What An Estate Agent Should Do

Your estate agent carries out a number of jobs on your behalf.

Preparing For Sale
Marketing Your Property

You pay an estate agent to perform certain tasks on your behalf, but sometimes, especially for first time buyers, it can be confusing as to what these tasks are. So, what is your estate agent obligated to do once you have signed a contract with them?

Your estate agent is obliged to carry out certain tasks

Preparing For The Sale

* An estate agent will value your home based on local knowledge and agree a selling price with you. It's always advisable to do some research to assess your home's true value yourself and to get at least three agents to do a valuation for you - that way, you can be sure that you market your home at the right price.

* Once you've decided to appoint an agent, they will agree terms of engagement and ask you to sign an agreement clarifying all terms and conditions. Read these carefully and don't be afraid to negotiate a lower fee.

* Next, they will prepare the property details. The 1994 Property Misdescriptions Act legally binds agents to describe the property accurately. However, you should read through both the online and paper offerings they're putting out to ensure your home is being presented well enough. Are they using enough pictures, does the intro mention the proximity of a good school, is the roomy loft being pushed?

* Find out where they will be displaying your home - in their office window and local newspapers and other property publications? Online? If you feel your home isn't being marketed well enough, be sure to say so as early as possible.

* Next, they will put up a For Sale board (subject to local laws and regulations). Ensure the front of your house does it justice by presenting your home's exterior well.