When you’re at the start of your journey to selling your home, you’ll find yourself wondering how to choose an estate agent that is right for you and your property. It’s vital to go with the right agent, who proposes a strategy that works for your property and your circumstances.
For example, sales price is one of the most crucial aspects of the strategy to get right, and the wrong agent could market your property too high, too low, or not in the correct price banding to optimise exposure of your property listing.
Other factors such as time on the market and your overall selling experience will be impacted by which estate agent you choose.
Ask yourself, do they have an experienced sales negotiation team who will find me a buyer? When thinking, ‘how do I choose an estate agent who will work hard for me and my property, ask yourself, do they have a marketing team to push my property in front of the right buyers?
Some sellers only get one valuation, or go with the first agent they meet, but we recommend getting at least three valuations so you can compare and find the right agent for you.
Why Choosing the Right Estate Agent Matters
The best estate agents don’t simply list your property for sale. They devise a bespoke marketing plan and specialist strategy to sell your home, pricing it according to the current market, your circumstances, and what will attract the right buyers.
They will continuously review the marketing of your property and optimise it regularly, advertising across multiple channels.
They will match your property to relevant buyers and do call outs to get as many qualified buyers through the door, getting detailed feedback from them after every viewing to influence future strategy.
Once offers are received, the best agents work in your favour, getting you the best possible price for your property, not prioritising buyers.
Once offers are accepted, you need an estate agent with a dedicated sales progression department so that your property has a focused plan to get it over the line.This is one of the most important factors to consider when deliberating how to pick an estate agent.
Some lower cost agents will put your property on the market, sit, and wait. Some estate agents even over-value homes to secure listings, however this is followed by a lack of initial interest, leading to the property looking stale when in fact, with the right pricing strategy to begin with, the best agents would have got the property sold.
How to Choose an Estate Agent?
Start with Multiple Valuations
As previously mentioned, when assessing estate agent, a good place to start is with arranging multiple valuations. Three is a good number.
By having more than one valuation, you have more leverage to negotiate, you can be sure on the price of your property and you will most likely have a better rapport with one agent than another.
It’s useful to compare the comparables provided by each agent, how they account for the property’s condition and location, their fees and contract terms, local market knowledge and communication.
Sites such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket contain comparable property data so you can gain an understanding of what your property could be worth.
Use our very own Instant Valuation tool to see how much your property could be worth, and compare with your in-person valuation. LINK HERE TO IVT. https://curlett-jones-estates-limited-web.lead.pro/
Industry guidance recommends comparing multiple valuations and being cautious of significantly higher estimates that cannot be supported with evidence.
Don't Fall for the Highest Valuation
In an estate agency, there is a phrase called “buying the instruction.” This is when an agent deliberately provides an overly optimistic valuation to convince buyers to go with them to market their property.
Beware. Overpricing can lead to fewer viewings, an extended time on the market and multiple price reductions.
A good estate agent will show you comparable property sales in the area to justify their valuation figure.
Advice from Our Valuation Experts
“At Curlett Jones, we value honestly and realistically. We won’t just value your home, we’ll give you a credible plan on how we’ll achieve the best possible sales price for you and your property.”
Is the Highest Property Valuation Always Best?
Short answer:
“No. A realistic valuation supported by local market evidence usually produces better results than an inflated asking price.” Supported by industry guidance and seller experiences.
Check Their Local Market Knowledge
It might sound obvious, but a lot of first-timers would ask: how to choose an estate agent who knows their local area? A certified local agent of course!
Local agents will understand buyer demand and comparable sales in the location of your property. They will be familiar with nearby schools, transport links and trends happening in the local neighbourhood.
At Curlett Jones, we operate across Liverpool and Southport, and pride ourselves on being Your Local Property People. We are local. We are experts.
Review Their Marketing Strategy
How else to choose an estate agent? Quality marketing packages should always include a select number of services, including the below.
Professional Photography Photos that are crisp, clear, high quality and show your home off in the best possible light.
Detailed Floor Plans Floor plans with measurements of every room on each floor to show the general layout of the property.
Property Portal Exposure Marketing strategies should include listing on key property portals such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket.
Social Media Marketing These days, everything is digital. Social media videos such as property walk-throughs and reels are a must.
Video Tours and Virtual Viewings YouTube property tours and the ability to offer virtual viewings is also handy to have, especially if your property is a potential investment opportunity which may attract busy buyers.
Read Reviews and Testimonials Carefully
Visit Google to help you learn how to pick an estate agent. Search for the agency and head to the reviews section to read about recent experiences from other sellers.
Star ratings are the first thing you see, but pay attention to what sellers are saying. Are there signs of excellent customer service, such as clear communication, professionalism and care?
All businesses get some bad reviews, however red flags in review patterns include multiple 5-star reviews with no detail, no negative reviews at all, or multiple 1 or 2-star reviews.
What Reviews Should I Look For When Choosing an Estate Agent?
Look for reviews from genuine clients, which have been posted recently on official sites such as Google only.
Compare Estate Agent Fees and Contracts
There are different kinds of fees and contracts that apply during a property transaction which could influence how to choose an estate agent for your property sale.
A sole agency agreement is when one estate agent has the exclusive right to market the property. A sole selling rights agreement is more restrictive, where the agent is entitled to their fee even if the seller finds a buyer themselves.
