Good enough to buy from – but not good enough to sell through…?

There can be no greater insult for an agent than finding out that a buyer who has had an offer accepted on a property through you, subject to the sale of their own, is considering the option of inviting another agent to sell it.  It should, considering that they are buying through you, be a given that they will instruct you to sell theirs.

After all, you’ve demonstrated your professionalism and ability ‘not to drop the ball’ during their purchase negotiations, built up a rapport, so you should have their instruction in the bag. Shouldn’t you?  It’s a bit of an insult then, to find out that this potential vendor, despite their positive experiences with your company, still ’t feel the need to consult with your competition. And that of course, is the last thing you want.

The reasoning and rationale

Thankfully, scenarios like this are a rarity of course. If you’ve done your job properly, then a purchaser with a potential related sale should ‘fall into line’ and  instruct you to sell theirs. It does raise however, the interesting question of why they feel the need to seek 3rd party opinions from other agents. Rarely is it about price. It probably has everything to do with their perception that other agents in your patch will do more to expose their home. Usually, ‘the bigger agents’.

And it follows on that there are many other potential vendors out there who share the same view. These are the very ones who may never call you out.

So why don’t more agents offer more?

Any potential vendor wants their chosen agent to be seen to be ‘doing the best’ to get a buyer and achieving the best price. High visibility on the portals for their property is paramount. So it’s pretty amazing that there are a considerable number of agents who don’t feel the need to offer floorplans, virtual tours and pro photos as standard, or at least, as an option.

If you’re currently spending shed loads on vendor mailshots, improved lighting, facias and displays for your office, and newspaper adverts that’s great. But it ignores the fact that when it actually comes to marketing a clients home on the places that matter, i.e. the portals, many agencies fall well short.

Look at what the market leaders (the big agents) are doing in your town and replicate it. Look at their listings, and Identify what it is that vendors really want to see from an agent. You’ll soon discover why they have a bigger market share.

Promoting your agency (as opposed to your listings) will only get you so far – you may be called out. But what about all the other potential vendors that simply didn’t call you because of the perception that your company doesn’t offer the best marketing?

With historically low stock for many parts of the UK, and competition fierce amongst local agents, why not take a look at how you can improve your property marketing across the board.  Don’t just tell potential vendors why they should invite you out to their property, show them!

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Enhancing Project Presentation with 3D Rendering Services

Imagine pitching a luxury hotel to investors using only blueprints and mood boards. They nod politely, squint at technical drawings, and promise to “think about it.” Now picture showing them a photorealistic walkthrough where sunlight streams through the lobby’s glass atrium, shadows dance across Italian marble floors, and they can virtually stand on the rooftop…
Read More
Breaking News

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England, but threat of new property tax removed from 210,000 homes   House prices in London and the South recorded their first fall in 18 months, driven by budget uncertainty and more homes for sale, boosting choice for home buyers. UK-wide buyer demand…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove trialling new Renovation Cost Estimator

Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, is trialling a new renovation tool with home-movers, designed to help buyers understand the potential renovation costs of a property. The new ‘Renovation Cost Estimator’ tool encourages home-movers to spend more time considering the renovation potential of homes listed on Rightmove. It aims to provide agents with more high-intent…
Read More
Breaking News

Strong rental supply continues amid seasonal slowdown in demand

Rental supply remained resilient in October, continuing the strong trend seen throughout 2025. Overall, year-to-date figures show new listings up 10% compared with last year, highlighting a sustained improvement in market supply. Average rents edged down by 3% in October 2025 compared with September 2025, settling at £575 per week. This slight dip aligns with…
Read More
Home and Living

Why Choose Wooden Blinds for Your Home?

When it comes to selecting the right window treatments for your home, wooden blinds have long been a popular choice for many homeowners. They not only offer a classic and timeless aesthetic but also provide practical benefits such as durability, versatility, and eco-friendliness. If you’re looking for window coverings that combine style with functionality, wooden…
Read More
Breaking News

Falling rates and rising wages ease first-time buyer challenge

Typical first-time buyer home now costs 5.9 times average earnings – the lowest ratio since 2015 Average monthly mortgage payment is now £1,087 – around £259 less than renting Inverclyde in Scotland is the most affordable location in Britain, Kensington and Chelsea in London the least affordable Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Lloyds: “Lower mortgage…
Read More