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If you sell your own house, you will save a substantial sum (the typical estate agent's fee is between 1.5 and 2 per cent, which pays 2,250-3000 pounds on a 150,000 pounds property). The drawback is the time and work that you will have to put in yourself. If you try but fail to sell your house, you won't save anything, but you still lose the time and the opportunity to move. Experience In any field, experience is valued. Someone who has spent years helping people buy and sell property should be able to forestall problems, keep the process moving efficiently and effectively, and offer informed advice when decisions are required. Sales and marketing Selling is a skill. No one is going to persuade an unwilling buyer to purchase your property, but a professional sales person will be able to communicate effectively, pointing out advantages and answering queries that might otherwise have put someone off. In addition, a good agent will have the resources to market your property nationally via their website. Security Inviting strangers into your home carries a risk. You don't know who they are and you can't vet them, but you could find yourself alone with them in your home. An agent who accompanies viewers means that you won't be put in a vulnerable position. Avoiding time-wasters You can never be sure if a viewer is genuinely interested in your property, and some people seem to make a hobby of looking around houses when they have no intention of buying. A good agent will check if the buyer is serious and ask if they have a Mortgage Agreement in Principle. If they haven't arranged a loan (which means there's no guarantee they can afford to buy), the agent can set this in motion. Accessibility Any decent agent will have someone available to talk to potential property buyers. You might not be able to do this. Get the best agent When choosing an estate agent , read the advice your local property market and only choose agents that you have checked are current members of one of two redress schemes. These are the Property Ombudsman and the Ombudsman Services: Property. This should give you an idea of which agents are not just marketing properties like yours, but selling them. In a high street with six agents, only two or three may be right for you, so always research by asking locals for recommendations. Also look at who is advertising properties like yours in the local paper and possibly on the internet. Estate agents tend to specialise. There is not point asking one who usually sells large houses with land to market a small flat. A common mistake when choosing an agent is the 'board count' method where potential sellers count how many boards (for sale and sold) and choose the agent with the most. However, there are some agents that offer high valuations to increase their market share, so they have the most boards. The only boards you should count should be the 'sold' boards as this gives a truer indication of success. Since October 2008, two redress schemes have been formed and estate agents must belong to one of these schemes. The two schemes are the Property Ombudsman and the Ombudsman Services: Property. Members of these schemes must keep an accurate written record of their client interaction for six years. If you have a complaint to make, this makes it easier for you to resolve as there is an independent third party that will handle your complaint - for free. They work as a body in the manner they work hard to protect you throughout the overall property transaction from beginning to end.
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