When you’re selling your home, it’s crucial to choose an estate agent which is experienced, helpful and honest and that you don’t automatically choose the agent that suggests the highest asking price. 

The agent providing the highest valuation won’t necessarily achieve the best price for your property and can often lead to price reductions.  Choosing the right agent can make all the difference, enabling you to sell your home quickly and for more money. 

Capture Buyer Attention 

A good agent will quote a realistic price based on their experience of buying and selling properties in their area, an analysis of local market data and their ability to negotiate.  Listings on property portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket will get the most exposure in search results within the first week, so it’s vital to set the right price from the outset to maximise interest and viewings.      

Be Realistic 

Some agents will quote a high initial asking price in order to win your business.  It’s nice to hear that your home is worth more than you thought, but the reality is that price is ultimately determined by offer and demand.  Quite often, what will happen is that your property won’t sell simply because the asking price was too high from the outset and, the longer it doesn’t sell, the more buyers assume there’s a problem with the property.  Agents will then urge you to start dropping the price and, in some instances,  the property sells for less than if it had been realistically priced in the first place.

Market Evidence 

There can be many reasons why a property is reduced in price and it is often something that estate agents don’t like to discuss when talking to new potential clients. At PPP we will always believe in offering complete transparency and honest information on the local market conditions. We share this knowledge to help people to progress with their plans and to make decisions based on facts and market evidence.

Fortunately, a number of national property portals allow agents to track not only sales agreed or new listings in specific areas, but also price reductions.

The latest independent data from Rightmove, the UK’s largest property portal, shows:

Price Reductions across all of Perthshire:

1st January – 31st December 2019

    Agent 1 – 178

    Agent 2 – 95

    Agent 3 – 58

    Agent 4 – 47

    Agent 5 – 43

    Premier Properties – 55                 

"Perhaps rather alarmingly, the agent top for price reductions across Perthshire actioned 178 price changes in total. A significant difference from ourselves on 55 and even the agent in 2nd place on 95. Over July, August and September alone they actioned 62 price reductions. Whilst it’s interesting data to look at and consider, the info isn’t publicly available as such and we aren’t permitted to name any agents or solicitors firms, other than ourselves. We do believe this info would be very useful for clients and vendors to access freely so hopefully there may be a change on that policy with the property portals."
Katie Hall
Director
This is one chart we are happy to be lower down on. We feature high on the sales agreed for the year and this evidence shows that it’s not because we are having to reduce the price of properties to achieve this. For us, we believe this shows that we are continuing to be quite accurate with our pricing of properties and also that our marketing continues to be one of the most effective across Perthshire. What owners need to be wary of is being overpromised by an estate agent simply to get their business and inevitably down the line a price reduction, or sometimes multiple price reductions, will have to be actioned to help find a buyer. Another important point to make is that there is always an ongoing debate regarding the online agent approach versus a local estate agent approach and it’s interesting that the UK’s largest online agent features very high indeed on this price reduction table, despite being much lower down the sales agreed table for the year."
Gary Robertson
Head of Estate Agency
"Clearly we always want to achieve the best possible price for any client we work with but we will only give our advice based on our own experience in the local area and market evidence where possible. We will never value a property higher than we believe it’s worth just to secure business. Owners should choose an agent based on who they trust to deliver the best possible price and experience."
Alan Keddie
Director
"If a property is marketed correctly, priced correctly and the agents appointed are working flat out across all available methods then there is no need for a change in price to be considered or discussed in the majority of cases. When an agent gives an indication on the value of the property, owners should be prepared to ask how the agent arrived at that opinion and are well within their rights to do so."
Laura Green
Sales Negotiator
"Even with the best of intentions or down to a seller’s own timescale or situation, it may be worth considering lowering an asking price to help generate fresh interest in a property along with some other things that can assist and it should never be the first and only thing to try."
Cloe Wyllie
Estate Agency Assistant

