Why choosing a local independent estate agent could be the best option for you when you sell your home

Choosing your estate agent, ahead of taking on one of the most stressful processes you can go through, is a momentous decision. It may seem obvious to go for the biggest company, but this article explains why smaller, local independent estate agents are the best and will be so much better for you and your move.

Why choosing a local independent estate agent could be the best option for you when you sell your home

You've already decided to sell, so you now need to choose which agent you should have in your corner to help guide you through this process. Your home is likely the most significant investment you've ever made and the most valuable asset you have. Selling a property is a huge undertaking, one that most of us only tackle a handful of times in our lives. Estate agents are the professionals in this process who help you navigate it. But, if you choose the wrong agent to help you move into your dream home, you could have a nightmare.

Branding and advertising can play a huge role in which agent a seller chooses; often, the largest national agents will be selected because, well, bigger is better, right? Nationwide coverage, maybe even TV advertising or sports team sponsorship, ensures that some of the largest estate agency chains in the UK are known by many.

Large estate agency chains may seem the best option for selling your property because they can promote your property throughout their brand, which covers the whole country. Surely, that will mean more buyers will see your property, leading to more viewings and offers, right? Sadly, this is not always the case.

Corporate estate agencies have many branches, often with one in every major town in the country, but they are not a team. They don't work together to sell properties; and they can't show your property to buyers in other parts of the country any more than a quick search on the internet can. Sure, if someone walks into the office in Suffolk and wants to look at the properties available in Aberdeen, the agency could show them. However, that customer would likely have found that information out online from the comfort of their own home. The onus would be on the customer to ask for the information; the agent will not be actively trying to market homes across the country from every branch.

Due to the corporate hierarchy and job roles within these companies, there is likely a Branch Manager, a Property Valuer and Sales Negotiators. Perhaps even Regional and Area Managers, too. This structure means that after the Property Valuer has come to your home and provided you with a valuation of your property, you might never see or speak to them again. The person you've bought into has presented their USPs and opinions of how well your home could be sold. They won't be in the office actually selling the property. You build a rapport with this agent, only to call the office and have to get to know someone new. That Property Valuer will be out of the office, valuing other properties. It isn't their job to sell the homes but to get them onto the market.

So, how does this differ from an independent estate agency business?

  • The hierarchy within an independent estate agent's office is not as structured. Often, the Property Valuer can be the owner of the business, meaning that they have a vested interest in your home selling, not just getting onto the market for sale.
  • An independent estate agency office is often not structured in a way that team bonuses and commission structures are paid for different parts of the process. The businesses wouldn't survive if they were only concerned with listing properties on the market.
  • If we're honest with ourselves, anyone can tell you whatever price you want for your home and convince you to put your home on the market. If this is how the valuer earns their commission, it isn't too hard to assume that they might be slightly more optimistic. They are far less concerned with whether your home will sell than an agent who only earns a fee when a house is sold.
  • Because there is less of a structured hierarchy, you will likely have contact with all team members, as they will work more cohesively together to sell homes. So, if you choose an independent estate agency, you will more than likely be able to speak to the CEO, the founder of the company, not just someone in a middle-management position. The valuer will be concerned with selling your home, not just advertising it, and the relationship that you will develop will be with the team as a whole, not just the staff that look after the various roles within the office as you pass through the journey of selling your home.

Selling a property is a complicated process that can be filled with anxiety, which is why the personal touch is essential. Working with an independent estate agency will mean that you have a whole team working together to help you move on.

To find out how working with an independent estate agency can help you to sell your home and ultimately achieve more money in the sale and have a much more rewarding experience as you do sell, get in touch with our team of property experts, who are happy to help you through this journey.

Get in touch with us

First Name*
Last Name*
Your Email Address*
Mobile Phone*
Are you looking to*
Please enter message here*
Please confirm that it is okay for us to contact you about this information as well as products and services. (You will always be given the right to unsubscribe at any point in the future)*

Register for Property Alerts

Ever missed out on the perfect property just because you heard about it too late, or the Estate Agent never told you about it as it was slightly outside of your criteria? Never miss out again by using our “Heads Up Property Alerts”.

Meet Our Founding Director James

Meet Our Founding Director James

James Allen is the founding director and owner of Allen Residential. James started in estate agency back in 1997 and after working for a couple of strong independent estate agencies he established Allen Residential in 2005 Keen to invest back into his team, James is dedicated to ensuring that each team member at Allen Residential is a key part of the business, emphasizing the importance of their contributions. His leadership style highlights the significance of a cohesive and dedicated team, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment. The business has flourished in recent years, thanks to the staff's commitment to excellence and the implementation of effective systems. James' appreciation for his team’s hard work and dedication is evident, making Allen Residential a thriving and dynamic company.

Why choose Allen Residential?

Why choose Allen Residential?

With an owner who has 35 number of years experience in the industry and 20 years of company history, we bring knowledge, reliability, and expertise to every property transaction.

Our approach is casual and professional, aiming to form personal connections with the people we work with instead of treating them as a number.

About Us