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How To Choose An Estate Agent
June, 2024

How To Choose An Estate Agent

When it comes to selling your property in Purley, Croydon & Surrey, 'how to choose an estate agent' is a critical question that can significantly impact a successful and stress-free sale.

The team at Shinerocks want you to be fully informed before you make your decision. So, understanding the benefits of working with a local property expert in Purley, Croydon & Surrey is crucial.

We will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you choose the perfect partner to market your property. We always aim to empower you, the seller, with the knowledge and confidence to make the best decision.

The Benefits of Working With an Estate Agent in Purley – Leveraging Local Expertise

Shinerocks was founded in 1995 by Paul and Jo Shinerock, who have turned home sales into an art, because of their expertise in home staging, marketing and negotiation.

Opting for a local estate agent has several advantages that can enhance your selling experience. For example, a local agent knows your neighbourhood intimately, including property values, market dynamics, and buyer preferences. ShineRocks has rarely reduced an asking price in more than a year and we have a track record of selling houses for higher than the asking price - this is because we give accurate and realistic valuations.

Our expertise allows us to provide accurate advice on pricing, positioning, and preparing your property for sale. So, by tapping into our local knowledge, you can set realistic expectations.

The Power of a Local Network – Connecting with Buyers and Professionals

One of the key strengths of using an estate agent in Purley, Croydon & Surrey like Shinerocks is our extensive network of potential buyers.

Leveraging this network can significantly speed up the sale process. We can quickly connect with qualified buyers actively searching for properties in Croydon, Purley & Surrey.

Additionally, our connections with other professionals within the local property market allow for collaboration and access to resources that can enhance the visibility and marketability of your property. As a Member of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents, you benefit from a national network of more than 800 offices working together. Your property will be included in the National Property Centre showroom in Park Lane, Mayfair, where touch screen technology allows people to browse properties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Key Factors: How do I choose an estate agent in Purley, Croydon & Surrey

To select the right estate agent to market your home, it's crucial to evaluate certain factors that can impact your experience and outcomes. Consider the following carefully:

Track Record and Experience

Examine the estate agent’s track record and experience in your local area. Look for a proven history of successful sales and a strong understanding of local market trends.

Additionally, look at references and testimonials from previous clients to gain insights into their professionalism and effectiveness.

You can view some of our testimonials here

Marketing Strategies and Innovations

Enquire about the agent’s marketing strategies and techniques. A competent estate agent should have a marketing plan that utilises traditional and modern methods together. This should include digital marketing like social media, blog content, video tours and a presence on property portals, alongside leaflet campaigns, community based promotions and newspaper advertising.

They should demonstrate an ability to adapt to the ever-evolving estate agency landscape by using technology and innovative approaches to maximise exposure for your property.

Shinerocks carry out all the necessary marketing activities, making sure you are featured in top property portal websites such as Rightmove, On The Market & NetHousePrices. This is in addition to national coverage. We will also advertise your property in local publications, including Surrey Life, The Purley Pages, Kenley & Purley Link and Sanderstead Link, and within our own magazine. 

With bespoke colour brochures, professionally enhanced photography and free advice on home staging and dressing your property, we know what's needed to find a buyer and help them complete the purchase.

Communication and Support

Clear and frequent communication is paramount throughout the selling process, so assess the agent’s availability and responsiveness to enquiries.

A good estate agent will listen, be attentive, offer guidance on negotiations, provide regular sales progression updates, and address any concerns or questions you may have throughout the process.

Our attentive and honest approach is what sets us apart. We will call you with feedback from every viewing and keep you informed about how the marketing of your property is progressing, right up to agreeing a sale and the hand-over of keys at completion. 

Negotiation Skills

Effective negotiation is crucial to achieving the best possible sale price for your home, so seek out an agent with strong negotiation skills. They should demonstrate the confidence and expertise needed to navigate potential obstacles and secure favourable terms for the sale of your property. ShineRocks has a track record of selling houses for higher than the asking price due to our ability to look at every aspect of your home and work to maximise its potential.

