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`Sold` Doesn`t Mean Your Estate Agent`s Work is Done!

Date Published 15 April 2024

When your 'For Sale' sign is changed to the one that says 'Sold' you can really start thinking about the future and make solid plans for moving... or at least that's what should happen!

When you accept an offer on your home it means that your estate agent has done a good job in finding the right buyer and negotiated a sale price that you're happy with. Sadly too many estate agents think their work is now finished and that they can sit back and bill you on completion.

At Matthew Anthony we know that is totally wrong - and here's why...

Fall through

It's a sad fact that a large number of 'sales agreed' actually don't make it to moving day. Estimates vary, but it's fair to say that as many as 25% to 35% of sales in some areas can fall through.

There are many different reasons for this happening and sometimes it is unavoidable. Unfortunate changes of circumstances do happen and people can have very genuine reasons for having to pull out.

Let's face it, other people are unpredictable and sometimes that leads to a seller having to face going back on the market to try and sell again.

There's far more than disappointment that can be involved as the property you wanted to move to might be in jeopardy, whilst a home that has previously been on the market months before can look unattractive to potential buyers.

Hard work

One of the things that separates a good estate agent from the bad is the hard work they continue to do after you have accepted an offer.

In the trade it's called 'sales progression' and as it says on the tin it basically covers doing what's needed to make sure everything goes smoothly through all the processes that lead to completion.

We know that this is as important as any other aspect of the work involved in being a successful estate agent.

Initially doing the 'due diligence' procedures to make sure buyers are serious in their intentions and in a position to put in an offer is the first thing we do. After that, some sales are more complex than others, depending on the length of the chain involved and the number of different parties that this can include.

Solutions

Essentially getting through to moving day means solving any problems that might crop up. A survey may cause a buyer to have some concerns or want certain assurances, a local government search might need a push in the right direction, someone's solicitor might be dragging their heels...

Whatever the obstacle might be you can be sure we've come across it before and know the best way to get things moving. These are issues that crop up every day in our work and we're highly experienced in dealing with them on your behalf.

It's worth remembering that we don't get paid until the keys are handed over, so we have as much reason to hate a fall through as anyone!

So if you're thinking of moving and are looking for the right estate agent to handle your sale, bear these things in mind - we really will be there for you all the way through, working hard on your behalf every step of the way.

Call us on 01903 608080, email us, or pop into our office just around the corner from Worthing pier at Worthing House, 6 South Street and let's have a chat over a tea or coffee.