The property market is a fast-paced and confusing world, so you’ll need a good agent on your side to help you navigate its complexities. Finding the right agent is crucial to the outcome of your sale, so to ensure that you make an informed decision, it’s important to ask all the right questions.

Here are 10 key questions you should ask your estate agent before committing to working with them.

What is their experience in the local market?
You’ll need to know how much experience your agent has in the local market, as they should be able to provide local market insights such as trends, values and any potential challenges. Don’t settle for the cheaper option, as an experienced agent is better equipped to help you navigate the intricacies of your specific area, enabling a better outcome for your sale.

Can they provide any client testimonials?
Reputable agents are proud of their client testimonials and references, so they will be more than happy to share them with you. Customer feedback can give you valuable insight into any business’ reputation, so don’t hesitate to ask for this information or check the customer ratings online.

What’s their marketing strategy?
When the market is competitive, a robust marketing strategy is what will make your home stand out to potential buyers. Make sure to enquire about the agent’s approach to marketing, including both online and offline channels, professional photography, and any unique strategies they might use to showcase your property effectively.

How will they determine the value of your property?
Receiving a professional valuation is one of the most important steps to selling your home, so you’ll need to know that your agent has a solid and reliable strategy. A good agent will consider a multitude of factors, such as recent sales in the area, the condition and appearance of the property, and current market demand. Using this information to paint a full and accurate picture ensures that your property is competitively priced.

Is your property ready to sell?
While selling ‘as-is’ is sometimes a viable option, an agent will be able to assess your home during your valuation and advise you on any necessary repairs or additions. Ask your agent whether your home is ready for the market, or if it could benefit from a spruce-up to bump up its value.

How will they communicate with you?
The key to any successful partnership is effective communication, so make sure to discuss your preferred mode of communication with your agent. Whether it’s emails, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings, setting your expectations early on will help to avoid any misunderstandings.

How long does it take to sell houses in your area?
Knowing the average time it takes to sell a home in your area will help you manage your expectations and form a realistic plan. It also gives you an idea of how efficiently your agent can sell properties in your location.

Do they have experience handling properties similar to yours?
Every home is unique, but some fall into specific categories which require the careful handling of an expert (e.g., period homes and luxury properties), so make sure your agent has had experience selling similar listings. This experience can be invaluable when it comes to finding the right buyer and selling for the right price.

How do they handle negotiations?
The skill of negotiation is a crucial one in all areas of the property market. Ask your agent about their approach to negotiations and how they plan to secure the best deal for you while also maintaining a positive relationship with potential buyers.

What happens if your property doesn’t sell?
Lastly, it’s important to ask your agent about what their strategy will be if your property doesn’t sell within the agreed timeframe. Whether it involves reevaluating the marketing plan or adjusting the pricing strategy, having a clear plan in place shows that your agent is prepared for any curve balls, allowing you peace of mind throughout your sales journey.

 

For more information, contact our expert team today

 

As the festive season fades away and the winter chill sets in, January can often bring a sense of gloominess. But if your New Year’s resolution is to attract a buyer, one of the best ways to inject some brightness into your living space is with a punchy, cohesive colour scheme. Ready your home for the market this year with one of these refreshing colour palettes.

Soothing greens
Due to its natural connotations, green creates soothing spaces that make us feel better connected to the outside world. As it sits at the centre of the colour wheel, green is a beautiful transition colour which can be paired with both warm and cool tones. If you’re looking for warmth, use touches of yellow, as two colours from the same family can work harmoniously together. For something more modern, try soft tonal shifts in green shades to create a restful yet invigorating space.

Daring reds
Red brings a sense of energy into a living space, making it the perfect shade for dreary January. Make a statement with a bold accent wall of maroon or carmine, or bring a muted palette to life with some intense pops of crimson using throw pillows, vases, and canvases.

Dreamy sunset hues
Bring some warmth back into the home by incorporating a timeless sunset colour scheme. Offset the drama of the burnt oranges, reds, and golds with a cooling touch of blue or purple. This will have your home looking bright and sunny year-round.

Earthy neutrals
Embrace the natural beauty of earthy neutrals like warm taupe, soft beige and creamy white. These compatible shades create a sophisticated and calming environment, perfect for a minimalist aesthetic. To keep things dynamic, mix and match neutral tones for a classic yet versatile look.

Elegant jewel tones
Amp up the elegance in your home with luxurious jewel tones such as sapphire blue, deep burgundy or emerald green. These colours are rich and full of depth, so make sure to use them sparingly against neutral backgrounds to add a touch of opulence, without overwhelming the space.

Coastal blues
If you’re yearning for summer, bring it back into your home with tones taken straight from a sea view. Create a cool, coastal feel with refreshing shades of ocean blue, then work in a few eye-catching accents of red, yellow or purple for an element of contrast and warmth.

Soft pastels
Pastels are bright colours that have been diluted, making them ideal for the home. Chalky and pale colours give rise to delicate, minimal rooms. Create a relaxing and elegant space with sugary shades of rose, mint, and taupe.

 

If you're considering a change of scenery, our team is here to assist you in finding the perfect property.

Contact us today to explore the possibilities

 

The journey to your ideal home is often not a short one, and if you’re contemplating taking the plunge into homeownership, you may consider renting first to test the waters. Renting provides the unique opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ and comes with a range of benefits that might just make it the perfect first move.

Here are some of the advantages to renting before you buy:

Flexibility and freedom
Renting allows a level of flexibility that buying a property does not. If you’re unsure about your long-term plans or if you’re keen on trying out a few different locations before laying down roots, renting allows you to relocate easily without being tied to a mortgage or any of the other commitments that come with owning a property.

Try out different areas
If you haven’t lived alone yet, it can be difficult to know what surroundings would best suit your lifestyle. Renting first means you can live in and explore an area before having to commit to it. It’s a great way to experience a different walk of life, try out local amenities, plan your commute, and get a feel for the community.

Maintenance and peace of mind
One of the perks of renting is that you aren’t responsible for major property repairs or maintenance, allowing you to save both time and money. This is a great way to ease yourself into homeownership, as you can focus on gaining your independence without feeling like you’ve been thrown into the deep end on your own.

Gain experience
Being a reliable tenant is a great responsibility to take on before homeownership. You can learn how to budget around bills, how to take care of a home, and what it means to live independently. This experience will be invaluable when you buy your first home, as it will enable you to hit the ground running.

Build your credit score
Being a responsible tenant can also positively impact your credit score, which might make it easier for you to secure favourable mortgage terms when you decide to buy a home later. If you pay your rent on time consistently, this will demonstrate your financial responsibility to mortgage lenders.

Learn more about yourself
Renting a home allows you to experiment and figure out what works for you long term. This is a valuable opportunity to understand what your home requirements are in terms of size and layout, which will help you make a more informed decision when the time comes to buy your own place.

Simplify your transition
Renting puts less pressure on the transition into independent living, especially if you’re going to be living with a partner for the first time. Living in a rental home first allows time to adjust to the responsibilities of maintaining a household and to experience cohabiting with another person without the immediate commitment of ownership.

 

Contact us today to explore the exciting possibilities that renting can bring to your property journey

This is money*