How to choose the right estate agent for you.

So you've decided that you want to move, you've decided that the time is right, and you may even have decided where you want to move to, but how do you decide which estate agent to use?

Many of us ask friends and family for recommendations, or perhaps there is one agent in your town that seems to be the biggest and sells the most houses, and they seem like the obvious option. However, choosing the right estate agent to sell your home can impact the experience more than you may think. The agent with the most sales or the biggest office might not be right for you. The agent that helped your friend might not be the best for selling a house like yours.

And after recommendations, many homeowners compare agents based on their fees and property valuations. But these factors are largely irrelevant, which is why.

Because the fee will only be payable by you if the property actually sells, meaning, if the agent doesn't perform, then they will not charge you anything. And if they over-value your property, whether due to lack of experience and local knowledge or vanity in an attempt to attract you to sign a contract with them, the chances are there will be no sale anyway. This will, in turn, mean the fee will not be charged.

So, it is clear that these metrics, although relevant to the amount of cash you end up with in your pocket at the end of your move, are not applicable when choosing an agent. If you select an agent based on cheap fees or the highest valuations, the chances are that you might not be moving anyway.

So, what key things do you need to consider?

• Evidence - look for an agent that can give you an estimated valuation based on evidence, not just a hunch or an attempt to flatter you. With a considered approach, experience and a close analysis of the market, a good agent should be able to give you an accurate valuation for the likely sale price of your property. This careful analysis will mean that your home should sell in a reasonable time rather than sitting languishing on the market, resulting in price reductions to get that sale.
• Strategy—Taking a few quick photographs on their phone and posting them online is not a marketing strategy. An agent should be able to demonstrate their process for selling a property with a plan of action to attract as many buyers as possible, generating viewings that should result in offers.

If ever there was a time not to bargain hunt and scrap around for discounted fees, it is when you are selling your most valuable and highest investment.

You want the agent that will give you the best service, not the one that will do it for the lowest fee. You want an agent who can clearly demonstrate their marketing skills and showcase your property to the right buyer, not just post some images online. You want an agent that can think proactively, utilise innovative technology and demonstrate their expertise and skills to sell your home.

And let's not forget, the fee that an agent charges will only be payable if they successfully sell your home. When you accept an offer, and perhaps more importantly when you complete the sale and move, wouldn't you be happy to pay the fee?

Selecting an agent who is unable to sell your home can have dramatically adverse effects on the marketing and price you ultimately sell for. Opting for an agent with a clear strategy and experience will ensure a successful sale.

If you are looking for help with selling your home, get in touch with our team of property experts. They are ready to demonstrate their skills, strategy, unrivalled experience and innovative technology to help you sell your property and move on to your dream home.