be a successful estate agent? To become a great estate agent, you must put in a lot of e ort and dedication, as well as master the fundamental abilities of communication and negotiating. You must be truly enthusiastic about getting sellers the greatest deal and matching buyers with their perfect house.

To manage seller/landlord expectations, what time scale do you put on selling or letting a home? Expectations must be managed from the initial meeting, at the valuation, and all the way through to completion. We must try to avoid disappointment by establishing in advance what can realistically be achieved.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A FREE PROPERTY VALUATION

top tips to 8 prepare your home for selling/letting

Your home needs to be well presented, ideally, look better than the competition, and have a neutral theme to appeal to more buyers/tenants tastes ‘Your goal is to present a tidy house that’s lled with natural light, feel spacious and practical' In fact, in most cases, to make your home appealing, you don’t need to spend loads of money. Some simple changes can make a big difference between your home sitting unsold until you eventually reduce the asking price or your home selling almost immediately for the full asking price.

5. Smells sells! Research suggests that smells in uence buyers, therefore use this to your advantage. Placing fresh owers in the kitchen and/or scented candles such as vanilla or cinnamon and even ‘cake baking’ smells have an impact. However strong or over-powering smells will put off potential buyers such as: pets, bins, cooking & smoking. Remember to air the house before each viewing.

PRO TIP

6. Back to basics Buyers want to visualise your home as their home. The function of some rooms can change; a spare room used for storage can become the of ce or a second TV room. Certain rooms hold a greater perceived value, think about converting rooms back to their original use. Remove furniture that looks too big for the room; clutter that isn’t essential to the function of the room will free up valuable space and help make your house looks bigger. Consistent light ttings, ooring and curtains also help.

Think of it as a business transaction, where you are making business decisions.

1. Deep clean the house Make sure it’s done properly, if you do, then you are already a step ahead of your competition. Include dusting, carpets & garden if you can afford it. Try your best to keep it clean & tidy until sold or let!

2. De-Clutter Have a clear-out. This will make your home look larger and a place that buyers or tenants can imagine themselves living in. Make sure there is a clear ow when walking around your home. Try doing a walk-through, as though you were on the viewing.

3. Complete outstanding DIY Small jobs left undone make a huge difference to the potential buyers/ tenants. When they can see you care and look after your home they may offer you more as they can see additional value.

4. First Impressions DO count!

7. Depersonalise your home Think of your home as a show home. These are effective sales tools as they are always anonymous. Buyers/ tenants want to imagine themselves living there, creating their own story. This can be dif cult if overwhelming evidence of you or family are everywhere. Remove some family pictures, trophies, children’s artwork. Your house needs to look lived-in without looking like anyone actually lives there.

8. Neutral tones

Potential buyers/tenants will be judging your house even before they knock on your door! Make sure that the external appearance

Natural light is great, bright rooms appear more spacious than dim/ dark ones. If necessary, use table lamps in rooms that need

is well-maintained and cared for; the outside needs to look as great as the inside. This includes the garden, driveway etc -a tidy, lawns mowed, litter removed and so on. Walk up & down your street and compare it to your neighbours.

a little lift. Colour is personal, it’s best to go with neutral colours instead of highly individualised interiors. Creating a blank canvas helps buyers imagine how they would live in it and it will appeal to more tastes.

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IT’S NOT EVERYDAY YOU SELL YOUR HOME. HERE ARE 3 TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE AS A HOME SELLER

Viewings

Most home buyers will look at several homes before buying one. You will have competition. Ask your estate agent what they think you need to do to your home prior to the rst viewing. Keep it clean and tidy. There may be occasions where the agent will call you at the last minute for a viewing, where possible be exible. As you will be having potential buyers walking through your home, keep all valuables in a safe place and out of view. If you have pets, it would be advisable to keep them outside as there may be buyers who may not feel comfortable around pets, especially if the potential buyers have children with them. If you have kids toys or obstructions around the house, make sure it is safe to walk around.

PRO TIP

Communication

Always keep the agent up to date on any changes. For example, if you go away for the weekend or you go away on a vacation. This will help the agent if there is a last-minute viewing and they’re trying to get a hold of you. In this situation, it may be advisable to leave a spare key with the agent. If you are planning a family event and you do not want the agent to conduct a viewing, try and give the agent plenty of notice. If you make any changes to the property let your agent know. For example, if you install a new boiler or you x a leaking roof. This will help the agent when asked speci c questions by a buyer. The key to any successful sale is open communication

Ask the estate agent whether it’s best you remain in the home whilst they conduct the viewing. If you do remain home, allow the agent to do their job, they are the experts. Unless the agent asks you to, don’t walk around on the viewing with them, it may make buyers uncomfortable.

Negotiating

Most home sellers have an emotional attachment to their homes. Potential buyers won’t have that attachment, to them, your property is seen as a piece of real estate. Therefore, if the agent submits a low offer, don’t take it personally. The negotiation for your home can vary widely. In some cases the negotiation is straight forward or take weeks of back and forth negotiations. Always keep an open mind and remember that an experienced agent will know how to negotiate for you.

The key to any successful sale is open communication 8 - Reputation The Estate Agent Magazine

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Role of a SELLER

AREA SPOTLIGHT

WEST YORKSHIRE West Yorkshire has a population of 2.3 million, with Leeds being the largest city. In 1853 Sir Titus Salt built the impressive textile mill and surrounding town of Saltaire to help improve the working & living conditions of its workers. Now the Grade II listed building is used as an art gallery & shopping centre. It houses many paintings of the local artist David Hockney, Bradford born, whose 1972 work ‘Portrait of an Artist’ was sold in 2018 for £70m & at the time was one of the most expensive artworks by a living artist to be sold at auction. The Dalton Mills, located in Keighley, was once thought to be the largest former textile mill with 2000+ employees. It was also used as a set for the Peaky Blinders Series.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE (SALES)

£281,000 AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE (LETTINGS)

£1,177 pcm

Famous People From Yorkshire Dynamo - Magician Jonny Bairstow - Cricket Player Brontë Sisters - Writers David Hockney - Artist Joseph Bramah - Invented hydraulic press Dame Judi Dench - Actress Ed Sheeren - Singer/ Songwriter

Choosing an Estate Agent

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For most of us, our home is the most expensive asset we will ever own. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right estate agent and know you’re in safe hands.

1. Not all estate agents are the same Choosing the right estate agent is a very important decision, there are differences between all estate agents. Carry out your due diligence before choosing, here are some examples of how estate agents may vary: • Levels of service • Marketing ability • Knowledge / Experience • Professional bodies & quali cations • Fees • Track record

2. Do your research View Agents has over 17,000 estate agents listed and over 350,000 estate agent reviews. It is a comprehensive estate agent search platform, that helps you compare and choose. We advise you to invite more than one agent so that you can get a good understanding of what makes each agent different. If you have dif culty choosing, email us at valuations@viewagents.com and we can recommend agents to you.

3. Ask questions & feel comfortable In some cases, a home sale can take several months from listing presentation to completion. Therefore your relationship with your chosen estate agent is important. You need to feel comfortable communicating with them and make sure you ask plenty of questions. Remember, if your property is being let and then managed by an agent, then that relationship may last several years.

4. Select an agent to sell or let/manage your home Once you’ve weighed up all your options then you will need to select an agent. The agent will then place your property on the market and the marketing process will begin. Good luck!

11 - R e p u t a t i o n T h e E s t a t e A g e n t M a g a z i n e

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We recommend Adam Beatt from Martin & Co Saltaire/Keighley if you’re thinking of selling your property

Click here to FIND OUT MORE

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