What are the key ingredients for choosing a search agent?
We are proud members of the Property Ombudsmen Scheme who issued a new code of practice last year which all its Residential Buying agents are required to adhere to. This new code has been designed to create a uniform set of standards for buying agents based in the UK, in order to protect the interests of consumers and to promote best practice in the industry. One of the main reasons for joining was because we felt strongly that this would give prospective clients confidence in us and our company as there are so many search agents out there to choose from – most whom are not members.
Of course, there are lots of other key ingredients buyers should look for when choosing a property finder, one of the most important being – and excuse me if this sounds a bit Simon Cowell – the ‘likeability factor’. Something I learned a long time ago as an agent fighting for instructions is that it is not always about the lowest fee or the highest price. It’s about the integrity and personality of that individual. This is a highly emotional and often stressful business therefore it’s important to feel not only confidence that the person you instruct completely understands your wants and needs, but also that you are going to enjoy working with them for what could be many months.
Alongside this of course has to be a vast local knowledge, experience in property sales and excellent relationships with all the key agents. Again, this comes down to the ‘likeability factor’. Agents have plenty of buyers and search agents they could choose to offer that hot property to, but as an ex agent myself I know for a fact that it was the ones I enjoyed dealing with, who were always professional and who didn’t waste my time that I picked up the phone to first.
Finally, having both moved back to Hampshire whilst juggling young children and jobs, we can totally relate to our clients and genuinely empathise with their situation which we feel is vital in our business!
For more information about the Property Ombudsmen Scheme, please click here