What Does an Estate Agent Do When Selling a Property?

If you’re selling a property for the first time, you may wonder what does an estate agent do and whether you really need one.

An estate agent can help with many parts of the property sale. This can include valuing your home, finding potential buyers, arranging viewings, handling offers and helping the sale move forward.

The exact service will depend on the estate agent you choose.

In this guide, we’ll explain what an estate agent does and how they can help you sell your property.

What Does an Estate Agent Do?

An estate agent acts as a link between property sellers and potential buyers.

Their job is to help market your property, attract suitable buyers and support the sale from the first valuation through to the point where the sale is agreed.

A typical estate agent may help with:

Property valuations
Property marketing
Finding potential buyers
Arranging viewings
Managing offers
Negotiating with buyers
Communicating with other people involved in the sale
Helping the sale move forward

However, the level of support can vary between estate agents.

That’s why it is important to understand what is included before choosing an agent.

1. Property Valuation

One of the first things an estate agent can do is value your property.

The agent may look at:

Your property’s location
Property size
Number of bedrooms
Property condition
Recent local sales
Current buyer demand
Similar properties on the market

The goal is to suggest a realistic asking price.

It can be useful to compare valuations from several estate agents before deciding which one to use.

A high valuation may sound attractive, but the most important question is whether the agent can support the suggested price with local market evidence.

2. Marketing Your Property

Once you’ve decided on an asking price, the estate agent can help market your property.

Depending on the service, this may include:

Professional photographs
Floor plans
Property descriptions
Online listings
Property portals
Social media
Email marketing
Local advertising

Good marketing can help your property reach more potential buyers.

For this reason, ask the estate agent exactly what marketing is included in their fee.

3. Finding Potential Buyers

Estate agents often have access to people who are already looking to buy a property.

They may contact suitable buyers when a new property becomes available.

Some agents also maintain their own databases of people who have previously registered their property requirements.

This can help you reach buyers who are already interested in properties similar to yours.

4. Arranging Property Viewings

Viewings give potential buyers an opportunity to see the property in person.

An estate agent may arrange and manage these appointments.

They can also answer basic questions about the property and collect feedback from viewers.

Before choosing an agent, ask whether they provide accompanied viewings or whether you will be expected to handle them yourself.

5. Managing Offers

When a buyer wants to purchase your property, they can make an offer through the estate agent.

The agent will normally communicate the offer to you and may provide information about the buyer’s position.

For example, they may ask whether the buyer:

Has a mortgage agreement in principle
Has already sold their current property
Is a first-time buyer
Is part of a property chain

The highest offer isn’t always the strongest offer.

Your estate agent can help you understand the different offers so you can make an informed decision.

6. Negotiating With Buyers

Sometimes the first offer isn’t the final offer.

An estate agent may communicate with both sides during negotiations.

They can discuss price and other parts of the deal while keeping you informed.

Good communication is particularly important at this stage.

You should always understand what offers have been made and what you are being asked to agree to.

7. Helping the Sale Move Forward

Accepting an offer does not mean the property sale is finished.

There may still be several steps before the transaction is completed.

The estate agent may communicate with:

The buyer
The buyer’s estate agent
Solicitors
Mortgage providers
Other agents in the property chain

They may also provide updates and help identify delays.

However, an estate agent does not replace your solicitor or conveyancer. Legal work related to the property sale should be handled by the appropriate legal professional.

8. Helping You Prepare Your Property

Before marketing your property, an estate agent may also suggest ways to make it more appealing to buyers.

This could include:

Improving the presentation
Decluttering rooms
Making small repairs
Improving photographs
Reviewing the asking price
Preparing important documents

Small improvements can sometimes make a property easier to market.

9. Checking Your EPC

If you’re selling your property, you should also check your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

An EPC gives information about the energy efficiency of a property and provides an energy rating from A to G.

In many cases, a valid EPC is required before a property is marketed for sale or rent.

You can check whether your property already has an EPC through GOV.UK.

If you need a new certificate, you can read the official GOV.UK guidance on getting an Energy Performance Certificate.

If you’re preparing your property for sale and need an EPC service, you can also visit our EPC service page.

Do You Have to Use an Estate Agent?

You don’t always have to use an estate agent when selling a property.

Some homeowners choose to sell their property themselves.

However, selling privately means you may need to handle tasks such as:

Marketing the property
Responding to enquiries
Arranging viewings
Negotiating offers
Communicating with buyers
Managing the sale process

An estate agent can take care of many of these tasks for you.

Whether you use an agent will depend on your experience, time and confidence in managing the sale yourself.

How Much Does an Estate Agent Cost?

Estate agent fees vary.

Some agents charge a percentage of the final sale price, while others may offer fixed-fee services.

Before signing an agreement, ask about:

The agent’s fee
VAT
Marketing costs
Photography costs
Contract length
Cancellation or withdrawal fees
Any other charges

Always make sure you understand the full cost before agreeing to the service.

How Do You Choose the Right Estate Agent?

Choosing an estate agent should involve more than comparing fees.

Look at their:

Local knowledge
Recent sales
Property marketing
Customer reviews
Communication
Fees
Experience with similar properties

You may also want to speak with several agents before making your decision.

If you’re looking for estate agents that match your property and location, you can find an estate agent with Find My Estate Agent.

Questions to Ask an Estate Agent

Before choosing an agent, consider asking:

How much do you think my property is worth?
How did you reach that valuation?
How many similar properties have you sold?
What marketing is included?
Will you arrange property viewings?
How will you communicate offers?
What happens after an offer is accepted?
What are your fees?
How long is the agreement?
Who will be my main contact?

The answers can help you compare your options.

Final Thoughts

So, what does an estate agent do?

An estate agent can help with much more than putting your property online.

They can value your property, market it, find potential buyers, arrange viewings, manage offers and help keep the sale moving.

The level of service can vary between agents, so take the time to compare your options.

If you’re selling or renting a property in London, Find My Estate Agent can help you explore suitable estate agents based on your property and needs.

Find an Estate Agent

Useful Official Information

For more information about selling a property and EPCs, visit: