Do you know your Estate Agent?
Not the company itself, but the individual negotiators/sales people behind the brand, the person you’ll meet and speak to throughout your search and buying process.
You probably don’t know them all that well. In fact, other than an email address you probably don’t know very much about them at all. But despite the reputation, Estate Agents are normal people and it can pay dividends to make a little effort to get to know who you’re dealing with.
Buying a house is known to be one of the most stressful, expensive and absorbing things you’ll ever do. However, from start to finish, the experience can be made that little bit easier when you know your agent.
Relationships
if you’ve taken the time to explain to your agent your reasons for moving, your position and the type of property you’re looking for, they’ll be able to take that onboard and help you in your search. Rightmove is not the holy grail when it comes to seeing new listings, a good agent will be able to spot your dream home before it’s even listed! It takes time to get photos and marketing approved, meanwhile we’ve been talking to contacts that we have registered way before the listing comes on and sometimes properties can have offers on them before they even come to market. Having met you and heard what you’re looking for, often times we might know a property is perfect that you’ve overlooked – those sales make our day!
Its well understand people buy into a lifestyle. Most home owners end up selling to people in similar shoes to themselves when they first bought their home. A house in the catchment area for an outstanding primary school is likely to have been bought by a young family so naturally, in time, sold to a young family. One of the most common questions asked about a property is “What’s the vendors situation?” and “Who are the owners?”. However, it’s not just the buyers who want to know who they’re buying from, it can be of huge significance to a seller as to whom they’re selling to. Homeowners love their homes, they’re their pride and joy, they might adore their neighbours and as such have a genuine interest in seeing their buyers are going to be good people. Who you are as a buyer can play a key role when negotiating an offer. Don’t forget, it’s likely you’ll never meet the homeowner so if your agent is able to paint a picture of you as buyers and to sell you not just for who you are, but also your position and your desire to buy the property, it certainly helps cement any offer and makes it feel real.
A long slog
In normal circumstances it takes 14-16 weeks from having your offer accepted to the day of completion. It can be quicker and it can be slower, but one things for sure, there is a whole host of things that can add delay and create stress throughout the process. Worst of all, it might not be anything to do with your purchase, it could be somewhere else in the pesky chain – out of your control and your sellers control. This is what agents call the ‘progression stage’ and we find it just as stressful as you do. This might not feel like a time period in which knowing your agent has any relevance to the process whatsoever and if your sale goes through without a hitch, then you’re probably right. However, if there are any hiccups along the way, having the support and a relationship with your agent and being able to speak to a calming, open and trustworthy voice at the end of the line can make all the difference.
Buying a house is likely to be a stressful time but in all walks of life relationship building can ease the pain and be the difference between a bad buying experience or a great one.
article by David Vincent, Catford Branch
Stanfords – Sales & Lettings