I recently saw a comment on Facebook where someone said “Houses sell themselves”... It hurt. It’s not true (if it is I’ve been robbing people for the past 5 years).

Whether you love or loath estate agents... you need them as houses DO NOT sell themselves. Here’s why:

• They do not value themselves at the correct level to achieve maximum interest resulting in optimum price, quickly, avoiding stagnation and reduction.

• They do not photograph themselves to attract maximum viewings.

• They do not write a description that will give potential buyers just

  enough info, but not too much... to encourage a viewing.

• They do not promote themselves in the places they will be seen the most.

• They do not overcome people’s objections resulting in more viewings.

• They do not continuously analyse and review the marketing and make

  changes where needed to avoid stagnation.

• They do not arrange viewings in a way to creates a sense of competition and urgency.

• They do not carry out viewings in a way that starts and ends the viewing in the area of the house the buyer most wants in a property. They do not follow up viewings addressing people’s possible concerns and starting a negotiation.

• They do not negotiate the best price for themselves.

• They do not progress the sale solving the inevitable problems along the way. (survey issues, slow solicitors, etc) ... an experienced, committed, expert estate agent does.