Estate Agents Near Me: How Do I Choose a Good One?

• by Corbin Fairweather
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Losing out on a great sale price because you picked the wrong estate agent? Yeah, it happens—more than you think. When moving house, your choice of agent can make or break your bank balance (and your sanity). There are over 20,000 estate agency branches in the UK alone, but not all of them give a toss about your outcome. Some just want a quick commission. Others go above and beyond. Telling the difference is your first big win.

If you want your property to sell quickly and for a fair price, you need someone who knows your area well, communicates clearly, has the right marketing tools, and—most importantly—actually cares about your result. Sounds obvious, but when you’re knee-deep in property listings and flashy adverts, sorting the gems from the duds gets tricky. A shiny window display means nothing if the agent ghosts you once you’ve signed up.

• Why your estate agent choice matters
• Key things to look for in a good agent
• How to compare local agencies
• Questions to ask before picking
• Warning signs and mistakes to avoid

Why your estate agent choice matters

A good estate agent isn't just someone who lists your house online and waits for the phone to ring. The right person can put thousands more in your pocket, slash your sale time, and save you from endless headaches. But a dodgy or lazy agent? They'll just waste your time—and money.

The numbers tell a real story. In the UK, properties handled by experienced agents tend to sell for about 5-10% more than similar homes marketed by less competent ones. That's a big chunk of cash, especially when the current average UK house price floats around £280,000.

Picking a strong estate agent means more foot traffic at viewings, sharper negotiating, and those sneaky legal steps don't trip you up. Your agent acts as your filter against time-wasters—no one wants dozens of dead-end viewings just so the agent can show their stats to the boss.

Then there’s stress. Moving house already has a reputation for being almost as stressful as a divorce (not even joking—multiple polls put it neck and neck). An agent who quietly goes missing just piles on the frustration. On the flip side, a focused, hard-working agent sorts problems fast, answers questions before you even ask, and makes sure you’re not lost in jargon. That peace of mind matters if you’re juggling jobs, kids, and the rest of real life.

If you’ve got your life savings or your kid’s future tied up in your property, you want every professional advantage you can get. That starts with picking a decent agent who gets results—not just one who looks good on a high street corner.

Key things to look for in a good agent

The first thing you want is local knowledge. Forget national chains with no clue about your neighbourhood—the best estate agents know the schools, the shortcuts, and even which way the garden faces will matter to buyers. Ask them how many homes like yours they've sold in the last year. If they start talking about sales from 2019, that's a red flag.

Track record matters, but don't just take their word for it. Check out their Google reviews and look for comments about honesty and responsiveness. Agents can have slick websites, but if real people complain about poor communication, that's worth listening to. The average UK house sale takes about 18 weeks, so you need someone who picks up the phone regularly, not a Houdini.

Transparency on fees is a big deal. Agents usually ask for 1% to 2.5% commission plus VAT. Watch out for hidden extras like premium listings or withdrawal charges. A good agent will explain everything upfront and put it in writing. If the contract handover feels rushed, slow them down and ask for explanations.

Marketing skills aren't just about putting your house on Rightmove. Ask them what kind of photos they take, if they offer video tours (buyers expect this now), and how they handle social media. Homes with professional photographs sell up to 32% faster, so this stuff matters.

Finally, the vibe counts. You have to trust this person with your biggest asset, so do a gut check. Are they pushy? Do they talk over you? If you feel like you're just another number, keep looking. A good estate agent should feel like your teammate, not a salesperson on autopilot.

How to compare local agencies

Before trusting anyone with your biggest asset, it makes sense to put different agencies side by side. Here’s how you can do that without getting lost in flashy promises and nice suits.

First, grab a shortlist of 3-5 local agencies based on word-of-mouth, "For Sale" signs in your area, and online reviews. The ones that actually move homes near you—not just talk a big game. According to Rightmove, properties marketed by experienced local agencies sell up to 20% faster than those listed with out-of-area agents, so local really does matter.

• Estate agents near me are usually aware of what buyers want in your post code, and have buyers lined up already.
• Check their recent sales on their websites and on portals like Zoopla and Rightmove. How long are houses staying on the market? Are sold prices close to asking prices?
• Read their Google and Trustpilot reviews, but look beyond the five-star ratings—do clients mention real problems or shout out great customer service by name?
• Pop in for a chat. Are staff friendly and honest, or do they feel like they're reading from a script?

