Best Estate Agent Finder - HomeOwners Alliance (2024)

How does the Best Estate Agent Finder work?

To find the best local estate agents near you, simply enter your address details so we can find local estate agents selling houses like yours. The results will list local estate agents so you can see how they compare and find the best estate agent for you.

With the latest performance data from over 18,000 estate agents across thousands of different websites we provide accurate data about how each agent performs, so you can find the best estate agent in your area.

What next?

Once you have your results from our Best Estate Agent Finder, you can draw up a shortlist of estate agents to approach. Unlike other estate agent finder tools, you can compare the data yourself and contact the agents you want to speak to.

Choosing the best estate agent

Invite your three shortlisted estate agents to visit your home and give you a free property valuation. This is the value at which they will market your property and the price they would look to achieve.

This is where you need to watch out for a commonestate agent trick. There is always at least one agent in your shortlist that is likely to offer you a valuation price head and shoulders above the rest. This tactic is flattery, and the aim is to win your business. After all, what could be nicer than a property professional singing the praises of your home and promising to get you a higher sale price than the rest? But it’s more likely that if you try to sell at that price, you’ll get very little interest and a few weeks after listing you’ll be asked to reduce your price. Try to be objective and ask for what evidence they are basing the valuation on. See our guide on thequestions to ask your estate agent when selling.

What services do the best estate agents offer?

To work our which estate agent is best for you, you’ll need to have a think about what it is you want them to do. Check with them what services they’ll offer. For example:

• Do you want them to conduct viewings? Who will it be, and do you need to be present as well?
• Will they provide accurate floorplans, photographs and video tours?
• Will they market your home on all the main property portals: Rightmove, Zoopla and on the market?
• Is a “For Sale” sign included?

The best estate agents to work with

The best estate agent will fill you with confidence by demonstrating she/he knows the local market and has done some research before the valuation. They should also show interest and enthusiasm at the prospect of marketing your home.

It’s important you get on with your estate agent, as you will be working together for the next few weeks, if not months.

In a recent HomeOwners Alliance survey into what’s important when choosing an estate agent, we asked consumers what they look for when selecting an agent to sell their house and, conversely, what would put them off.

Pushiness, poor time-keeping and lack of local knowledge all featured highly in the turn off list. Some 48% of homeowners said that aggressive sales tactics were a major turn off, with a similar number (47%) agreeing that poor punctuality was likely to be a major stumbling block.

Homeowners said they would be more likely to appoint an estate agent with a good phone manner (93%) and ability to build a rapport (87%).

Questions to ask when choosing an estate agent

In choosing the best estate agent to sell your house, as well as their advice on setting the asking price, it’s important to ask:

• Are you a member of The Property Ombudsman?All estate agents need to be the member of a redress scheme and theproperty ombudsmanis the main one
• How will you market my property?Nearly everyone visits a property portal when they search for a property. So your home needs to be on the main ones: Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket
• Will you conduct viewings?Understand how this will work and when the best time for viewings are – weekends or evenings? Ask if you need to be there and whether they will accompany all viewings
• Will you provide a for sale board?
• How will you feedback to prospective buyers and how will they keep you informed of progress?You don’t want to be on the phone chasing them so tell them what level of communication you expect
• What are your contract terms?Ask them to go through the contract talking you through each paragraph and the implications. Avoid long tie in periods above 12 weeks. Make sure you understand any future liability for commission if you decide to switch from them and sell through another agent. See our advice onestate agent contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions