What Should Your Estate Agent Be Doing For You?

This is a very good question and perhaps one that isn’t being asked enough. Estate Agency is one of those professions that doesn’t always have the best reputation – something we aim to change at Autograph! Unfortunately, there are often good reasons for this critical view. The industry has become tougher over the past 5-10 years and is now very different; it is not just about selling the property, more holding the sale together until exchange of contracts, it can be a real minefield! The following is a little summary of how Autograph Estate Agents operates and how we think estate agency should be.

First impressions: Everyone should be treated with respect and consideration whether you are a buyer or seller, with a budget of £100,000 or £1,000,000. When we answer the phone we greet you with positivity, honesty and professionalism. Without you, we have no business so ensuring our clients feel supported and valued is of upmost importance.

Presenting a property: It’s sometimes difficult to know where to start when getting your home ready to sell. We are more than happy to visit prior to the photographs being taken and give advice on how best to present the property. Getting the photos right is imperative and this means having the right amount of good quality images that showcase the property in its best light. We are here to guide you – any questions no matter how small they may be, please do ask.

Being enthusiastic: When talking to buyers about a property, getting the balance right between honesty and enthusiasm is key. An agent needs to be able to see the best in a property but if a house is scruffy or lacking in certain areas, we find it best to be upfront. There is no point in someone potentially viewing a house that they think is in beautiful condition, if its not. Equally, if the house is on a busy main road, this has to be disclosed. We have always been an advocate of honesty with enthusiasm and as we are bound by Consumer Protection Regulations, there are also legal reasons for this. For example, “Yes the property is on a busy main road but that means you’ll be able to get out when it snows and also offers great access for deliveries and ease of getting out and about.”

Who is the client?: The most important thing that often gets forgotten is who the agent is working for . When sales are low, it is too easy for some agents to advise their sellers to accept low offers. If the asking price agreed between the agent and seller is right, then it should be possible to achieve a sale within 2-3% of that price. Sometimes it takes a little longer, but our job is to do the best we can for the seller – we never forget that!

Guiding you through: At the end of the day, it can be a complex process and our job continues from agreeing a sale right through to completion. Our dedicated sales coordinator Samantha will be keeping all parties up to date and supporting you through the sale so you are never left wondering what is going on!