Why Choosing the Right Agent is Important in a Heated Property Market



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If you’ve been keeping an eye on the property market, you’ll know that prices have been rising across the UK. In fact, the Office of National Statistics recently said that average UK house prices have increased by 10.2% in a year. That’s the highest annual growth rate since August 2007, before the financial crisis hit.

Despite the rise in prices, the demand for property is also running high. Agents are describing a heated property market, with homes selling almost as soon as they hit the market. There are several factors in play here: for those of us working through the pandemic, successive lockdowns have allowed us to save money we might otherwise have spent, as well as opening our eyes to what we really want in a home. The introduction of the 5% deposit scheme has allowed first time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder, and there has been a movement to more rural areas as buyers seek places with more land.

This boom in property is being seen nationwide, and it’s certainly true of the housing market in Birmingham, which has seen unprecedented demand for all types of properties, with many estate agents busier than they have ever been. Price growth is stronger than it has been in years and, as restrictions lift, there’s also been a surge in lettings enquiries, making the buy-to-let market a solid one for investors.

However, even with a booming market, selling a home can be a stressful experience. While some people choose to manage the process themselves, for the majority of UK homeowners, working with an estate agent is the preferred way to buy or sell their home. However, finding the right estate agent is almost as important as finding the right buyer.

So what should you consider when searching for an estate agent?

Beware of high valuations.
It’s tempting when speaking with several estate agents to go with the one who assigns your home the highest value. It makes sense, right? Not really. An over-inflated valuation may be offered by an agent simply to get your business, and, if you go with it, can result in you having to reduce your price, as well as extending the amount of time your property is on the market. So do your research. Look at sold prices and selling times, whether your agent is familiar with your area, and what the ceiling price is on your street before being tempted by shiny ££ signs.

Know your property.
Another thing to consider is whether or not your agent has sold properties similar to yours before. This may not be appropriate if you’re selling a part-ruined castle or converted monastery, of course, but for most sellers we would recommend looking at similar properties for sale in your area as a starting point to find a suitable agent – someone who is familiar with your type of property will know who to sell it to, how to value it and how to market it. They may also already have a pool of potential buyers just waiting to snap up a property like yours.

Check the reviews
Checking reviews are part of just about every online purchase these days, and the same can be said of searching for an estate agent. But don’t just go by what’s written online – ask friends and neighbours for recommendations and check community forums to make sure you really are getting what it says on the box.

Fees Fees Fees
Estate Agents charge a fee for the work they do to sell your home. However, while it may be tempting to go for the lowest fee, do your research. Does the agent know your area? Do they have a good track record selling properties similar to yours? What other services do they offer? Rather than simply opting for the cheapest option, choose someone who you feel will use their knowledge and expertise to get you the best possible price for your home in the shortest amount of time, making the process smooth and easy for you.

So if you’re looking to sell your home, make sure you do your research first. Finding the right agent is a hugely important part of the process, and can make a difference to both the ease of process and the final selling price. After all, for most people, our homes are the biggest investment we will ever make in our lives, so it makes sense to put their sale in the hands of someone we trust.

How We Can Help

Once you’ve decided to sell your apartment, flat or house, you can rest assured that your sale will be taken care of. Our agents hold an esteemed position within the Birmingham property industry and have an insatiable appetite for the latest market trends. Our dedicated team are on hand to ensure that the process of selling your home is as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Use our free valuation tool and to receive your free property value estimate online instantly with James Laurence. Find out how much your property is worth hassle-free, based on up to date local market values. https://jameslaurenceuk.com/instant-valuation/

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The people we've helped
  • 5 star review  We recently switched from another letting agency to James Laurence, as we found their team so warm and friendly and loved the local aspect of the agency. The team have absolutely exceeded our expectations, making the changeover feel so seamless and finding new tenants for our apartment at really short notice. Lotti could not have been more wonderful to work with, going completely above and beyond to ensure our tenants could move in just before Christmas. We felt an immediate affinity with her and have so appreciated her attention to detail, quick thinking and creativity. She has made us feel so at ease, supported and like our property is in the safest of hands. Charlotte and Melissa have also been so helpful and lovely to deal with during the process. Having worked with several other agencies in Birmingham, I cannot recommend James Laurence highly enough. Look no further, they are the best!

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    12/28/2022
  • 5 star review  The team at James Laurence was very helpful when I tried to find an apartment in Birmingham. I was in contact with a different letting agency but things fell through and they couldn't help me. A colleague of mine recommended James Laurence Lettings so I emailed them immediately since I was was moving from Sweden and the move would take place in less than a week. The team at James Laurence responded within 5 minutes and managed to offer me a few different apartment-options. Things proceeded quickly and smoothly and just a few days later I had they keys to the apartment. James Laurence helped me every step of the way and went above and beyond to accommodate my requests. The only minor negative thing I can say is that the interntal communication could be improved a tiny bit. I received slightly different information depending on who I was speaking with at the time. When I said I received different information earlier the person I spoke to said she would talk to her colleagues and then get in contact with me later with the "correct" information which she did and the issue got solved very quick.

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    10/15/2022
  • 5 star review  Our experience with James Laurence Estate Agents was absolutely fantastic! Melissa Wilson made the application and referencing process smooth and easy with excellent communication. Everyone we spoke with from the office was kind, helpful, and welcoming. To top it all off, the loft we moved into was even better than the pictures! We are thrilled with our new home and we would absolutely recommend James Laurence to anyone looking for a place to live!

    thumb Dominic James
    10/02/2022
  • 5 star review  I have been very impressed with James Laurence, who have recently sold my property. Having previously had a poor experience with Purple Bricks, I instructed James Laurence to help sell my property. I have worked with Henry throughout the whole process and have found him to be very professional and knowledgeable as well as being efficient. It can't be stressed enough how important this is to have an estate agent that responds quickly, negotiates well and truly understands the market (especially during uncertain times like recently with the cover pandemic). I have briefly worked with Caroline and some of the other team members who also seem to be very efficient and friendly. Thanks again to James Laurence who I would fully recommend to anyone looking to Buy/Sell in Birmingham.

    thumb David Jolly
    6/16/2022
  • 5 star review  I recently sold my property with James Laurence, and the overall experience was great. They demonstrated a good knowledge of the Birmingham property market when discussing sales strategy, marketing and pricing (more than I was expecting) towards the beginning of my experience with them. This showed when we achieved 2 asking price offers within the first couple days of showings. Once an offer was accepted, their support did not stop there, Caroline (Sales Progression) did a fantastic job at liaising between myself and the buyers side, helping to progress items and remove any potential blockers. I would fully recommend James Laurence to anyone looking to Buy/Sell in Birmingham.

    thumb Jack Darby
    5/20/2022