What home sellers and buyers value in an Estate Agent

In the digital age, home buyers and sellers have more tools and tech-based solutions at their disposal than ever before. Yet, when it comes to moving house (one of the most stressful processes life can throw at you), people still turn to living, breathing #EstateAgents to help them through.

With fewer opportunities to win over prospects face-to-face, getting their attention online is only the first hurdle.?When you do connect with a customer, what qualities will make them choose you over another agent? Here’s what buyers and sellers are looking for in an Estate Agent, according to research.

A rapport with the branch staff was found to be an important consideration when choosing an Estate Agent to deal with. An easy way to implement this is to ask questions and make notes right from the first contact. From there, you can ask follow-up questions –?How was your honeymoon? Did your football team win last week??– in the next communications. The personal touch is still valued (and arguably makes an even greater impression) in the age of the internet.

Better still, people enjoy working with one person consistently. If Geoff completes the SmartVal but Deborah comes out to the in-person valuation and then the seller instructs Andy to take on the sale, it can feel a little disjointed. Stay consistent with a single point of contact if possible. If a seller has been working with one agent but someone else steps in for whatever reason, acknowledge the change to assuage their concerns.

Reagan Bradley and Spencer Lawrence from Paramount Properties share some insightful lead-nurturing tips for #LettingAgents in our latest podcast.?Click here to listen in.

Sellers can’t be lumped into a single bucket. Each will have different levels of experience and requirements. First-time sellers may need more handholding. Investors want lots of data. But all want a tailored service to suit their needs and experience.

According to GetAgent , 37% of homeowners surveyed (out of 1,059 in May 2021) want to achieve a sales price that is close to the marketed price of the property. While 30% of respondents were looking for a smooth sales process, only 9% said that speed was important. Interestingly, only 7% of homeowners asked rated a low agent fee as a top priority.

With that in mind, it appears that vendors are looking for quality over quantity, and how well the agent can source interested buyers.

In any industry, knowledge is power, but it’s particularly true for agents looking to win more instructions. Understanding buying and selling trends, knowing the sold prices from houses nearby and continued education are doors to opportunity.

Stay on top of industry developments as well as local property news so you're always equipped to deal with sellers' queries (or volunteer relevant information if they don't ask specific questions).

Around 98% of people search for their next home using property portals. Serious buyers will have set up alerts for their chosen area or house type. When you list a property on these portals, millions will see it. Even if you have your own pipeline of ready and waiting buyers on your system, you have a better chance of a successful sale by populating it on the portals.

With Boomin, you can generate interest in properties coming to the market instantly. Find sellers faster by signing up for?SmartVal. House valuation leads are delivered directly to you, offering you a chance to connect with more interested vendors.

If you have a strong referral network coupled with a solid online presence and a Boomin profile, generating valuation leads shouldn’t be a problem for you. And now you know what sellers value in an agent, you’ll be able to convert even more into instructions and successful sales.