Ask Your Agent for an Actual Marketing Strategy

When an estate agent comes to value your home, do not spend the whole meeting talking about the asking price.

Ask them exactly how they intend to sell it.

Putting a property onto Rightmove and Zoopla and then calling a few buyers is not much of a marketing strategy on its own.

I would want to hear more.

Will there be a social media campaign? Will the agent arrange an open house? Will the property be sent directly to buyers, developers and investors they already know? Who will conduct the viewings? Who will negotiate the offers?

You should also ask whether the person sitting in front of you at the valuation will remain involved.

With some agencies, the person who wins your instruction may not be the person who shows the property or negotiates the sale. You may hardly deal with them again.

Personally, I like continuity.

If somebody understands your property, knows why you are moving and has agreed the strategy with you, there is a lot to be said for having that person involved from beginning to end.

When comparing agents, compare their plans rather than simply their valuations and fees.

You are employing somebody to sell what is probably your most valuable asset. You should know what they are actually going to do to make that happen.