Finding the right Estate Agent for you
How to find the right Estate Agent for your property sale
In the past people chose an Estate Agent by making a call to their nearest branch, without thinking about whether they are the right fit. Today, it’s not quite that simple. Your Estate Agent will shape one of the most significant financial moments of your life, influencing not only the price you achieve, but how the entire experience unfolds from the first valuation through to completion.
In today’s market, that decision carries even more weight. The traditional Private Treaty route can take over 200 days* on average to reach completion, with fall-through rates still affecting 26% of transactions^. Alongside rising costs and ongoing financial pressures, sellers are under increasing pressure to not only achieve the best possible price, but to ensure their sale progresses quickly and smoothly to completion.
That’s why choosing the right Estate Agent is no longer just about who can list your property, but who can shape the process around your circumstances.
Start with the basics, but don’t stop there
Reputation and local track record are a natural place to begin when choosing your Estate Agent. Looking at reviews, market visibility and recent sales helps build a picture of how they operate and the kinds of homes they handle. It’s also where many place their focus, with over half saying trust is the most important factor when deciding who to work with**.
It’s why trust in your Estate Agent, and confidence in how they manage the process, has become just as important as their knowledge of the local market.
The reality sellers are facing today
Delays and fall-throughs are no longer rare occurrences; they have unnecessarily become part of the process. When a sale collapses, the impact goes beyond inconvenience. Time is lost, money has often already been spent, and plans are left in limbo.
It’s no surprise that seller priorities are shifting. Increasingly, sellers are placing greater importance on:
- 93% say it’s important to know the other party in a sale is fully committed
- 91% value consistent communication throughout the process
- 88% want greater certainty around when their sale will complete**
These expectations reflect a growing desire for more transparency in a market where transactions don’t always follow a straightforward path.
Why the method of sale matters
The traditional route of Private Treaty works well in many circumstances, but it comes with inherent uncertainty. Until contracts are exchanged, either party can walk away. Timelines are estimates, not guarantees.
If you’re a seller who values certainty – whether you’re relocating for work, managing a probate sale, or simply want to take the next steps in your life – it’s worth understanding there are alternative ways to sell your home.
The Modern Method of Auction offers a structure, designed to bring more speed, security and transparency to the process:
- Buyers compete through transparent bidding
- A non-refundable Reservation Fee secures commitment earlier
- A 56-day^^ timeline provides a clearer route to completion
That commitment changes the dynamic entirely. Fall-throughs become far less likely, and you can make forward plans, knowing when the sale will complete. Moving home will always be a big process, but with the right approach and the right support, it doesn’t have to feel uncertain.
What to ask before you commit
When discussing your transaction with a potential Estate Agent, go beyond your standard questions around valuations and fees. Ask:
- How will you keep me informed throughout?
- How do you protect sellers from fall-throughs?
- What methods of sale do you offer?
- How do you decide what method is right for the seller?
- What does your typical timeline look like from listing to completion?
Their answers will give you a clear sense of not just their experience, but how they approach supporting you through the process. An Estate Agent who offers a choice and can tailor recommendations accordingly is likely to be an ally throughout the entire process.
Explore the Modern Method of Auction
Auction Watch offers a closer look at how properties are being bought and sold by the Modern Method of Auction across the UK, alongside real stories, insights and examples that bring the process to life. It’s a useful way to explore how auction works in practice, and what to look for when choosing an Estate Agent who’s right for you.