Researching good estate agents

It's really important to spend some time researching local agents. You should be looking for an agent that is experienced in selling property like yours - they will have a good pool of potential buyers and know what they are looking for in a property. 

Look in the local newspaper or online but also drive or walk around your area to see which agents are marketing other flats and houses in your neighbourhood. It's also a good idea to speak to friends, family members and neighbours to see if they can recommend an estate agent. 

Once you've identified the companies selling properties similar to yours, visit their offices. To get a real idea of how hard they'd work to sell your property if you were to market with them, pretend to be a buyer interested in properties like your own and see how helpful the staff are. 

Try to make a shortlist of three good agents as this gives you a decent range of views, and invite each to give you a property valuation. Although of course getting a good selling price will be top of your list, don't automatically go with the agent that offers you the highest valuation - they may be overvaluing your property in order to get your business.

Make sure you check exactly what services they offer and whether you will have to pay extra for them. Will they conduct viewings, or will you need to? What marketing materials will they prepare? For example, floorplans, photographs or virtual online tours? These are just some of the areas to consider ahead of the process of choosing a new agent for your property. Also look at where will they advertise? For example, newspapers, online property websites? This again is key as to how you stand in getting a sale on your property.