If you want to sell or let a property in Bath, hiring a great real estate agent can significantly reduce the amount of time you must otherwise spend on advertising and paperwork. For example, Pritchards are some of the best estate agents in Bath, having worked in this city for several decades. You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Here are a few things you can do to test whether an agent is a right choice for you.

Look for Recommendations and Industry Credentials

Before you start shortlisting estate agents, you’ll need a list, to begin with. If you have any friends who are already in Bath, you can ask them for a few recommendations. Otherwise, the internet is also a good place to start or, if you’re in Bath yourself, you can ask around town. Write down a few names and check their reviews to make a first impression.

Then, reduce the list further by checking each agent’s industry credentials. To begin with, estate agents in the United Kingdom must be a member of The Property Ombudsman Scheme, which ensures that complaints against them can be filed and investigated accordingly. In addition, some agents may be part of certain trade bodies that promote a higher level of diligence and professionalism. The most prestigious trade bodies include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Guild of Property Professionals, and the National Association of Estate Agents.

Attend Other Property Viewings

The best way to test whether a real estate agent would market your property properly is to attend home viewings organized by the latter. Go as a potential buyer and pay attention to the way the agent relates to both the property and the other viewers.

Then, as yourself two questions. First, if the property you are viewing were yours, how would you feel about the agent’s description? In other words, do you feel that the presentation is advantageous or detrimental to the owner? Second, do you think that you would buy/let a property presented by this agent? Do they seem trustworthy from the buyer’s perspective? Factor these answers into your choice.

Ask the Right Questions

Once you have a shortlist of agents, it’s time to set up a proper meeting and ask several important questions. For starters, you’ll have to decide between a sole agency or multi-agency. If you choose a party for sole agency, then they have exclusive rights to sell/let your property for a certain period of time. With multi-agency, you can advertise your property through multiple agents, but the fee is usually higher in this case.

Next, you should evaluate the estate agent’s experience, preferably with properties that are similar to yours and that are found in its vicinity. Finally, don’t forget to inquire about the ways in which your property will be advertised either in the local papers, online, or both. Feel free to ask for examples to get a better idea of whether your property will reach the right audience. At the end of the day, you should have enough information to make an optimal decision.