Fees and Contract Terms

Carefully review and compare the fees and contract terms offered by different estate agents. While fees are an important consideration, you should also focus on the services provided, marketing strategies employed, and the agent’s commitment to delivering results. The cheapest is not necessarily the best! We are more than happy to discuss our fees at a time that suits you. 

Speak with ShineRocks today for a pressure-free discussion into how we can sell your home

Knowing the answer to 'how to choose an estate agent' is integral to ensuring a successful property sale. Importantly, by working with a local estate agent like Shinerocks, you will gain access to their in-depth local area and market knowledge, and therefore their extensive network of qualified contacts looking to purchase a new home.

Ready to Sell Your Property in Purley, Croydon & Surrey?

Generate a full report on your own property including an instant estimated valuation

If you're a homeowner thinking of putting your property in Purley, Croydon & Surrey on the market, get in touch with the friendly team at Shinerocks. We would love to hear from you and give you some guidance. Contact us at enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk or call on 020 8660 2010.

In the meantime, we've answered some of your most common questions about how to choose an estate agent:

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding the Best Estate Agents in Purley

Do online estate agents work just as well as local ones?

Online agents might offer a lower fee, but they lack the local expertise of a local estate agent when it comes to selling property in the local area. Local agents have a network of buyers and a deep understanding of the market, often leading to a quicker sale and potentially a better price than an online estate agent can offer.

How many estate agents should I contact when selling my house?

There's no magic number, but 2 to 3 is a good starting point, rather than talking to just one estate agent. Getting a range of perspectives from local estate agents will help you compare fees, marketing strategies, and find the best estate agent for selling your property.

What's more important: choosing the cheapest estate agent or getting the best price for my house?

We will always use our local knowledge and connections to achieve the best-asking price for your property. Consider estate agent fees as an investment in getting the best outcome.

What questions should I ask when chatting to estate agents?

Ask about their experience selling similar properties in your area, their marketing plan (including online and offline strategies), their communication style, and their fee structure. Don't be afraid to ask us more about how we plan to achieve the best possible price for your home!

 

Have any questions?

Use the form to send us your questions and we'll respond as quickly as possible.

You can also call us on 020 8660 2010, or email enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk.


 

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Purley, Croydon & Surrey

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Recent Testimonials

Dear Paul and the ShineRocks team, Thank you! We are delighted that we successfully completed on the sale of The Garth, 12 Welcomes Road on Friday, and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, Claire and the team for all your excellent work on our behalf. We really appreciated your proactivity, frankness, responsiveness and good...

Mr & Mrs F

Very professional, responsive and delivered on promises to the tee

Mr G

Worked hard to find possible buyers. Very professional and friendly staff. Drove the completion by liaising with all parties when things threatened to go pear-shaped. Very satisfied customer

Mrs H-W

Having tried a couple estate agents to sell our house, with no result, we tried ShineRocks. Paul Shinerock was realistic in his valuation, which others had not been and we had a number of viewings. A Christmas present was accepting a very good offer. Unfortunately, the buyer dragged his heels and then at the point of exchange decided to...

Mr P

A great service offered by both Paul and Claire. Sometimes the best thing an agent can do is to convince you to accept an offer and to encourage you to pay more to get the house of your dreams. Had Paul not convinced me to accept the offer on mine I would not have moved. Claire moved heaven and earth to enable me to purchase a property through...

Mr & Mrs W

Very helpful, pleasure to work with, and they offer a great service

Mr L

My house purchase was very complicated, ShineRocks handled it very professionally

Mr H

Claire was our estate agent and she was incredibly professional, always available and kept us completely up to date. A pleasure to buy and sell with

Mrs P

Exceptionally professional and helpful and very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend ShineRocks

Mr P

Excellent service over a period of several months. Always at hand to offer advice and their expertise. Highly Recommend Shinerocks and thank you for all your help

Mr A

I was very pleased with the service - professional yet caring

Mrs L

Very professional and excellent service in a complicated situation which resulted in a positive result. We have purchased 2 homes from Paul in the last 14 years. Claire is remarkable and kept us fully up to speed

Mr P

Very friendly. After a slow start we got on very well and achieved our objective. Particular thanks to Claire

Dr L

Hi Caire, Can you say a massive 'thank you' to Paul for coming to see me. He really gave me some things to think about that had just not crossed my mind. Swapping the bathroom and middle bedroom and adding a bathroom to the main bed room made so much sense, I've got Alan coming over on Saturday to cost it up! I'll definitely...

