Buying or selling a house is usually classed as one of the most stressful times of one’s life. So how can you make it a less stressful experience?
A recent survey from Alto, a software brand operated via Zoopla, revealed the importance of agent recommendations and reviews, being ranked as important or very important by 99 percent of the survey’s respondents.
Further to the reviews and recommendations ranking high in the study, 83 percent of respondents found regular communication between estate agent and client was also relevant to them, preferring communication via email. However, 69 percent of people who were asked, thought a physical branch where customers can visit and speak in person was also important to them.
An overall 99 percent of respondents answered that receiving fast updates and feedback from their estate agent was very important. Alan Jones, sales director of Southport Estate Agent, Curlett Jones, believes transparency and good communication skills are a must for any estate agent. “A good estate agent will update clients – however a great estate agent will update and give feedback to clients faster.”
But it’s not just feedback and communication that makes a good estate agent according to Mr. Jones, but a friendly, professional and approachable manner. “Vendors are trusting us with their properties, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that trust is well placed. Ethical integrity is everything when representing property sellers and buyers.”
As one of the leading estate agencies in Southport, Curlett Jones recently won the Gold Award by the British property Awards for 2021, a mere 6-months of being established in their offices in Lord Street.
We asked Alan Jones what the 5 best attributes of a great estate agent are:
1: Being approachable. Clients need to feel comfortable with you and be able to talk to you easily and without fear of judgement;
2: Know your market. An excellent estate agent will know the local market, property values and community like the back of their hand;
3: Confidence – in themselves, their company and the property they sell. Having faith in one’s work ethics and feeling good about the job you do will motivate a good estate agent.
4: Patience. A good estate agent will need to be patient. People can often get frustrated when buying or selling a house – there may be particular aspects about the chain they are in.
5: Empathy. It’s often underestimated by estate agents, but at the end of the day, estate agents are people dealing with other people. Understanding what drives consumers, and having a little patience for the human condition can serve an estate agent well.
