FINDING A "GOOD" ESTATE AGENT

I have covered this topic before, but think it is time it got another airing, with a few additions. With the property market continuing to be tough, and with buyers in short supply, one thing agents should do in conjunction with landlords, is ensure that every single one of their properties is not only priced right, but is presented to the highest standard. Well that’s what you’d think would happen already, but some agents it seems are still letting the side down!

Estate agents have a bad enough name as it is and no wonder when you look at how some agents present their properties. Bad spelling, bad grammar and terrible unclear photos, it still astonishes me when I look at some of the basic mistakes that estate agents make. Presentation is one of the key elements of selling any property whether it is a smelly 2 bed flat or a luxury 4 bed detached house. An English man’s or should I say Nigerian man’s home is their castle, and owners want to see their property shown in its best light. So why do agents still make their jobs even more difficult than they have to by not getting it right in the first place? Spelling and grammar are extremely important to get right. Selling a property as a “ detatched, acommodation” without checking the spelling is embarrassing. When I see so many basic spelling mistakes in adverts, I wonder why? It takes 5 minutes to spell check and proof read property particulars to get the address and details right before they are sent off for advertisement. What confidence is the seller going to have in their agent if they have to circle all the typo errors on the property details?  Also how are they going to feel when they look at the photos on the internet, and think they could have done it better themselves

Nigeria is still behind the world in advertising online. The internet is now the estate agents shop window, it’s where abroad. 99% of buyers see a property for the first time. With this in mind, and with agents wanting their properties to stand out from the competition, time has to be taken to ensure that all the photos are helping to create more interest in the property. Dustbins, unmade beds, cluttered surfaces and dirty toilets/bathrooms should not be included in photos. It takes two minutes to move those unsightly dustbins from the front of the house to get the best shot, and why not help the seller clear those kitchen tops before you click away. I have never had a seller complain that I want to move a few things before I take the shot, and when they see the finished article they will thank you for taking the time to get it right. Property details should be accurate and not misleading, and there should be more regulation in our industry, to stop the inexperienced cowboys tarnishing Estate agents reputation further and instead help build a reputation as Agents that know what they are doing

Maybe the business of buying, selling and letting property will eventually go fully online, and maybe in 5 years time ALL Estate agents will have on line web sites, one thing is certain is that clients in particular still like to know that you have an office that is prominent and visible, somewhere they can come and talk to you about their properties or their needs. Even though it’s accepted that the potential buyers and tenants all search online, sellers in particular still want to know that the agent has an office presence, and more importantly that their property will be advertised professionally and will reach a wide audience