28 Apr 5 questions to ask yourself before choosing an estate agent

Buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords all have one thing in common – they need to choose an estate agent to guide them along the way. And if you’re currently trying to find one, there’s a few questions you should be asking that will help you in the process of choosing an estate agent. 

What is your experience?

From how long they’ve been working in the local area to how they became an agent, by understanding their experience in the local market and property as a whole, you’ll get a better picture of whether they’re the right person for the job. Consider whether you want an agent who might be new to the job but an expert in the local area or whether you want a tried and tested agent that has years of general experience in the industry. There isn’t a right or wrong answer and by talking to someone at the company, you’ll probably get a good feel for them. 

Have you helped many people like me recently?

For sellers and landlords, you’ll want to know whether the agent has successfully sold or let properties just like yours in the past few months. Buyers and renters may want to know how many times the agent has successfully found a property for individuals. As well as this, you might want to know how long the process took and whether any testimonials have been left. That way, you’ll be able to determine exactly what the experience was like. 

What does your registered database look like?

Again, as a seller or landlord, it can be wise to ask whether the agent has registered buyers and tenants on their database who are looking for properties just like yours. In contrast, if you’re a buyer or tenant, you may want to look at what types of properties the agent is currently listing – before going any further.

Can you tell me about your team?

Not only is it a good idea to get to know the range of experience in a team but also how many people there are and what individual roles they have. For example, will viewings be carried out by one person and admin by another? Is there someone who deals with out of hours requests? Putting a face to a name can also help to personalise the process. 

Why should I choose your agency?

This is a great opportunity for the estate agent to highlight why they’re different – and don’t just be drawn in because they say they’re cheap. Listen out for recent award wins, evidence of quick selling and letting, happy customer reviews and ways they’re using modern technology and social media to bring their business into the future. Not only can this highlight an excellent service offering but that they’re dedicated to meeting current and future customer demand.

When it comes to finding the right estate agent for you, these are just a few questions. For sellers and landlords, you might also want to consider any fees, where the property is marketed and the value they believe your property is worth. Buyers and tenants, on the other hand, may want to know what the process is and how they’ll be supported. 

What’s more, whatever your position, the team at Kaytons would be delighted to help. You see, we’ve been supporting people just like you in the local Manchester area since 2012. Throughout this time, we’ve expanded our offerings, have been accredited in the industry and even tapped into modern technology to ensure a better experience. Don’t just take our word for it though. Why not pop in to see exactly what we mean?!