Cheapest estate agents in Sheffield

Moving to a completely new place can be an exciting and thrilling experience. However, it can also be rather daunting, especially if you do not know where to start.

If you are moving away, you have to navigate both the selling process of your current home and the buying process of your new home. This can be expensive, which is why it is always recommended that you hire an estate agent to assist you.

Selling your home is straightforward if you have a professional there to help you. An estate agent can do most of the work for you. Estate agents remain the most traditional way to sell a house on the open market.

That said, even estate agents can be costly. So, if you are interested in hiring an estate agent without wasting too much money, this blog post might help. Here is how you can find the cheapest estate agents in Sheffield!

What does an estate agent do? 

An estate agent will provide you with an expert opinion on how much your home is worth. This valuation will be based on their knowledge of the local property market and the prices of other local homes that are similar to yours from the Land Registry. 

In addition, they can also manage the viewings and other complicated negotiations. Simply put, an estate agent will represent the home seller and act as a negotiator between the buyer and the seller. They aim to make the process as smooth as possible. They also take a commission from the sale price. 

Value your property 

The first thing an estate agent will do is assist in valuing your property. To achieve this, they will utilise their experience of selling similar properties, their understanding of the current market, and data from trusted sources, such as the Land Register. This can help them determine exactly how much your home is worth. 

In a way, these valuation appointments can be seen as interviews, as sellers get to observe how their estate agent operates. You should always arrange multiple valuations before selecting an estate agent. This is because a good estate agent will be knowledgeable about the local property market data and should have experience in selling houses. Once this is completed, you can decide which estate agent is the right fit for you. 

Your estate agent is available to address any questions or concerns you may have about selling your home. They will be able to guide you through everything a buyer is looking for in your area. They will also provide you with advice on how to best prepare your home for sale. 

Property marketing 

Marketing your home to prospective buyers is certainly not an easy task. This responsibility is most commonly associated with estate agents and appears to be one of the most crucial steps. It plays a significant role in their work in home sales. 

Typically, estate agents will provide you with a marketing plan, which often includes floor plans, professional photographs, advertisements, effective property descriptions, marketing strategies, etc. This is a very important aspect of selling your home, which is why it is also essential to choose a good agent. 

Some local estate agents might promote your property through offline channels by placing it in newspapers, local press, or shop windows. Online agents usually rely more on websites that will handle most of the work, such as Zoopla. 

Most online estate agents do not include these services as standard in their offerings. This is why we do not regard online estate agents as dull service agents in the same way we do local ones. 

Vet potential buyers 

Marketing your property is arguably the most important part of an estate agent’s job, but the work they do behind the scenes is equally significant. Property transactions involve important financial commitments, which makes them risky. By hiring an estate agent, you are significantly reducing this risk as they will implement security measures and verify your buyers. 

Estate agents will adhere to the Property Ombudsman Code of Practice. This means they will assess potential buyers' financial viability, including verifying the source of funds and their availability. For instance, if a buyer wishes to secure a mortgage, your estate agent will confirm that they have a mortgage agreement in principle. 

Handling viewings 

An estate agent will also manage your property viewings, ensuring that the process is secure, professional, and convenient. They will arrange tours of your home for potential buyers. This way, your agent can guide them through all the key features of your home and answer any questions they may have about the property and the surrounding area. 

Additionally, estate agents may also offer an open house event. This is when multiple buyers visit at the same time. Of course, an estate agent is the one handling all the tours and inquiries, so that is not something you will need to concern yourself with. 

The best sales price 

After an estate agent has valued, marketed, and shown your home to potential buyers, the goal is to achieve the best sales price. They will assist in evaluating any offers that come in by consulting you and advising you on whether the offers are genuinely good. A well-priced property is much more likely to generate competitive offers, which means you may secure the best possible sales price for the current market. 

Your estate agent will act as the intermediary and handle all negotiations and discussions with the buyers. Once the negotiations are complete, they will present you with the buyer’s final offer. You can choose to accept the offer or attempt to negotiate for a higher price. 

Keep things moving 

Once you have accepted an offer, your agent will then issue a Memorandum of Sale. This document is sent to the buyer, vendor, and their solicitors, and it contains all the necessary details about the parties involved, along with their respective legal representatives. 

A good estate agent’s role does not end once an offer is accepted. Instead, they will continue to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly, addressing any issues that may arise. During this stage, your estate agent becomes your advisor, guiding you through the sales process.

What fees do I pay when selling with a Sheffield estate agent? 

When selling your home with an estate agent in Sheffield, you are expected to pay a percentage-based fee. On average, the costs are approximately 1.2% of the sale price. However, this will vary depending on the services your estate agent provides. 

The fee will usually cover a variety of services, which include property valuation, marketing, arranging viewings, and negotiations. So, if your estate agent offers additional services, such as professional photography or virtual tours, that might or might not be a part of the package. 

There are two main types of agreements you can choose from: the sole agency agreement, which is usually around 1.18% plus VAT, or a multi-agency agreement, which is usually higher and ranges from 2% to 3.5%. Keep in mind that estate agents are trying to get the most money out of the deal, so they will push for the higher percentage range. This is why you should compare multiple agents in order to find the best deals and services.

You can also choose cash buyers, such as The Property Buying Company. We will purchase your home in cash, regardless of its condition. This process is much quicker and cheaper than dealing with estate agents.

Cheapest estate agents in Sheffield

Online estate agents tend to be cheaper than local ones. However, they also lack some of the services only local estate agents offer. If you are searching for the cheapest estate agents in Sheffield, you need to do your research.

Here are some of the cheapest estate agents in Sheffield you should consider:

• Spencers Estate Agents - popular for offering a hands-on approach and local expertise. They offer competitive pricing, reflecting attention to detail and commitment.

• Archers Estates - operating in the Crosspool area, Archers Estates offers affordable and straightforward services. They specialise in residential sales and focus on cost-effective solutions.

• Coe Properties - known for offering value-driven services and catering to clients searching for low-cost solutions. Coe Properties is ideal for anyone looking for reliable but budget-friendly estate agents.

• Fernwood Property Management - although they are primarily a property management company, Fernwood offers affordable estate agent services for sales in Sheffield. They are transparent with their pricing.

• Hunters Estate Agents - offering competitive pricing with excellent services, ensuring sellers get good value for their money. Their packages are flexible.

Other cheap ways to sell your house in Sheffield

If you are unsure whether you should hire an estate agent to sell your home due to costs, there are other options to consider. Have you heard of cash house buyers? At Property Buying Company, we provide a fast, straightforward process to purchase homes for cash.

To get started, all you have to do is enter your postcode on our website and answer a couple of questions regarding your property, which will help us better understand the condition and desired sale timeline. Then, one of our team members will give you a call to discuss the next steps. We offer a free, no-obligation cash offer, free from estate agent fees, based on local data and expert market insights.