Beware of the Giants!

01 Nov 2013

When choosing an estate agent to represent your best interests in your sale you have a variety of agency styles from which to choose. However, the greatest differentiator is whether you employ an independent agency or one that is a member of a national "corporate" chain.

A recent Channel 4 Dispatches documentary gave an indication of some of the risks associated with appointing an agency, such as the High Street corporates featured in the programme, whose agents appear to be heavily incentivised to sell mortgages to their buyers.

Issues raised included preference being given to offers from buyers who took out mortgages through the agency, properties being withdrawn from the market when under offer to a "favourite buyer" who also received "priority viewings" on new properties. All of these practices are unlawful. Whilst the corporate head office responses were predictably responsible, with individual agents being suspended, it does highlight the displaced loyalties that can be prompted by an over-emphasis on the sale of ancillary services.

Whilst a national presence and standardized procedure appear impressive, are they relevant or meaningful locally? Just like the mighty McDonald's - you know what you're getting, but is that what you really want? Will you regret it?

At Peter Heron Residential Sales & Lettings, we never forget whom we represent - our client, the seller. You can be assured that any offers we submit will have been thoroughly qualified and only those we feel are most likely to deliver the best result will be recommended, irrespective of the source of the mortgage, and all offers will be submitted promptly. We encourage offers from as many buyers as possible so that you ultimately have the greatest choice of buyers and resultant chance of a successful sale.

Our reputation in Sunderland is based on fairness combined with pro-activity and integrity combined with results. We'd like to keep it that way!

Should you be contemplating a sale, please feel free to contact us on 0191 515 3323 for a free no-obligation market appraisal of your property.