A recent YouGov poll reveals that fees are the most important factor in choosing an estate agents, while the majority say maximum exposure of their property is the key to attaining the best price for a home.
Over a third (35%) of respondents say that the most important factor when choosing an estate or letting agents is the fees the respective agents charge. A fifth (20%) say that a recommendation is the foremost factor, while 15% said location.
Less important factors included the number of properties the agent is selling or letting (5%) and the number of boards the agent has in the area (2%). Only 2% said the most important factor was the local print media the agent advertised in, possibly influenced by the decline of this genre of media, or the general effectiveness of this form of advertising.
Furthermore 74% strongly or somewhat agreed that the greater marketing exposure a house receives, the higher the price of the property will be. Those looking to sell should ensure their homes are listed on all major property website therefore. 27% disagreed with this argument.
Most pertinently, four in five (80%) would consider switching agents if they felt their property was not getting the maximum exposure that it could, signalling there is room for agents to compete with each other while also underlining the importance of the online presence of the property. 14% would looks to renegotiate fees in that case, while 6% stay with the agents anyway.
Stuart Wood, Research Executive at YouGov says; ‘The results underline that those looking to sell or let still prioritise affordability and cost above other considerations when choosing an estate agents. The lack of importance placed on print media advertising relates to the belief that heightened exposure online is the catalyst to achieving a good price for a property, and those agents that don’t provide it for their customers are liable to see them move elsewhere.’
