| Why use Lynch & Company? | |
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We believe that clients always have a choice. We therefore desire to be pioneers when it comes to customer care and attention. The public should always have the assurance that they are dealing with agents of integrity and honesty. In all dealings with Lynch & Company you can have peace of mind as we are members of the National Association of Estate Agents as well as the Ombudsman Scheme. We have joined these associations as we are prepared to hold to their rules and conduct in providing the very best for our clients. Despite
a levelling in the rate of property inflation, the indications are that
the “boom” of recent years is unlikely to be followed by a major
“bust”, and the Woking market continues to reflect strong demand
from buyers. Whilst
it is comforting for homeowners to sit back and ponder the increase in
their equity, about 15% of the population are likely to consider moving
this year. There
are numerous reasons why we British move so often. Our social make-up is
a strongly motivating factor as we aspire to improve the trappings of
our circumstances and lifestyle, with location being one of the keys. School
league tables play an increasingly important role as parents identify
the catchment areas in which they prefer to live. Marriage, divorce,
expanding and shrinking families also play their enduring part in the
rich pattern of property sales in the Woking area. One man’s ceiling
is another man’s floor; as one person is happy to move out, so another
is equally happy to move in. Moving
up, moving down, or moving sideways, for many a move will mean a time of
excitement, progress and evolution. For others it will be a time of
stress, disappointment or frustration. For most, there will be a degree
of apprehension stemming either from a fear of the unknown, or from an
anxiety borne out of an unpleasant previous experience. As
estate agents, our task is to sell our client's property. Indeed, that
is our client's primary objective. But I see our role as far more than
this. If we are to sustain and develop our reputation in our community,
we must be regarded as people who have been instrumental in ensuring
that the house moving experience is as pleasant as possible for buyer
and seller alike. This means doing what we can to reduce the burden and
stress of moving wherever we can. Have a look at our excellent customer feedback comments to be sure you are dealing with the best estate agents in Woking. If
you are considering a move, the following guidelines might be of
interest: Timing There
are all sorts of reasons why people put off selling their property in
the belief that there could be a better time to do it; it’s too cold,
it’s too wet, the house is not looking its best, etc.
At this time of the year many people say they will wait until the
spring, as that is supposedly the best time to sell. Whilst
properties certainly look more appealing in the spring, many properties
come onto the market at that time thereby increasing supply, meaning
buyers have more choice and are in a stronger bargaining position. If
you sell your property ahead of the spring market, you will be able to
take advantage of this increase in supply yourself as you seek a new
home. You will be in a strong position as a purchaser, with a selection
of properties from which to choose in a market of buyers who have
otherwise yet to sell. Choosing the right estate agent Then
comes one of the most important decisions of the house moving process
– which estate agent do you choose to sell your property? There are
about 30 estate agencies in the Woking area and looking at the property
pages of the local newspaper, on the surface, there is very little
between them. Few of them give any indication in their advertisements of
their modus operandi, or what service you can expect to receive as a
seller. Many
prospective sellers, unaware of the differences between agencies,
therefore have no alternative than to decide whom to appoint on the
level of commission charged. This is a bit like buying a car purely on
price considerations. All cars go from A to B, but the vast price
differential is related to issues of quality, efficiency, and the whole
driving experience. Sellers
therefore need to consider the overall selling experience and ask other
questions apart from simply “can this agent sell my house?” The next
question is usually “will this agent sell it at an attractive price
and within in a reasonable timescale?” With no clearly defined view of
whom to appoint, most people ask several agents to value their property
and are naturally tempted to appoint the agent who quotes the highest
figure. Beware! Some agents deliberately over-value properties in order
to impress you, secure your business, and subsequently put pressure on
you to reduce your price when the property fails to sell. Valuation The
issue of correct valuation is paramount. If a property enters the market
at too high a price, it is likely to take longer to sell and will
possibly go stale on the market, resulting in a sale at a price below
the figure you might have received had the property been correctly
valued initially. Lots of stress and less in your pocket!
Bear
in mind that buyers buy by comparison. If your property is too
expensive, it will be compared with “better” homes being offered at
the same figure. It will also be compared with properties offering
similar accommodation to yours for a lower price. Either way, your house
is unlikely to sell for as long as these better-value alternatives
exist. On
the other hand, there are agents who will deliberately undervalue your
home in order to secure a fast commission. Whilst you are likely to
achieve a quick sale, you may well be considerably worse off than if you
had appointed an agent with a responsible attitude to valuation. So
take a realistic view on value. Rule of thumb would be to pick the
middle value, but this does not mean you have to appoint the agent that
gave you that value. Rather choose the agent who provides the best
service and support for your move. Are their particulars well written?
How effective is their advertising and how do they use technology to
your advantage? Would you enjoy dealing with them? The internet The
internet is a valuable tool for the modern estate agent, but don’t be
impressed by any “hit” claims. All web-enabled agents are exposed to
many buyers, but how well do they qualify those buyers when it comes to
discussing your home. It is very easy for a “buyer” to register a
passing interest, but it takes a good agent to identify those buyers who
have a serious and pressing need to move. Viewings Does
the agent accompany all viewings? Some agents claim that if a buyer is
going to buy, then they will buy irrespective of whether the vendor or
the agent shows them round. Whilst there may be a grain of truth in
this, an important point is missed. By accompanying buyers around
properties, the agent develops a much better picture of the preferences
in addition to those few key ones that were registered. Only when agents
accompany buyers on viewings can they probe, listen and understand what
really turns a buyer on. Some
estate agencies, especially some of the larger ones, employ
“valuers” who list property but never deal with buyers, and
“negotiators” who deal with buyers but never list homes. I believe
this approach is fundamentally flawed in terms of offering a real
service to buyer and seller alike. It may be that you as a buyer have
had the frustrating experience of trying to discuss a property with an
agent who has never seen the property and who has no idea of the
vendor’s timing requirements! Communication Communication
is also an issue. Too many agencies only communicate good news! That’s
easy! Good agents are in regular contact with their clients and can
advise the vendor of what each buyer’s response was following each
viewing. They also have the guts to advise you when improvements should
be made, carpets cleaned, odours removed, etc. in order to improve your
chances of selling. |