The lowest headline fee does not tell you the complete cost or quality of an estate agency service. A useful assessment starts with written proposals covering the same property and the same work. Keep the proposed fee, the marketing plan and the contract terms together when making your decision.
Ask for the full amount
If an agent quotes a percentage, ask for a worked example using the same illustrative sale price for every proposal. If the fee is fixed, check the scope of work it covers. Ask whether VAT is included and identify any minimum charge. Do not assume that two similarly worded offers include identical services.
Separate included and optional work
Photography, floor plans, video, portal advertising and accompanied viewings may be packaged differently. Ask the agent to list what is included and what costs extra. For example, a lower agency fee may sit alongside a separate upfront marketing payment. Neither arrangement is automatically better; the point is to review the complete proposal.
Understand when payment is due
Have the agent explain which payments are due at instruction, during marketing or when the sale completes. Ask what happens if you withdraw, change agents or the property does not sell. Read the proposed agreement and get advice on anything unclear before signing. An attractive verbal promise is less useful than a clear written term.
Review the people as well as the price
Find out who will take enquiries, conduct viewings and negotiate offers. Ask how cover works when your main contact is away. A good assessment includes the update schedule and the practical availability of the team, rather than simply counting marketing features.
Keep a one-page assessment
Create a row for each agent and columns for the quoted fee, additional costs, included work, payment timing and unanswered questions. Use the same assumptions throughout. If one proposal is unclear, ask for clarification instead of filling the gap with an estimate. The objective is to understand what you are buying before deciding whether it represents value for your sale.
Put it into practice — find your agent