One of the most critical decisions you’ll make when selling your home is choosing an estate agent.

More than just finding someone to list your property, it’s about finding a capable confidant who understands your goals, knows the market well, and has what it takes to make your move a success.

Before you put your home on the market, asking the right questions can ensure you make the right choice from the start and avoid months of wasted time and accompanying stress.

With that in mind, we’ve put together fifteen crucial questions to ask every estate agent you meet, divided into the following five key areas:

• Experience & Local Acumen
  
  
• Valuation & Sales Strategy
  
  
• Marketing & Buyer Outreach
  
  
• Communication & Feedback
  
  
• Fees & Contractual Clarity
  
  

Getting answers to these critical questions will help you assess each agent’s expertise, strategy, and commitment, so let’s get started with finding your perfect selling partner!


EXPERIENCE & LOCAL ACUMEN
Local experience truly matters, and an agent deeply embedded in your area offers invaluable market insights around buyer demographics, property values and how long it takes to sell, so ask them:

• How long have you been selling in this area, and why do people buy here today?

Demonstrates not only an agent’s longevity, but also their depth of understanding of local nuances like schools, transport and amenities, as well as typical buyer profiles.

• What’s your average time to sell homes in this postcode compared to the market average?
  Reveals an agent’s efficiency, with faster sales than the local average indicating strong marketing, accurate pricing, and proactive management.
  
  
• Can you provide recent examples of other homes that have sold nearby?
  We’d argue this should be standard procedure for every agent, signalling complete market awareness – look for specific addresses, sale prices, and how long they took to sell.
  
  

A seasoned local agent with intimate knowledge is essential for effective pricing and targeted marketing, giving you a distinct advantage in reaching your perfect buyer.


VALUATION & SALES STRATEGY

A credible agent will happily justify their valuation with firm evidence and articulate a clear plan for you, so look for answers to:

• How did you arrive at your valuation, and what comparable sales support it?
  They should present a detailed picture of recent local sales, current market conditions, and how your home’s unique features and condition influenced their figure.
  
  
• What’s your initial marketing strategy, and how will you adapt if it doesn’t work?
  You’re looking for an outline of initial steps, target buyers, and the key selling points an agent sees in your home. They should also explain their ‘Plan B’ in case there’s insufficient interest.
  
  
• How do you handle offers to make sure I accept the right one?
  A good agent will explain their negotiation tactics, process for presenting offers, and how they verify complete chains or confirm the financial status of buyers.
  
  

In short, a transparent valuation combined with a flexible and well-considered sales strategy is absolutely vital – accept nothing less.

MARKETING & BUYER OUTREACH

Your chosen agent shouldn’t just list your home; they should actively market it across diverse channels to ensure it reaches the widest possible pool of qualified buyers.

• What specific marketing channels and platforms will you use to showcase my property?

As well as asking which property portals they use and why, get them to tell you about their social media, email, website, and any other initiatives – a multi-channel approach is key.

• Will my property have professional photography and floor plans as standard?
  High-quality visuals are non-negotiable, and professional photos and floor plans significantly increase engagement and qualify serious viewers.
  
  
• How will you actively generate viewings and qualify potential buyers?

It’s not enough to just wait for enquiries, so ask each agent how they proactively contact their database of buyers to ensure high-quality viewings that lead to offers.

A comprehensive and dynamic marketing plan ensures your home stands out by maximising interest to accelerate your sale. If it doesn’t feel exciting to you, keep looking for one that does.


COMMUNICATION & FEEDBACK

The bedrock of a successful agent-seller relationship is regular and open communication that keeps you informed and confident, so don’t be afraid to ask questions like:

• How often will you keep me updated on progress?
  Whether it’s a weekly call, a fortnightly email, or an online customer area, establish what you expect upfront, and get the agent’s promises in writing.
  
  
• What’s your process for providing detailed feedback from viewings?
  Simply hearing “they liked it” or “it wasn’t for them” isn’t enough. You need constructive commentary – both positive and negative – to keep moving towards a sale.
  
  
• Who will be my primary point of contact, and when are they available?
  Knowing exactly who to speak to avoids frustration, so clarify if you’ll have a dedicated agent or a team, and whether each agent has target timeframes for responding to questions.
  
  

A great estate agent will leave you feeling supported, in control, and in good hands, so look for clear communication and genuine interest – these are strong indicators of how they’ll truly work for you.


FEES & CONTRACTUAL CLARITY

Understanding the financial and contractual aspects of the agreement with your estate agent is essential, so dive into the details by asking:

• What exactly is included in your fee, and are there any additional charges?
  Go beyond the headline percentage to check if it includes VAT, and whether there are extra costs for photography, floor plans, accompanied viewings, or even a ‘for sale’ board.
  
  
• How long is the contract, and are there any notice periods or withdrawal fees?
  Some agency agreements tie you in for 6 months, but whatever the length of time, ask about the implications and constraints of switching agents if things don’t work out.
  
  
• How do I know you’re acting in my best interests from beginning to end?
  Look for answers that highlight an obvious commitment to providing advice that prioritises your move over their commission. If they sound vague, dig deeper or look elsewhere.
  
  

Being completely clear on every agent’s terms and conditions ensures you sign a fair and mutually beneficial agreement, and the best agents will always be totally transparent with you.


Ready to Choose The Perfect Estate Agent For You?
We’re here to build strong, trusting partnerships rooted in expert guidance and unwavering commitment to help you navigate your sale.

We’d love to answer all your questions and show you how we’ve helped many sellers to turn their moving dream into reality, so send us a DM to arrange a chat.