12
Aug
TOP OF THE CLASS
Everyone knows that selling houses is like shelling peas. Right?
Estate agents have it easy. They just put up a board – that
advertises themselves - and the property is as good as gone at its
ambitious asking price. And estate agents charge a fortune.
Right?
Wrong!
What about selling property at a time when not so many are
interested in buying? When buyers are strapped for cash; when the
lenders aren’t lending much; when the country is in the grip
of a harsh austerity period and at a time of growing unemployment
and public sector uncertainty. What about selling property when an
owner may be demanding more than the market will stand? What about
selling property when people have more pressing things to think
about? And how about selling a property for someone whose personal
circumstances – joyous, sad or desperate – crucially
depend on an estate agent’s efforts, despite all the negative
market conditions.
Then selling property is not quite so easy as many might
suggest.
But, cometh the moment, cometh the estate agent. Of course, when
the market is in spate it is easier to sell property. But now, in
many areas, there is a drought and matters are more serious.
Selling property in this market needs an estate agent with
experience, with heart and foresight and skill and purpose. One
with a steady hand who understands that moving home is often played
out over two legs. There’s the home leg, selling, and the
away leg, buying. This is a time to play the long game and to see
and understand the bigger picture - and to be able to communicate
this to anxious clients. There comes a time when selling property
has to be put into the hands of someone who is seriously good at
what they do. This is not the time to seek out the cheapest option
and feel good about it. This is the time for hiring the top of the
class.
If you want the cheapest agent or the one who – even against
your own optimistic judgement – has valued way higher than
every one else, do go ahead if that makes you feel good. But what
will really make you feel good is selling your property and moving
on. And for that, right now, you need a professional.
Red Adair, the famous oil well fire fighter, said it perfectly, "If
you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait
until you hire an amateur!"