How sellers in St Neots and beyond can spot an agent who means business

The first question a seller always asks an estate agent is: “How much can you sell my property for?.” The second: “What is your fee?.”

This focus on price and fee makes perfect sense; understandably every seller wants to get the best possible property deal.

But before you jump in and choose an agent based solely on these two things, ask two more questions to determine if an agent is being honest and telling you the truth.

Before you sign a contract, ask:

• If there is a tie-in clause in the contract? If so, how long is it?
• If you can terminate the agreement if you’re unhappy with the service?

Unfortunately, many sellers skip these questions and it’s not until things go awry that they realise they’re locked into an unfavourable deal.

Tie-in Periods

Some agents don’t do tie-ins at all, while others will ask that you commit to allowing them a minimum period to market the property.

Other agents go so far as to lock you in for 16 weeks or more (with a 28-day notice period on top of that).

It’s up to you to decide what length of tie-in is reasonable, but make sure you understand from the outset what you’re getting into.

At Butler Residential we let you decide the length of your contract PLUS, we don’t double our fee rate if you choose to go with a multi-agency agreement.

Overvaluing a Property

It’s also worth questioning why an agent wants a 24-week tie-in. If they genuinely believe in their pricing strategy, why do they need nearly half a year to sell the property?

Unless, of course, they’ve deliberately overvalued your home to secure your custom. They know that eventually you’ll have to drop the price, but they don’t care they’ve got you cornered.

The whole thing is a ploy to get your business. It wastes time and can jeopardise your next purchase, especially if you’re in a chain.

Always get three agents’ minimum round to value your home and make sure they have comparative evidence to back the valuation.

Bad Service 

Be wary of long notice periods. Some contracts not only commit you to an extended tie-in but require that you serve notice if you want to terminate.

So, you get to the end of a long tie-in and think ‘hallelujah,’ only to discover you’re still locked in.

Often, the longer the tie-in and notice period, the worse the service because the agent knows you can’t go elsewhere.

We are confident you will be happy with the service you receive at Butler Residential. You can check out our five-star Google and Facebook reviews to see what both sellers and buyers have had to say about us.

Top Tips

• Always do your research before choosing an agent.
• Never sign a contract you haven’t read.
• Remember, you can negotiate tie-in periods. They’re not set in stone, even if an agent tells you otherwise.
• Go with a local agent with a reputation for excellent service and delivering on their promises.

From us both here at Butler Residential, thanks for reading.

Barry & Laura