Selling Your Biggest Asset? BBC Panorama Showed Why the Agent You Choose Matters
What Panorama showed and what many sellers don’t realise until it’s too late is how damaging it can be to put your trust in the wrong agent. The cost isn’t just financial, it’s also the stress of poor communication, slow progress, or even a collapsed sale. Read on to find out what not to do by Nick Williams, Associate Director
If you caught the recent BBC Panorama episode on estate agents, you’ll know it wasn’t a glowing review of the industry.
From overvaluing homes just to win business, to giving questionable advice, and going missing during key moments of a sale. The show exposed some uncomfortable truths. And while it's important to note not every agent behaves like that, it’s clear that the bar for professionalism is still far too low in some corners of the market.
It’s frustrating to watch as a business that takes it job seriously. Selling a home isn’t just about uploading a few photos and hoping for the best. It’s about pricing it properly, presenting it well, qualifying buyers, and guiding the sale all the way to completion.
That takes experience, effort and client care.
Unfortunately, when people don’t do their homework and pick the cheapest or most confident sounding agent, they can end up with someone who talks a big game but disappears when it matters most. And that costs time, money and sometimes your sanity.
Here’s what to look for in a decent agent:
- Evidence, not guesswork. Ask how they arrived at the valuation? A good agent will show you comparable sales and explain their strategy, not just throw out a big number to win your business.
- Actual marketing plans. What will they do to generate interest? Professional photos, videos? targeted social media ads, or just list it and wait for the phone to ring?
- Communication. Are they easy to get hold of? Do they follow up quickly? It’s a strong clue for how they’ll handle your sale.
- Track record. How many similar homes have they sold recently? And what were the outcomes? Testimonials and local reputation matter, look at their google reviews.
Just because someone tells you what you want to hear, it doesn’t mean they’ll sell your home well. And as Panorama showed, poor advice can cost you dearly.
So, if you're thinking of selling, take the time and do your research. Ask questions and choose someone who treats your sale with the care it deserves.
To book a valuation meeting with us, click the link below and one of our team will get in touch.