D

We have recently purchased a property through shinerocks and can honestly say the service we received from Claire was exceptional. She kept us updated regularly and liaised tirelessly between solicitors, vendors and the other agents in what became a difficult and frustrating chain. She was both professional and personable, and we always felt...

M & C

Claire, You're an absolute star! Thank you so much.

Mr and Mrs W

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance and facilitation of the purchase of our property, and I would relish the opportunity to work with you again in future endeavours.

CT

Just want to say a big thank you for all your help and support.  I know you were not our estate agent but we really felt supported and coached through the whole process and I can't thank you enough. 

M, J &A

Paul, Claire and all the team at ShineRocks have always acted with the utmost professionalism and in my experience have been the best estate agency I have ever encountered.  

Mr D

Dear Claire, Thank you so much for making our dream home come true.  Invitation to the house warming is guaranteed! Much Love

R & N

Hi the ShineRocks Team Would like to say thank you for a great service in completing on our house.  We are totally blessed, we feel so lucky.  Your team with friendly voices were very proactive in updating us.  Paul you have a good team around and to say the least, you have some charm. You are a very nice bunch of people to...

L M

We would like to also comment upon the superb level of professionalism shown by the staff at ShineRocks. Having been to other block bookings we must say that this one was handled to so well. Additionally the advice given regarding parking was most helpful. We will certainly keep an eye out for other properties marketed by you. Kindest...

Mr and Mrs H

Dear Paul How very happy I am to be the lucky chap that has been given the privilege to buy and live in the elegant property. Thank you again for the excellent service provided by ShineRocks. Yours sincerely 

Mr R

Thanks for all your attention - I am impressed with your service and will recommend you to friends. Kind regards 

Mrs A

Dear Paul This is amazing! Thank you and your team very much. Whatever happens now, I know that you all did a fantastic job in achieving this - its unbelievable. Many thanks Kindest regards 

Mrs D

Terrific news. Thank you Paul. With all thanks for your support and help during this process. All best wishes 

Mr H

Thank you so much for all your help with our house move. We appreciate the hard work you put in to finally get us to an exchange date. Your calm approach and sense of humour throughout really helped. Thanks again, 

Mr and Mrs G

Thank you so much for all your work on selling our home. It is much appreciated. Best wishes 

Mr and Mrs R

Thanks again for everything that you have done to get our new home. God bless you. 

Mr and Mrs P

Dear Claire and the 'team' at ShineRocks for all of your help and patience with our purchase.  Best wishes

K and L

Dear Mr Shinerock, thank you so very much for valued advice last Saturday; your remarks and suggestions have certainly got us thinking of the best way to turn! Best wishes

V and K

Dear Paul We are at last beginning to see some order in our new home and have time to catch breath. The move was challenging to say the least as we were downsizing dramatically and had too much to fit in prior to having an extension to create two more rooms and allow us to convert an existing one into a utility room. We would like to take...

G and S S

Good morning Claire, I have been meaning to e mail you since Monday just to say thank you! Mum and I are extremely grateful for all the time you have given us and we really do value your advice and guidance.  We have been in contact with a lot of agents, in fact probably all of the main estate agents around the area and ShineRocks...

S and M

Dear Paul, Well, we got there in the end! Although it was long, complicated and at times, a very stressful journey, we appreciate the help of you and all your team in finally getting us over the finishing line. Best regards

B

Thank you for everything you've done. I couldn't have got through this without you. Putting up with every difficult situation in such a kind way. Thank you so much. 

Mrs P

Paul, Claire and all the team at ShineRocks have always acted with the utmost professionalism and in my experience have been the best estate agency I have ever encountered.

Mr H