HOW TO INSTRUCT YOUR ESTATE AGENT AND WHAT TO EXPECT
You have chosen your estate agent, now what? If you are a seller, the next step is to get your property measured for the floorplan.
The agent will take photos of the property and put them up on their website so that potential buyers can see it.
They will also need to prepare the property for going on the market which means having any clutter cleared, getting rid of smells like cigarettes or pet odours and making sure everything is in good working order.
This article goes into more detail about the various steps, now you have decided which estate agent you would like to use to market the property.
What happens next?
When you instruct the estate agent, you will need to provide them with identification so they can market the property.
The agents will then come and photograph the property, preparing it for going on the market and get a floorplan to give potential buyers an idea of what space is like inside.
They will also need documents such as tenancy agreements if renting out, or any other legalities that may be needed.
Vendors also need to provide proof of ownership, depending on the situation for selling. If the vendor is moving proof of ownership could be a mortgage statement.
A copy of the land registry could also be bought for a few pounds. If the vendor is an executor of a deceased estate, we would need to see the will where the executor has full authority over the sale of the property. You can market the without the probate Certificate however you can’t exchange without the certificate.
When the property is photographed, it can be uploaded onto websites such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket and the details about the property including photos, floorplan and where it is situated can be sent to buyers.
These websites will then provide information for anyone who may be looking for a similar property in that area, as well as your own.
Now is a good time to have a long chat about what happens when they show someone around the house or when they get back from a viewing.
You may want to give them some general notes that might not be in your instruction book.
In terms of how quickly they can come back from a viewing and show the house again, it depends on how many buyers have been through and if they liked it. If none were interested, then there is no wait before you can do repeat viewings of your house.
Getting the property on the market quickly
One of the most important things to remember is the importance of getting your property onto the market as quickly as possible so you can get it sold for the maximum amount possible. It's also important to be realistic about how long it might take to sell, and allow enough time for viewings, negotiations etc.
Many estate agents will recommend that you make the house look like a home by removing any clutter, pet odours and ensuring your property is in good working order.
This is because buyers would feel uncomfortable looking at a house where they did not think it was suitable for them to live in, or where there were pets or other occupants who could not be removed.
One of the things that I think is very important to remember, about choosing an estate agent, is that they are being paid by commission so naturally will want to get the property sold.
Once you have agreed on a way forward with them and who's doing what, this should help you feel confident about your choice of estate agent.
Conclusion
Here, we have covered how to instruct your estate agent and what to expect from them. We have also talked about the importance of getting the property on the market as quickly as possible so that it sells for the maximum amount possible. In order to get a good idea of where you stand in terms of time before you will need a new home or rental space, take into account when they show someone around or when they come back after showing the house off. If none were interested, then there is no wait before you can do repeat viewings with an agent again.
