Mortgage

If you are selling a home your appointed Estate Agent will visit your home and conduct a market valuation. A market valuation is not the same as a valuation provided by a surveyor but is rather a valuation which indicates the approximate price which you will expect to realise on the sale of your property. Different Estate Agents will give different valuations of your property, don't necessarily choose the Estate Agent who gives your house the highest valuation, ask around - do you know people who have had good service from an Estate Agent?

The Estate Agent will market your property to potential buyers. This will usually involve including your property in newspaper display advertising, on their web site and by erecting signage outside your house. They will handle buyers enquiries and make arrangements for buyers to visit and view your house. Estate Agents will accept offers for your property on your behalf and liaise with you throughout the sale process.

Sometimes Estate Agents have a conveyancer in house to handle the legal sale of the property, other times they work with an outside conveyancer. In both cases however they will assist the conveyancer in the transfer process.

Remember, when you are selling your property the Estate Agent is working for you, and you are paying them for their efforts. Ensure you have a clear contract that you agree with and covers contingencies such as what happens if you decide not to sell, you decide to retain a different estate agent, you find your own buyer or your are dissatisfied with the service provided.

If you are buying a home, an Estate Agent will act for you by providing advice on the local property market into which you are considering investing. They will also invite you to register your details with them in order that they can inform you when a property appropriate to your needs becomes available for purchase. They will take you to view properties and can help you to organise the legal work should your offer to purchase be accepted.

Estate Agents are unregulated, however many belong to the National Association of Estate Agents which seeks to increase professional standards. Complaints may also be directed to an Ombudsman of Estate Agencies if the firm involved is a member of the OEA Scheme. Not all Estate Agencies are, consider these affiliations when selecting an Estate Agency to represent your interests.