Your property problems solved with Clive Brown, Property Consultant

Q: I AM house hunting currently but when I enquire about properties on the various property websites I am being told I have missed out and that they are now under offer.

How can I get to hear about these properties sooner to avoid missing out?

A: The estate agent works for the seller – but they only get paid once they sell or let the property, so will want to be able to match properties to buyers or renters quickly and efficiently.

There are several ways in which house hunters can help this process:

Start with a face-to-face meeting

This is important because you will then be a person looking for a home rather than a faceless name with requirements.

You should see all the local estate agents in the area you are interested.

All too often people rely on emails and the internet and forget the good old fashion way of just ‘talking’.

This can sometimes be the better option.

Demonstrate that you are serious from the start

Unfortunately many people mess estate agents around.

Show them you aren’t a time waster; ensure you get a mortgage in principle before you start house hunting.

This means they know that you will be able to act quickly, and will put you right at the front of the estate agent’s mind when new properties come in

Register contact details

Register your details with the estate agents – not just look at the property website’s as these can be out of date in some cases.

Give them a rough estimate of what you are looking to spend, where you want to be and what type of property you want.

Make clear which requirements you will not change, and which you are happy to be flexible about

Ask them for advice

Rather than telling them exactly what you want, ask for their advice.

Estate agents have extensive local knowledge and usually enjoy sharing it

Give specific feedback

After each viewing tell the agent what you did and did not like about the house.

This will allow the agent to build up a better picture of what it is you’re looking for.

Keep in regular touch

If they do not call you, call them every few days to tell them that you are still on the hunt, and ask if they have any news of new properties coming on the market.

If they don’t hear from you, they may assume you are no longer looking.

Equally, always respond to their emails and telephone calls even if it is just to explain why you are not interested in a property

Free up time to view properties

Good houses are sold quickly, so make sure you are available to look at them.

If you are never available, the agent won’t think you are serious.

Do not just miss a viewing – always call and cancel in good time.

It is rude not to just not show up and is likely to upset the seller and annoy the estate agent.

Be nice

The vast majority of estate agents are decent people who work hard in a very competitive market, so be nice to them.

It can be very easy to lose your cool during this stressful time, but Estate Agents are here to help and are all trying to achieve the end result.

Please continue to send in your property related questions to clive@sawyersestateagents.co.uk