What To Do If You’re Not Happy With Your Agent
Finding yourself in an uncomfortable situation with your agent can be really difficult. Sometimes, it's not the fact that they're inefficient, it may be because you would prefer another method of sale. Whatever the reason for this potential clash, it's important to know where you stand and what can be done.
The process of selling your property is in itself a daunting task and you want to make sure you have efficient support throughout the selling journey. You deserve to get the results you want, but sometimes, this does not always go to plan. As your Sussex Property Experts, we've put together the following article of what to do if you find yourself unhappy with your agent...
First Things First: Talk To Your Agent
Half of the time, agents may be experiencing issues with others due to a lack of communication and simply talking to them can iron out where any potential conflict is coming from. You need to explain what is making you unhappy and what aspect of their services you would like them to improve on. Not only does this open a constructive dialogue with your agent, it also gives them insight on how to improve their processes in future.
Make Suggestions
Having identified the aspects of your agent's services you are not happy with, you can go ahead to pitch your suggestions to them and how best they can incorporate it into their policies to help create the right results you need. Most real estate agents are professionals who may have practiced for years, you do not want to come off as imposing with your ideas, pitch them with the need to make headway in mind.
Escalate Your Complaint
If after following the first two stages in this article doesn't yield your preferred results, you may need to escalate your complaint. Property agents in the UK are mandated to be members of these compulsory schemes: The Property Ombudsman and Property Redress Scheme. Should you have a hard time dealing with your agent, you have the option of filing a formal complaint to the appropriate scheme of which they belong.
Check Your Contract
If you have tried all means to get your agent to see things your way and it’s not working, it may be time to check the details of your contract. Before terminating any contract, you should learn what costs or legal liabilities there are. Most contracts include mutual obligations for termination, which must be followed within the agreed timeframe unless there is a clear breach. If your contract requires 30 days' notice, you cannot terminate it immediately without risking legal action.
Instruct Another Agent
Once you've met the conditions to terminate your previous contract, you may need a new agent. This time, be clear with your instructions and choose someone who meets your requirements. Google reviews can be a great place to start researching other agents. You can find ours here for Shoreham, Lewes, and Brighton & Hove.
As stated above, we certainly don't fancy getting stuck with professionals whose methods or performance do not align with our expectations. We hope these tips help with getting you the agent you want and need. If you are thinking of switching agents to Oakley Property, and have any questions about the process, don't hesitate to get in touch with our team of Sussex Property Experts!