Questions To Ask Your Agent

So, when deciding on an agent, you should be prepared to ask the following questions:

What our clients say about us

Testimonials
Douglas McQuat (March 2024) – “This was our first move in 34yrs so we were very nervous but everything went quickly and well leaving us to only worry about the actual physical move.  Premier made the necessary processes easy and understandable. They also dealt with us as people not just a client, this made us feel so much better.  It was great to know that we were in the hands of people who cared.” Douglas McQuat (March 2024) – “This was our first move in 34yrs so we were very nervous but everything went quickly and well leaving us to only worry about the actual physical move. Premier made the necessary processes easy and understandable. They also dealt with us as people not just a client, this made us feel so much better. It was great to know that we were in the hands of people who cared.”Estate Agency Client | 4 Bed Detached Villa | Lady Nairn Drive, Perth | Sold in 3 Days Over Home Report Value

"We put our property on the market with Premier just prior to lockdown but subsequently withdrew it. We were very happy with how Alan handled the situation at that time as well as the marketing. We originally went to them through the recommendation of a mortgage consultant.

We loved the Facebook countdown! The photography and virtual tour were first class. The photographer obviously took a great pride in her work and the results spoke for themselves.

You contacted people who had shown an interest in similar properties and we actually had 3 viewings booked before it was released. Bartek did wonderfully well in convincing the buyer what to offer.

The service was excellent in particular Bartek who showed potential buyers around and Alan who offered great advice on the deal.

This was our first move in 34yrs so we were very nervous but everything went quickly and well leaving us to only worry about the actual physical move.  Overall, we felt very pleased and relieved.

Would certainly recommend. Premier made the necessary processes easy and understandable. They also dealt with us as people not just a client, this made us feel so much better.

It was great to know that we were in the hands of people who cared."

 

Colin Morrison (March 2024) – “I cannot fault the Premier Properties Team, I would highly recommend.” Colin Morrison (March 2024) – “I cannot fault the Premier Properties Team, I would highly recommend.”Estate Agency Client | 3 Bed Flat | Friar Street, Perth, | Sold Over Asking Price

"From firstly meeting Katie at my property to the conclusion of the sale I cannot fault the Premier Properties Team.  Many thanks for all your help, I would highly recommend."

 

Pam O’Brien (March 2024) – “Great to deal with, nice people and on the ball.  Katie & Alan were great and understood our situation.  Can’t thank them enough for their advice and support.  Felt happy and looked after.  Would definitely recommend this company and would use them again.”Pam O’Brien (March 2024) – “Great to deal with, nice people and on the ball. Katie & Alan were great and understood our situation. Can’t thank them enough for their advice and support. Felt happy and looked after.  Would definitely recommend this company and would use them again.”Estate Agency Client | 4 Bed Detached Villa | Muirend Gardens Perth, | Sold in 9 Over Asking Price

"Great to deal with, nice people and on the ball. We had an ex-rental property to sell, and had to decide whether to 'love it' or 'list it' in it's current condition. Katie & Alan were great and understood our situation, we decided to try the property on the market and discussed a fair price for the 'list it' option.

All went well and the property sold quickly.  Can't thank them enough for their advice and support.  Felt happy and looked after.  Would definitely recommend this company and would use them again."

 

Nicola Taylor Beal (January 2024) – “Chose Premier because of Alan Keddie.  The house was sold quickly. Overall, the experience made us feel like selling a house wasn’t as tricky as we thought!” Nicola Taylor Beal (January 2024) – “Chose Premier because of Alan Keddie. The house was sold quickly. Overall, the experience made us feel like selling a house wasn’t as tricky as we thought!”Estate Agency Client | 3 Bed Detached Bungalow | Muirend Gardens Perth, | Sold in 4 Weeks At Asking Price

"We met 3 local estate agents and chose Premier because of Alan Keddie.  Very prompt turn around and felt involved in the process.  Excellent feedback from whoever we dealt with.  The house was sold quickly with no real issues.  Overall, the experience made us feel like selling a house wasn't as tricky as we thought!

