Choosing an Agent to sell your home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make! Choosing an Estate Agent that understands it's your home not your property, is to us perhaps the most important part of making the decision.

Ask family and friends, there is no better way of choosing your Agent than asking people you trust for there honest opinion and recommendations and experiences of the local market.

Always get at least 3 local Agents round to value your property, and never ever pay for these valuations. Once you have met all 3 who felt right? Who showed understanding, knowledge, passion? Don't always be swayed by the highest valuation, some Agents will value higher just to get you on board. The right Agent will market your property at a price you all agree on.

Be a mystery shopper! Visit a variety of local Agents, ask them to help you with your property search, are they polite? Were you welcomed warmly? Remember these people will be selling your most expensive asset and you need to know that anyone wanting to buy your property will be treated warmly. Was there window display current and up to date? Do the properties displayed look inviting? Most importantly did they promote similar properties to what you requested.

Read Reviews! Although many review sites need to be taken with a pinch of salt, there are trusted websites such as allagents.co.uk that focus solely on Estate Agent reviews, does the Agent have good reviews and plenty of them? 

What are there opening hours and viewing arrangements? Do they work late evenings and weekends? We live in a 24/7 society is your Agent accessible at all times? Do they do all viewings? We view at anytime that suits all parties even Sundays and there is a huge demand for this.

There are many other indicators as to who is doing well in your area such as SOLD boards, marketing campaigns, number of offices. This does not necessarily mean that these are the best Agents for you! Sometimes the larger Agents lose focus as they take on to many similar properties, you want to know your Agent is dedicated to selling your property. Also sometimes the larger Agents tend to send there best people round to value your property and then leave viewings to a inexperienced employee who has never seen your property before or dealt with negotiations.

So in summary, go with your instinct, bigger isnt always better !! The relationship you have with your Agent should be a simple, uncomplicated one built on trust.