We've all been there. You put your house on the market and your estate agent promises you streams of eager buyers, only to deliver the occasional viewer who's "not ready to move yet" or "didn't want to be in this road". So, you ring your agent and he/she is either not there, on the phone, with a client or "busy". Feel like you could be getting more for your money? Here's how:
It goes without saying that you need to be on good terms with your estate agent to ensure you get the cream of the buyers. So, keep them sweet, but always be firm and explicit about what you expect from them. In other words, ask them to brief potential buyers on what to expect from your house (if it's a cottage you don't want viewers who are looking for a loft apartment), and tell them you won't show around people who aren't serious about moving NOW.
Giving the agent all the information they need about you and your house will obviously help them to do their job. So, if you need to move quickly, ask them to inform potential buyers of that when they line them up for an appointment; if you're planning to leave anything like kitchen appliances and curtains, ask them to include that in their patter, too.
Sadly, a bit of flattery goes a long way- mention that you chose them above all the others in the area as you could tell they were professionals. You knew they would only send suitable candidates to look around, for example- it's surprising how often a bad agent sends a family of seven round to look at your one-bedroom flat, just to make their numbers look good.
Remember, it's in their best interest to get your home sold as quickly as possible, so don't hold back when (politely) asking for the best possible service from your estate agent.
Always check agents' fees up front- you could save yourself a small fortune by negotiating.
They're working for you, so never feel embarrassed to chase them if you feel they're not doing enough.
Although there are other ways to sell your home, unless you are well experienced in the dealing with the property market it is probably best to always use an estate agent. As a third party, they are able to negotiate tricky situations, chase buyers and deal with solicitors. With their knowledge and experience, they can monitor the whole sale.
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