Fees catch people out. Some agents charge 0.75%, others 1.5% or more of the sale price, not to mention possible added costs for "premium listings" or pro photos. Don’t just look at the lowest fee—see what’s actually included. Here's a simple table to help spot differences:

Also, check if they’re members of a redress scheme like The Property Ombudsman or Propertymark. This means you’ve got somewhere to complain if things go sideways. And find out if you’ll have a dedicated agent or end up lost in a call centre queue.

Above all, trust your gut. If you feel they’re just after a quick buck, or they can’t explain what makes them worth the fee, keep looking. This isn’t about picking whoever’s got the biggest advert—it’s about finding someone who’ll take care of your move like it’s their own.

Questions to ask before picking

Once you’ve got your shortlist of estate agents, it’s time to grill them a bit. Forget small talk—these are the questions that really sort the pros from the pushy salespeople. You want straightforward answers so you can compare your options without the stress.

• How many homes like mine have you sold in this area lately? You want proof that they really know your patch. If they only sell million-pound flats and you’re in a three-bed terrace, that’s a red flag.
• What’s your standard contract length and are there tie-in periods? Some agents lock you in for 16 or even 20 weeks. If you’re unhappy with how things are going, that's a long time to wait.
• What’s your exact fee and what does it include? Ask if there are any extra charges for photos, brochures, or online listings. Most high street agents in the UK charge between 1% and 1.5% including VAT, but always check.
• How will you market my property? Double-check that your home will go on all the main portals—Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket. Ask what makes their marketing different. Good agents have a plan, not just a list.
• Who will actually be handling my sale? Sometimes, you meet the friendly manager and then get handed over to someone else. Make sure you know who your main contact is, and how often they’ll update you.
• Can I see evidence of recent customer reviews? Honest feedback from people in your area is gold. Look at their Google ratings or Trustpilot, and don’t be shy about asking for references.
• How do you handle viewings and offers? Some agents hold 'open day' events; others work one-on-one. Check if they’ll handle viewings themselves or leave you to do the legwork.

Asking these questions takes a bit of effort, but it’s your wallet (and your nerves) on the line. You’re looking for someone who’s clear, honest, and knows their stuff—not just the loudest voice or the first to ring your doorbell. A estate agent who gives you good, specific answers will usually do the same when selling your home.

Warning signs and mistakes to avoid

If you think all estate agents are basically the same, think again. Picking the wrong one means more stress, lower offers, and wasted months. Here’s what should set your alarm bells ringing—and the mistakes people fall for all the time.

The biggest trap? Signing up with an agent just because they suggest the highest asking price. Overpricing sounds great but actually scares off buyers, making your home go stale on the market. Research by Rightmove in 2023 showed that homes priced too high from day one took on average 8 weeks longer to sell and sold for 5% less than those listed at a realistic price.

• Estate agents who refuse to put their fees in writing. If it isn't clear, expect hidden charges later.
• High-pressure sales tactics—like saying "We have buyers lined up, but only if you sign today." Trust your gut here.
• Lack of local knowledge. If they can't name the last three properties sold on your street, they’re not a local expert.
• Terrible communication. If they don’t return your call before you’re even signed up, it won’t get any better once you are.
• Insisting on super-long contracts (more than 12 weeks). You want flexibility if things don’t go to plan.
• Zero client reviews or loads of one-star ratings online. Real people leave real feedback—check Google and Trustpilot.

According to a YouGov survey in 2024, 36% of sellers said the worst thing about their last agent was lack of updates or response after signing. Don’t join that group. Before you agree to anything, learn how their process works day-to-day.

And here’s a quick checklist to sidestep classic mistakes:

• Check and compare at least three agents, not just the first one available.
• Always read the small print on exclusive contracts and cancellation clauses.
• Don’t just rely on glossy brochures—test their knowledge and ask them about recent, real sales in your area.
• Ask how they plan to market your property beyond just sticking it on Rightmove.
• Carefully check online reviews—recent feedback is gold.

Keep your wits about you. A good agent can make the whole thing smoother and less stressful, but a bad one? That’s when you’ll wish you’d asked a few more awkward questions up front.