A recent report has suggested that the number of people aged 17 to 24 in the UK seeking help with problems with letting agents has more than doubled over the last two years. And unfortunately this has become an incredibly familiar story. But there is good news for those looking to rent or sell, as not all estate agents fall into this category. There are many good, reliable and qualified estate agents in the world, looking to genuinely match buyers or tenants to their dream homes. But if you’re hesitant or new to the property game, we’ve jotted down some key reasons why it’s important to choose a reliable and responsible estate agent:
A good agent will have area and sector knowledge
Whether you’re a seasoned property expert and have moved more times than you dare to think, or a novice and moving to a whole new area, you’ll want to approach your agent for advice on a number of things. Location, local property prices, the general market’s stability, accepting offers, viewing advice and the legal steps are all things your agent should be able to help you with should you need it.
A professional agent will be know their job inside out
Some houses fly off the market seemingly as soon as they come on. Others however take a little longer as they wait for the right person. A good estate agent will be able to tell which houses need a bit more attention and be proactive when it comes to promoting it. Whether that be through modern methods, such as posting it on social media, via emails, as a featured ‘property of the week’, or via traditional methods, such as calling potential buyers to inform them of a new property.
A proficient agent will provide you with all the documents you need
If you’re a tenant, this is particularly important. An estate agent should provide tenants with a number of documents, namely copies of gas and electrical safety certificates, an energy performance certificate, a tailored tenancy agreement and the landlord’s contact details. They should also show you all aspects of the property, including appliances and the heating, as well as act as the middle man by forwarding requests for repairs to the landlord and providing prompt feedback. If you’re a buyer, an EPC should be available.
A good agent is a proactive one
When there’s a chain, the whole process can be extremely long, with parties waiting for feedback, confirmation and documents to be signed and returned. Agents know at exactly what part of the process the whole chain is at and what the hold ups are. They should then be proactive at chasing up relevant parties should something be missed or behind in order to keep the transactions moving.
I Am The Agent boasts honest feedback from genuine customers. We have a number of testimonials on our website, as well as five star Trustpilot and allagents.co.uk ratings. So whether you’re a seller, buyer, tenant or landlord, you can rest assured that you, your property and your future is in good hands.
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