What you need to know about working with an estate agent

Although working with an estate agent when buying, renting or selling a property is very popular, there are still people who are sceptical about this kind of help. Quite wrongly, because a good agent can significantly speed up the whole transaction, increase our profit and take care of all the legal aspects, that is, make the whole procedure safer. What else do you need to know when starting to work with an agent? That is what today's article is about.

Whether you want to sell, buy or rent a property, in all of these activities you can count on the support of an estate agent. But before you choose your agent, check what you can expect.

Working with an estate agent – how much does it cost?

The cost of working with an estate agent will vary depending on the type of services we want to use. Most agents, however, work on the basis of a commission on the completed transaction. So if you want to sell a flat, the agent's commission will be a set percentage of the property's price. It is similar for buying or renting. Some agents also charge a fee to people looking for a flat to rent.

The first conversation with an estate agent – how to prepare?

If we want our cooperation with the agent to go well and bring as many benefits as possible, let us prepare properly for the first conversation. A professional estate agent should conduct a thorough interview with us to establish our needs and expectations, as well as our financial means. We ourselves should also know what we want, which will make it much easier for us to choose listings that satisfy us.

The first meeting is also the right moment to revise any unrealistic expectations. Some clients expect exceptionally attractive or conveniently located flats at very low prices. Or the opposite: having a decades-old flat on the outskirts of the city to sell, they expect astronomical sums. Part of the agent's job is also to bring clients' expectations back to reality.

What does working with an estate agent look like?

Selling or buying a flat with the help of an estate agent is a multi-stage process. After the first introductory conversation and the establishment of expectations, an agency agreement is signed.

If we are selling a flat, the agent will begin the process of looking for potential buyers for us. This will involve showing interested people around the property, which the agent should also take on. Once buyers are found, the moment of negotiation arrives. Here too you can count on the agent's support, as it is in their interest to sell our flat for the highest possible amount.

If, on the other hand, we want to buy a property, we will be presented with listings that meet our expectations and fall within our financial means. We will also be able to view the properties that interest us.

In the case of both selling and buying a property, the agent is responsible for finalising the transaction, preparing all the necessary documents and checking the property from a legal standpoint. Thanks to working with them, the transaction becomes fully safe for both parties.

When the sale, purchase or rental is completed, the cooperation with the agent ends at that stage. If we choose the right specialist, we will be guided comfortably through the whole process and will soon be able to enjoy our dream home or the money from the property sold.