Choosing an estate agent is one of the most important decisions you'll make when selling your home. The wrong choice can cost you thousands — in a lower sale price, a longer time on market, or both. These questions will help you make the right call before you sign anything.

1. What have you sold nearby, and for how much?

Ask for a list of comparable properties they've sold in your area in the last six months — not just a headline figure. You want to see the asking price, the achieved price, and how long each property took to sell. An agent who can't or won't provide this data is one to be cautious of.

In Hart District, local knowledge matters. An agent who regularly sells in Fleet, Hook or Hartley Wintney will understand the buyer pool, the school catchment dynamics, and the price points that actually achieve a sale — not just an optimistic valuation.

2. How did you arrive at this valuation?

Every agent will give you a valuation. The question is whether it's grounded in evidence or designed to win your instruction. Ask them to walk you through the comparable sales they've used. If the valuation is significantly higher than others you've received, ask specifically what justifies the difference.

Overvaluing to win the instruction — then recommending a price reduction a few weeks later — is a well-known tactic. A property that sits on the market too long becomes stigmatised, and buyers start to wonder what's wrong with it.

3. What is your fee, and what does it include?

Estate agent fees in the UK typically range from 1% to 3% of the sale price, plus VAT. Make sure you understand exactly what's included — professional photography, floor plans, Rightmove and Zoopla listings, accompanied viewings, and negotiation support should all be standard. Ask what costs extra.

Also check the tie-in period and the notice required to leave. Some contracts lock you in for 12–16 weeks with a lengthy notice period on top. If the agent isn't performing, you want to be able to move on without a fight.

4. Who will be handling my sale day to day?

The person who wins your instruction may not be the person who manages your sale. Ask who your main point of contact will be, how they'll communicate with you, and how often you can expect updates. A good agent will proactively keep you informed — you shouldn't have to chase for news.

5. How will you market the property?

Rightmove and Zoopla are table stakes — ask what else they do. Do they have a database of registered buyers they'll contact directly? Do they use social media? Will they hold an open day? The best agents are proactive about finding buyers, not just reactive to enquiries.

Ask to see examples of how they've marketed similar properties — the photography, the write-up, the floor plan. Presentation matters enormously online, where buyers make snap judgements based on the first two photos.

6. What would you recommend doing before we go to market?

A good agent will give you honest, practical advice about presentation — decluttering, repainting, fixing obvious defects. Be wary of an agent who says everything is perfect and nothing needs doing. Every property has something that could be improved before it goes on the market.

Small trades jobs — a fresh coat of paint, a repaired fence, a tidy garden — can make a meaningful difference to first impressions and, ultimately, to the offers you receive. Getting these done before the photographer arrives is almost always worth it.

7. What's your average sale-to-completion time?

Getting an offer accepted is only the beginning. The conveyancing process can take anywhere from eight weeks to six months, and a good agent will actively manage the chain to keep things moving. Ask how they stay involved after the sale is agreed and what they do when a chain is at risk of collapsing.

This advice is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.