A recent survey revealed that people under 35 are more likely to put their trust in estate agents than older people*. In fact, trust is vital when you are charging an estate agent to sell your London property - probably the most expensive asset you own.

In order to get the most from your estate agent – and to ensure they realise the true value of your property – good research is just as important as trust. With years of helping both buyers and sellers under our belt, TK International has prepared a guide to help you choose the best agent for your property. You might like to consider the following:-

  • Ask people in the local neighbourhood for their experiences and recommendations
  • Look for an agent that has sold properties similar to yours, ideally in your local area
  • Lots of sold signs in your area is a good indication of an agent’s performance

Valuations

  • Research properties in your area online and see what prices they have sold for. Remember, an asking price isn’t always what a buyer ends up paying
  • Don’t always go for the highest valuation – it may not reflect your circumstances. If you want to move quickly, a lower, more attractive valuation may get the desired sale
  • Request valuations from three different agents to get a fair reflection of the market
  • If using an instant online valuation tool, remember it will not take into account the individual condition or status of your home

Online presence and marketing

  • When you have your short list of estate agent’s, explore their websites to see how it presents information and properties for sale in north west London
  • Ask what property portals the agent lists with – the most searched are Zoopla,, Primelocation and Onthemarket
  • Ask what’s included in the marketing: floorplans, 360˚ or audio tours and glossy brochures

Estate agent regulatory bodies

  • Check if the estate agent is a member of industry bodies such as the NAEA, The Property Ombudsman and The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
  • If you are renting a property in northwest London, key industry affiliations include ARLA and NALS, along with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme membership

Checking proactivity

  • Check the number of qualified buyers registered – there should already be a list of potential buyers keen to book viewings.
  • Enquire whether the agent will hold a key to conduct viewings when you’re not there and if they accompany viewings every time
  • Ask if there is a sales progressor to keep transactions on track, should you accept an offer.

Daniel Epstein of TK International – north west London estate agents - comments: “Finding an estate agent you can trust is a big part of the process but making sure they work hard to achieve the best sale price for your property is down to their business attitude and approach to sales. Asking the right questions before you instruct an agent will give you confidence when the ‘for sale’ board goes up.”

We can advise on all aspects of the home moving process, as well as show you a selection of properties for sale in Hampstead and the surrounding area and provide a free home valuation. If you need any help with property, please contact TK International today.