Selling property? Use an estate agent or go it alone…

If you are looking to change your life in 2012, selling your property can be a great step. Perhaps you want to start a family and you need a bigger place or maybe you are looking for a home office space so that you can separate your private time from work. It can be difficult to decide whether to try and sell by yourself or to enlist the professional help of an estate agent, so we’ve put together some of the pros and cons of both.

Selling with an estate agent

It is essential to choose the agent that suits your needs so the first step in this process is to do your research. Ask friends and family for advice and look for an agent registered with a trade organisation so that you can check what their standards are like. Once you have decided which agent to use, read the contract carefully and research unfamiliar jargon before signing anything as this is a legally binding document. You may want to get several valuations of your home so that you have an average you can work with.

Once all of this is done, you can sit back and let the agent do the hard work of advertising your property and arranging viewings. Bear in mind that they will take a cut of the overall price that you sell for and there are often additional costs for marketing as well.

Selling on your own

If you choose to go it alone, there are internet sites offering free ads to help you along the way. Try to get an idea of the average house prices in your area before you begin so that you can sell for a competitive rate. Avoiding agent costs can be an advantage but you need to make sure you have time to show people around your home and that you are not missing out on essential help. You will need to look into elements such as an Energy Performance Certificate and you may seek to improve your home before selling. You also need to consider the market – who are you trying to sell to – before creating an effective advert. Finally make sure all of the legalities are in order once you find a buyer.