How to Find the Best Property Agent For You

Whether you’re buying, selling or need property support as a landlord, working with the right third-party agent is critical.

While a large majority of people will use a property agent to sell or buy their property, according to the most recent English Private Landlord Survey, only around 43% of landlords use an agent for letting services, and only 18% use an agent to manage the property fully.

Most surprising, however, is that 52% of landlords don’t use an agent at all.

Many landlords, whether they’re just starting or have become ‘incidental’ landlords, don’t realise the amount of effort that goes into successfully running an investment property. It’s not a stretch to say that running a property can quickly become a full-time job, especially when you’re screening tenants, collecting rent and having to manage maintenance issues or marketing. 

It’s unsurprising, then, that in a more recent Uswitch survey, nearly 63% of landlords said they’d use a property agent to manage the process for them in the future.

But what should you look for in a property agent? Fundamentally, you want a third-party that’s going to work for you, make life easier and ensure you’re not having to deal with the stresses that come with being a landlord. With that in mind, here’s how to find the best property agent for you.

What Does a Property Agent Typically Do?

Before you jump into your search, it’s a good idea to understand what you need from a third-party property agent. They often provide a range of services based around buying, selling and property management, although this can change based on the needs of the customer. 

The most common tasks they’ll provide are:

Searching and Finding Properties: Property managers will assist buyers by taking down your needs and preferences before providing potential matches.

Selling Your Property: If you’re selling a property – whether that’s your own home or an investment asset – a property manager will usually value the property, market it for you, arrange and provide viewings and then support negotiations for the best price. 

Admin Support: This is a major point for investors, who typically have to handle large amounts of administration. Property managers will typically handle this for you. While this saves you time and effort, it’s also generally a guarantee that everything will be submitted correctly and on time.

Providing Advice: An often-overlooked service that property agents provide is advice and support. One of the many things that landlords struggle with is researching and understanding the market. By working alongside a property agent, you’ll receive the benefit of local market values, how the market is trending, how the process works and even where to potentially invest.

Managing the Transaction: Regardless of your reason for buying or selling, working alongside a property agent is a great way of managing the overall transaction, ensuring the process is moving forward and any potential challenges are mitigated.

How to Find the Best Property Agent For You

If you’re considering working with a property agent, it can be overwhelming to decide who to work with. There are a lot of different businesses out there, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. The question really boils down to, what works for you?

Choose an agent based on your needs

The first step to take is understanding your needs and what you need support with. If you’re buying a home, for example, you’ll want an agent who understands that process. Likewise, if you’re a landlord, consider working with an agent who specialises in lettings and has a good understanding of the local market.

The best way to do this is to get recommendations, perform your own research and then dig into what services the agent offers before giving them a try. 

Check the agent’s credentials

Any property agent worth their salt will have the right accreditations, so make sure you’re checking these before you start working with them. You’ll want to see if they’re a member of the Property Ombudsman Scheme, as well as any membership bodies such as the National Association of Estate Agents or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Likewise, it may sound obvious, but if the agent has won awards, there’s a good chance they’ll be able to provide a credible and effective service.

Take a look at the service offering

When you’re choosing a property agent, it’s always a good idea to check what services they provide as well as what’s included in their basic offering and what’s chargeable. Some of the things you’ll want to check include: 

• Who conducts viewings or tenant meetings?
• What marketing is provided as standard (photography, floor plans, virtual tours etc)
• How big is their customer/client database?
• How will they go about marketing the property in terms of channels (online advertising, property portals, out of home marketing such as signs or display boards)

When you have a good understanding of what they offer and you’ve asked questions similar to the above, you’ll be in a better place to choose the right property agent for you.

It’s also important to remember not to skimp when choosing an agent. Property is likely one of the biggest transactions you’ll make, and while it might seem worthwhile choosing an agent with lower fees, it might come back to bite you in the long run. Always choose quality over cost, especially when you’re an investor who’s buying or selling. 

Take a look at their existing marketing

A great way to identify a good property agent is by looking at their existing marketing, whether that’s online or out of home, such as billboards or display signs. 

Online marketing is usually the best indicator of this. Photography, virtual tours and display banners are typically standard fare in today’s market, and you’ll want to make sure theirs is high-quality and extensive. For example, here at FleetMilne, we use the latest 360-degree camera technology to map out our tours alongside high-quality photography to ensure the best marketing.

Invite several agents to support you

The adage is that you should always shop around before making a commitment, and the same applies here. You’ll want to speak with several property agents before you make a choice. A good tactic is to invite them to conduct a valuation, as this gives you a broader idea of the property value while also letting you test their understanding of the local market.

With all of this in mind, if you need support with a property in Birmingham – whether that’s buying, selling or as part of an investment – FleetMilne is ideally positioned to help you.

We have over two decades of experience in the market and understand exactly what it takes to sell, invest or manage a Birmingham property, ensuring you’re getting the best value for your money. You can learn more about our sales, lettings, property management and investment service offerings here.