In contrast, a multi-agency agreement allows several agents to market the same property at the same time. This usually involves a higher commission fee.
A commission fee is a fixed amount or a percentage of the property price, paid to the agent on completion of the property sale.
When selling your property, you should also ask estate agents about any tie-in periods, which is where you have to stay on the market with that specific agent for a set amount of weeks before you can take your property off the market, or move to a new agent, should you wish to do so.
“How much do estate agents charge in the UK?”
Typical fee structures vary depending on agent type and service level. Our typical fee is 1%, with a minimum fee of £1,500 + VAT
Ask These Questions Before Choosing an Estate Agent
How Many Similar Homes Have You Sold Recently?
Finding an agent who has experience selling properties similar to yours means they could already have a list of interested buyers who enquired on similar homes. It also means the agent will have a better understanding of the appetite for this type of property.
What Is Your Average Time to Sell?
It’s important to understand how quickly an agent can typically sell your home. If you request average times from listing to sales agreed and compare with local market averages, you can gain a better picture on what timescale to expect when selling.
Who Will Conduct Viewings?
Check whether you will be expected to conduct viewings yourself, or if the estate agent can do them for you.
How Often Will I Receive Updates?
Regular communication is essential during the sales process. Ask your agent how many times you should expect to hear from them with an update. Will they provide viewing feedback? Will they provide marketing stats? Do they offer a vendor portal you can view you property progress on?
What Happens If My Home Doesn’t Sell?
Does the agent have a plan in place for if your property doesn’t sell right away? Ask them how they would review marketing and how they would stir up more interest on your property.
Online vs High Street Estate Agents
Choosing the right estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home. The type of agent you choose can affect everything from the level of support you receive to the fees you pay and how quickly your property sells. While traditional estate agents remain popular for their hands-on service, online and hybrid agents offer alternative approaches that may better suit different budgets and selling preferences. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each option can help you decide which is the best fit for your circumstances.
Traditional Estate Agents
Pros
- Comprehensive, end-to-end service from valuation to completion.
- Strong local market knowledge and established buyer networks.
- Accompanied viewings are often included.
- Dedicated negotiators can help achieve the best possible sale price.
- Face-to-face support throughout the selling process.
Cons
- Typically charge higher commission fees than other options.
- Service quality can vary between branches and individual agents.
- Some agents tie sellers into lengthy contracts.
- Costs are usually based on a percentage of the final sale price.
Online Estate Agents
Pros
- Generally much cheaper than traditional agents.
- Fixed-fee pricing provides cost certainty.
- Listings often appear on major property portals.
- Convenient online account management and 24/7 access.
- Suitable for sellers comfortable managing parts of the process themselves.
Cons
- Limited personal support compared to traditional agents.
- Viewings may be self-managed or come at an extra cost.
- Fees are often payable regardless of whether the property sells.
- Less local market expertise in some cases.
- Negotiation support can be more limited.
Hybrid Estate Agents
Pros
- Combines online convenience with local property expertise.
- Usually cheaper than traditional estate agents.
- Often includes a dedicated local property expert.
- More personal support than a purely online service.
- Flexible packages allow sellers to choose the level of service they need.
Cons
- Service levels can vary significantly between providers.
- May not offer the same branch network or local presence as traditional agents.
- Some services that appear standard may incur additional costs.
- Can be more expensive than fully online agents.
- Sellers should carefully check what’s included before signing up.
Recent UK market data indicates traditional and hybrid models continue to dominate many local markets due to local expertise and hands-on support.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Estate Agent
There are a number of mistakes that many vendors make when selecting an estate agent. Our guidance is to take your time, don’t rush, do your research and go with your gut! Try to avoid the following…
- Choosing based solely on fees
- Accepting the highest valuation
- Ignoring reviews
- Not reading contracts
- Failing to compare agents
- Overlooking communication skills
Why sellers across Liverpool and Southport choose Curlett Jones
At Curlett Jones, we have years of experience in sales and property law, so we understand all aspects of property transactions, from first-time buyer sales, to shared ownership, to investment properties. We are experts in our local areas, providing invaluable market knowledge, and have recently experienced 500% growth on new instructions, properties sold and completions.
We are proud to have 4.7 and 4.9 star ratings on Google and we are registered with the Property Ombudsman and Propertymark for our clients’ peace of mind.
Our team takes pride in customer service, hence our current status as the gold winning estate agent in Liverpool, and the bronze winning estate agent in the North West and Merseyside. We are transparent at all times and take a personalised approach to customer service, always putting our clients first. We hope we have helped you decide how to choose an estate agent for your property sale!
Welcome to Curlett Jones Estates
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion When Choosing the Best Estate Agent for You
Knowing how to choose an estate agent can make a significant difference to your selling experience, the price you achieve, and how quickly your property sells. Rather than focusing solely on fees or the highest valuation, take time to compare agents carefully and assess their local market knowledge, marketing strategy, communication standards, reviews, and track record.
Before making your decision, arrange multiple valuations, ask plenty of questions, and compare the services on offer. By taking a considered approach, you’ll be in a much stronger position to select the right estate agent and move forward with confidence.
The best estate agents combine realistic valuations with proactive marketing, strong negotiation skills, and regular updates throughout the sales process. Whether you’re selling in Liverpool, Southport, or elsewhere in the UK, choosing an agent with genuine local expertise and a proven approach can help you achieve the best possible outcome.
