Do you need a Qualified Estate Agent?
Choosing an estate agent is critical. The role they play in managing the sale of your property can increase or decrease the strain of what is already one of the most stressful experiences you can go through. Add onto this the reason for the sale; separation, a new arrival, expanding family or needing to release much needed cash and what seems a simple process can snowball.
There are three key criteria in choosing an estate agency;
1. Qualified
2. Professional & Personal
3. Fair & Transparent Pricing
Qualified: Unbelievably less than 10% of all estate agents in Scotland are qualified and hold Technical Awards in Residential Sales from National Federation of Property Professionals (source; National Association of Estate Agents Jan. 2017) This means anyone can set up and sell your home without studying the Estate Agency Act. Would you all a dental technician to perform root canal treatment? To ensure you are engaging with a qualified agent #lookoutforthelogo.
Professional & Personal: Gone is the image of sharp suits and sharp sales tactics. Estate Agents are there to get the absolutely best price for your home, communicate on terms that suit you best and make the process as easy and simple as possible. Check feedback scores and what their social media looks like. Does their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages reach you and make you feel you would be in safe hands. Do your research.
Fair & Transparent Pricing: What to look out for:
Is there a marketing fee?
Does this include VAT?
IS there separate commission on sale of the property and how much is this?
What is the total amount this will cost?
Ask these questions.
The majority of estate agents will all advertise using the same portals; Rightmove, S1 Homes, Prime Location and Zoopla. The three criteria above will demonstrate whether this is a firm you want to work with or not.
There are so many horror stories of selling houses, and part of what we want to do is take the fear out of this and work with you on selling your home for the best price, at the pace you want, with the level and type of communication you want.
By Sandra.hill@bailescotland.com
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