Would recommend - great team."

 

Anne Morrison (January 2024) – “Very professional, efficient and friendly.  Felt we were in very good hands.” Anne Morrison (January 2024) – “Very professional, efficient and friendly. Felt we were in very good hands.”Estate Agency Client | 3 Bed Semi-Detached House | Brandywell Road, Abernethy, Perth | Sold in 6 Days Over Home Report Value

"Chose Premier Properties as very good reputation in the local area.  Excellent all round.  Very professional, efficient and friendly.   Everything went extremely smoothly.

Felt we were in very good hands.  Would definitely recommend for all of the aforementioned reasons."

 

Alison Shearing (January 2024) – “Very impressed by Alan and Katie. Their drive and enthusiasm stood out.  I felt supported and cared for.” Alison Shearing (January 2024) – “Very impressed by Alan and Katie. Their drive and enthusiasm stood out. I felt supported and cared for.”Estate Agency Client | Balhousie Street, Perth

"Very impressed by Alan and Katie. Their drive and enthusiasm stood out.  Excellent marketing and communication.  Efficient and knowledgeable when dealing with potential buyers and negotiating sale.  I felt supported and cared for.

Would recommend. The service provided was sympathetic and efficient. Premier Properties are easy to talk to.  I found it helpful talking to Alan because of his experience.  Paula and Eleze were both pleasant and very helpful."

 

Lynn Cameron (January 2024) – “Quick, efficient, friendly team.” Lynn Cameron (January 2024) – “Quick, efficient, friendly team.”Estate Agency Client | Munro Avenue, Perth | Sold 2-4 Weeks | Sold Over Asking Price

"Used your services before.  Good marketing.  Would recommend - quick, efficient, friendly team."

 

Muriel Guthrie (December 2023) – “The overall experience made me feel confident and cared for.  100% would recommend.  Easy to speak to everyone, felt important to them and reassurance was very welcome!” Muriel Guthrie (December 2023) – “The overall experience made me feel confident and cared for. 100% would recommend.  Easy to speak to everyone, felt important to them and reassurance was very welcome!”Estate Agency Client | Muirend Gardens, Perth & Dunning Street, Bridge of Earn | Sold 2-4 Weeks | Over Home Report

"PPP were recommended to me.

Customer service was fantastic from Katie's first visit to being kept updated by Eleze and Paula.  Fully trusted them and was kept well informed.

Had a few wobbles myself but the girls restored my faith in the process.  Alan also quelled my fears when selling my mum's house. It was a stressful time, but I felt very supported.

The overall experience made me feel confident and cared for.

100% would recommend.  Easy to speak to everyone, felt important to them and reassurance was very welcome!

I'll be popping in to say thank you personally."

 

Ashley Dunbar (October 2023) – “Thank you for making our buying process so easy!!” Ashley Dunbar (October 2023) – “Thank you for making our buying process so easy!!”Estate Agency & Lettings Client | Buyer & Tenant | Google Review - https://g.co/kgs/5qxU47

"Thank you for making our buying process so easy!! We were also lucky enough to be tenants through you guys and it was the same great service! Would highly recommend! Thank you again!"

 

Jennifer Stewart (October 2023) – “Kevin and team were great from start to finish when it came to renting from them.  I would highly recommend using Premier properties to either rent your property or rent from them.” Jennifer Stewart (October 2023) – “Kevin and team were great from start to finish when it came to renting from them. I would highly recommend using Premier properties to either rent your property or rent from them.”Lettings Client | Tenant | Google Review - https://g.co/kgs/5qxU47

"Kevin and team were great from start to finish when it came to renting from them. The process was simple and we were kept informed all the way. When we had a couple of issues with the house they were sorted straight away. They were very professional and efficient.  I would highly recommend using Premier properties to either rent your property or rent from them."

 

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