Use a property portal and try and find 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’.
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.
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 find a buyer or tenant who really wants it. You also have more room to negotiate.
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
nally landed rst trainee sales negotiator role with Bairstow eves Countrywide in 2004 in Hayes Middlesex. The training was incredible and It took me 9 months to earn my first company car. I was on a £10k basic with an average fee of £200 so I was hungry to earn being a mother to 2 children. I would have 20 people standing outside a house we were just booked to value and the lister would say ‘Emma…we haven’t even been instructed yet’ and I would say…’Well, we’ll have it sold so, of course, they’ll instruct us!’ And they did. Regularly so I grew a name for myself in the local
Getting down to the nitty-gritty of what people really want and why, and then finding it for them. Not forcing them to buy something they hate. But also negotiating, I thoroughly enjoy learning how to get everyone to meet in the middle when we are at a stalemate. I have made some really good lifelong friends from clients over the years. Being an honest agent seems to be hard to come by, so people trust me.
I have been out viewing with Katie Piper but she bought with someone else in the end.
Emma Benwell Director
Taking control of the transaction as an agent is so important. If a buyer or a tenant are dictating to me, I am not in control and I have to be in control in order to get things done effectively. But in order for this to happen, I have to have built a good rapport with the clients throughout the registration and viewing process. Setting deadlines and letting them know if they do not meet those deadlines, they most likely will lose the property to the next person in line.
How important is having a good reputation?
For me, it always has been and always will be the most important thing. My conscience wouldn’t let me sleep at night if I let somebody down or did something to upset them. Buyers or sellers, it really doesn’t matter. A good reputation goes a very long way and my self-employment relies solely on this.
What are some important questions a seller or a landlord should ask you on a listing presentation?
How long does the process normally take? How long might it take to find my buyer? Shall I start looking for a property now? Do I tell my tenants I’m selling (if rented)? Do I ask my tenants to leave now? Can you recommend a financial advisor and solicitor? How do you plan to sell my house? If we get multiple offers how will I or you decide which buyer to go with? How long does it take from when we find a buyer to when we are moving home? Will you be progressing my sale for me?
Knowing my area, being an expert in my area is essential. I put together a best price guide with comparable properties which are sold and unsold. I obtain as much information about the house and its current condition as possible, I measure up and calculate a pounds per square foot figure based on what I know is being achieved in that postcode today.
How much of a team effort is it
when
After negotiating a sale, how do you deal with the after-sales. Getting deal to completion?
I set deadlines for the buyer to meet, I set anticipated exchange and completion dates for the solicitor to work towards and within 48 hours I expect solicitors & mortgage brokers to be instructed and fees on account for searches and surveys. Ideally, at least 1 party will be using the solicitors I work with who are amazing and who I trust completely.
I will not bother the solicitors but merely ask for updates as and when I expect things to have progressed.
I have built my success and my reputation on being personal and working with my clients to meet their needs. I am kind and I am not just about the money. I genuinely care about my clients and their circumstances. I will advise and guide them continuously throughout the process, I am the only point of contact.
“I genuinely care about my clients & their circumstances. “
What makes you different from your competitors?
What is the best way of valuing a home? What steps do you take?
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 filled 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.
Think of it as a business transaction, where you are making business decisions.
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!
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 flow when walking around your home. Try doing a walk-through, as though you were on the viewing.
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.
Potential buyers/tenants will be judging your house even before they knock on your door! Make sure that the external appearance 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.
Research suggests that smells influence buyers, therefore use this to your advantage. Placing fresh flowers 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.
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 office 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 fittings, flooring and curtains also help.
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 difficult 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.
Natural light is great, bright rooms appear more spacious than dim/ dark ones. If necessary, use table lamps in rooms that need 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.
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 first 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 flexible.
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.
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.
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 fix a leaking roof. This will help the agent when asked specific questions by a buyer. The key to any successful sale is open communication
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.
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Choosing the right estate agent is a very important decision, there is a difference 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 & qualifications
• Fees
• Track record
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 difficulty choosing, email us at valuations@viewagents.com and we can recommend agents to you.
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.
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!
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.
