
What Estate Agents Don’t Want You to Know About Selling Your Home
What Estate Agents Don’t Want You to Know About Selling Your Home 🏡
Selling your home? While estate agents can be helpful allies, there are a few industry secrets they might conveniently forget to mention. Let’s pull back the curtain and reveal what you really need to know…
1. “That Dream Valuation? It’s Probably Too Good to Be True”
Agents often overvalue properties to win your business. Why? Higher valuations = happy sellers = signed contracts. But when buyers don’t bite, you’ll face awkward price drops later. 💸
- ✅ Do this: Get 3+ valuations and cross-check with property portals like Rightmove.
2. Hidden Fees Are Hiding in Plain Sight
That “competitive commission” might exclude:
- 📸 Premium photography charges
- 📋 Mandatory EPC certificates
- 💻 “Featured listing” upsells
Always ask for a full breakdown of costs upfront!
3. They Want a Quick Sale… But Not Your Best Price
Agents prioritize speed over price to boost their commission-per-hour ratio. A £10k drop in your sale price costs them just £200-£300 in commission. 😱
4. Online Agents vs High Street – They’re All the Same!
Shh… Most “discount” online agents use the same local negotiators as traditional firms. The difference? You’re paying for fewer services. 🕵️♂️
5. DIY Viewings Can Backfire
Agents sometimes push you to handle viewings to save their time. But without training, you might:
- 👎 Overshare about noisy neighbors
- 👎 Highlight flaws accidentally
- 👎 Struggle to close the deal
Pro Tip: Shadow an agent during their first viewing to learn their techniques!
6. Their “Negotiation Skills” Are Basic at Best
Many agents rely on tired tactics like:
“We’ve got another offer coming in tomorrow…”
“This is already under the asking price...”
“My client really wants to move quickly…”
Prepare counter-strategies in advance!
7. Your Renovations Probably Add Zero Value
Agents love suggesting upgrades to “increase appeal”, but most ROI stats are myths:
Upgrade | Cost | Value Added |
---|---|---|
New Kitchen | £15k | £5-7k |
Loft Conversion | £30k | £15k |
Ready to Sell Smarter? 🧠
Now that you’re armed with these secrets, you can:
- 🛡️ Avoid overpricing traps
- 💷 Negotiate better terms
- 📈 Maximize your profit
Remember: Knowledge is power when navigating the property market!