Property

An estate agent’s sole job is to sell your home or help you find one. They must advertise your home then arrange appointments for potential buyers to view your property. There are no guidelines on the fee that estate agents charge but average fees are around 1.5 per cent of the total sale.

Don’t be fooled by rogue estate agents who say ‘excellent nightlife’ but probably mean you are two doors down from your local boozer. According to Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) choosing an estate agent can be stress-free if you follow a few simple rules.

‘Firstly, check the agent belongs to a professional body like the NAEA. Selecting an agent who is a member will ensure peace of mind, as well as the highest level of integrity and service.’ Secondly, ‘reputation can also be a great aid in selecting an agent. If friends, family or neighbours have had a good experience with an agent this can really help. Another trick is to look at the number of ‘sold’ and ‘for sale’ signs around the local area. This will tell you which agents are most popular.’ Finally, ‘When you find a good agent, agree the top five selling points of your property and what kind of contract you sign. Ask to see comparisons of valuations and actual sale prices in the area.’

You can check whether an estate agent is a member of the NAEA by using the ‘find a member’ search facility on the website homepage: www.naea.co.uk.

Regulators and governing bodies
www.oft.gov.uk The Office of Fair Trading
www.naea.co.uk The National Association of Estate Agents
www.oea.co.uk The Ombudsman for Estate Agents
Feature continues