How to Spot a Good (and Bad) Estate Agent

Choosing an estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home. The wrong one can cost you months and thousands of pounds. The right one can make the whole thing feel almost easy. Here’s how to tell them apart.

The green flags

A good estate agent is proactive. They tell you what’s happening before you have to ask — feedback after viewings, updates on enquiries, honest assessments of why something isn’t moving. You shouldn’t have to chase them.

They price realistically. Some agents inflate their valuation to win your instruction, then quietly push you to reduce after a few weeks. A good agent gives you a number they can defend with evidence — comparable sales, local demand, the condition of your property.

They know the area properly. Not just the postcode, but the streets, the schools, the transport links, the quirks of the local market. That knowledge shapes how they present your property and who they target.

They communicate clearly and on your terms. Phone, email, WhatsApp — whatever works for you. And when they don’t know something, they say so rather than bluffing.

The red flags

They’re hard to reach after you’ve signed. Before you’re a client, calls get answered quickly. After you’ve signed and the hard work starts, suddenly it’s voicemail every time.

They push for a sole agency contract with a long tie-in. A standard sole agency period is 8–12 weeks. If they’re asking for 6 months upfront, ask why they need that long.

They can’t explain their marketing plan. Where will your property be listed? What photography are they using? Do they have an active buyer database? If they can’t answer these questions specifically, they don’t have a plan.

They’re vague about fees. “Around 1.5%” isn’t a fee. Get everything in writing — the percentage, whether it includes VAT, and what you owe if you pull out.

The valuation is suspiciously high. Flattery is a sales tactic. If one agent values your home £50,000 higher than three others, it’s worth asking what they know that everyone else doesn’t — and whether the answer is convincing.

Questions worth asking before you sign

How many properties have you sold in this area in the last three months? What’s your average time from listing to sale agreed? What happens if I’m not happy with the service? Can I speak to a recent seller you’ve worked with?

Good agents welcome these questions. Bad ones get defensive.

The Woosh difference

Woosh connects buyers and sellers directly, with vetted professionals available at every stage — so you’re never dependent on a single agent’s effort or availability. Everyone on the same platform, everyone on the same timeline.

Find out more at wooshproperty.com