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Get the Right Real Estate Agent in London

There are many estate agents in London, but they’re not all created equally. It’s essential to consider a variety of factors when choosing an agent, including the expertise, experience, and local knowledge he possesses. Whether you are buying, selling or letting a home, work with an agency that understands the London market and is willing to meet your unique requirements. From how you find your agency to the care with which you read your contract, there are several basic tenets to success in choosing an estate agent.

Get a Reference

Ask a friend or colleague if they have used a good estate agent, or know someone with a great reputation. Choosing a random estate agent based on an advert could end well, but it might also result in an unhappy and unexpected ending. Using an estate agent for which you have a personal recommendation can give you more confidence that you’ve selected a competent, experienced agent.

Think Locally

It’s not enough to have an agent with overall experience; he also needs to be experienced working with properties in the London borough where you want to buy, sell or let a place. Someone who is a great estate agent but has never worked in your borough may not be able to give you exactly what you need or provide all the answers to your questions. On the other hand, if you are open to more than one location, choose an agent who is familiar with greater London and not just one borough.

Ask Questions

Ask specific questions about how much experience your estate agent has, and if he has expertise in your specific type of transaction. For instance, if you are selling a home you need an agent who has a lot of knowledge regarding how to be a seller’s agent as opposed to a buyer’s agent. Ask how many properties the agent has closed, how many other clients he has, and of course what the cost of his services will be.

Shop Around

Don’t think you have to hire the first estate agent you meet. Interview several agents and get a feel for whether or not they listen to your concerns, are prompt in getting back to you, and provide useful information from the start. Get a gut feeling from the agents, and don’t choose any estate agent, regardless of reputation or credentials, who you don’t feel comfortable with or who doesn’t seem compatible with your needs.

Fees

It’s imperative to find out up front what an estate agency will charge for its services. Without a clear understanding of the costs, you might find out at the end of a transaction that you own a large sum of money. Additionally, it’s necessary to read any contracts’ fine print to find out not only the fees, but also the duration of time to which you are bound to the agency. If you sign a long term contract, you might be unable to switch agents if you are unhappy with the service or just not seeing results.

Darren Wess is a keen property investor with a penchant for London. He enjoys sharing his tips and insights on various investment blogs. Finding an appropriate property can be an arduous process, choosing the right London real estate agents is a good start.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by steve hannigan .