What Are You Getting Into?
A Step-by-Step Guide to How a Quality Estate Agent Saves You Stress and Secures the Best Price
Selling a home isn’t just about listing it online and waiting for buyers to appear. A good estate agent does far more than that—guiding you through every step, handling the complexities, and ultimately helping you achieve the best possible price with minimal stress.
If you haven’t moved in a while, you might not realise just how much work goes on behind the scenes. Here’s a breakdown of what a quality agent actually does—and why choosing the right one makes all the difference.
Step 1: Compliance and Legal Readiness – Setting You Up for a Smooth Sale
Selling a home involves legal and regulatory requirements. A professional agent will:
Verify legal ownership and ensure paperwork is in order.
Advise on EPCs, ID verification, and anti-money laundering checks to avoid delays later.
Guide you on required disclosures to prevent issues after an offer is accepted.This ensures you’re sale-ready and avoids legal hiccups that could derail the process later.
Step 2: Valuation – Pricing Your Home for Maximum Return
A good agent doesn’t just pick a price—they use market expertise to:
Assess local market trends and recent comparable sales.
Find the pricing sweet spot to attract buyers while maximising your return.
Explain how pricing impacts interest levels, negotiation power, and speed of sale.Overpricing can leave your home sitting on the market, while underpricing could mean money left on the table. Getting this right is crucial.
Step 3: Marketing – Creating Demand and Showcasing Your Home
A strong marketing strategy makes all the difference. This includes:
High-quality photography and videography to make your listing stand out.
Targeted online exposure—not just on property portals but also through social media and agency databases.
Compelling listing descriptions that highlight your home’s best features.
Buyer targeting—reaching motivated buyers looking for a property like yours.First impressions matter, and professional marketing ensures your home attracts the right interest quickly.
Step 4: Viewings – Managing Interest Professionally
A great agent doesn’t just open doors—they sell your home during viewings by:
Preparing the property to showcase its best features.
Handling buyer questions, highlighting the value and potential of your home.
Offering flexible viewing times to capture the most interest.
Providing honest feedback to help adjust your strategy if needed.Many homes sell because an agent understands what buyers need to hear—this is where expertise really counts.
Step 5: Negotiation – Securing the Best Price and the Right Buyer
Once offers come in, your agent’s negotiation skills can mean the difference between a good offer and a great one. A strong agent will:
Qualify buyers to ensure they’re serious and financially prepared.
Negotiate effectively, leveraging demand to push up offers.
Advise on choosing the best buyer, not just the highest offer (cash buyers or chain-free buyers may be more secure).The goal? Not just a high price, but a sale that actually goes through smoothly.
Step 6: Sales Progression – Keeping the Sale on Track
Once an offer is accepted, the real work begins. A top-tier agent will:
Liaise with solicitors to keep legal work moving.
Chase paperwork and surveys to avoid unnecessary delays.
Solve issues proactively—whether it’s a slow mortgage process, survey problems, or chain complications.Sales fall through far too often due to poor communication—your agent should keep everything on track to avoid this happening.
Step 7: The Practical Elements of Moving
A good agent doesn’t disappear once contracts are signed. They can also:
Help with removal services and local moving resources.
Coordinate between buyers, sellers, and solicitors for a smooth handover.
Advise on the best time to complete based on your needs.Selling Your Home? Let’s Make It Stress-Free.
If you’re thinking about moving, choosing the right agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. At Olivers, we guide you through every step—ensuring a smooth, stress-free sale that gets you the best possible price.
Contact us today for a valuation or to discuss your move.