In short
Invite two or three agents to value your home, then compare them on evidence, not just the price they suggest: their track record with homes like yours, their marketing, what their fee includes, the length of their contract, and who will actually handle your sale day to day.
Your estate agent will have a big influence on how quickly your home sells, and for how much. It’s worth taking a little time to choose well.
Look at their track record
Have a look at the properties an agent currently has for sale and has recently sold. Do they deal with homes like yours – in price, type and area? An agent used to selling new-build flats may not be the best fit for a rural farmhouse, and vice versa.
Reviews and word of mouth help too. Ask friends and neighbours who they used, and whether they’d use them again.
Compare their marketing
Almost every buyer now starts their search online, so look closely at the agent’s existing listings:
- Are the photos bright, sharp and well composed?
- Is there a clear floorplan?
- Is the description accurate and genuinely helpful?
- Which property portals do they use?
For larger, rural or unusual homes, extras such as drone photography and plot maps can make a real difference. Ask whether they’re included in the fee or charged on top.
Understand the fee – and what it includes
Fees are usually a percentage of the sale price, or sometimes a fixed fee. Compare what’s actually included, and ask:
- Is it no sale, no fee, or is anything payable up front?
- Are photography, floorplans and viewings included?
- Is the fee quoted with or without VAT?
- Are there any withdrawal or other charges?
Read the contract
Before you sign, check:
- the type of agreement – usually sole agency, where one agent markets your home;
- the tie-in period and the notice you must give to end it;
- what happens if you switch agents – in some contracts you could end up owing a fee to both.
A good agent shouldn’t need to lock you into a long contract to keep your business.
Check they belong to a redress scheme
By law, every estate agent must belong to a government-approved redress scheme, such as The Property Ombudsman, which can resolve complaints if something goes wrong.
Meet the person who’ll handle your sale
It’s worth knowing who you’ll actually be dealing with. In some agencies, the person who values your home isn’t the person who does your viewings or chases your sale. Ask who will be your point of contact – and how easy they are to get hold of, including in the evenings and at weekends.
From experience
People often tell us that what they value most is having one person who knows their property and their sale completely – no being passed around, and no repeating themselves. Worth asking about before you choose.
High street, online or independent?
- High street and chain agents usually have local offices and larger teams.
- Online agents often charge less, but many ask for some or all of the fee up front, whether or not your home sells.
- Independent agents vary widely, but often offer a more personal service and more flexibility.
There’s no single right answer – it comes down to the service you want, and the evidence each agent can show you.