Eight ways for estate agents to be more professional

1. Be professional 

The number one behaviour highlighted by vendors as essential was professional behaviour demonstrated by being proactive, pre-empting their needs and delivering as promised. 

2. Regular feedback 

Vendors stressed the value of agents who were proactive about delivering a transparent sales process and who used data-based insights to support their processes. 

3. Be friendly and approachable 

Vendors appreciated agents being easy to talk to and with whom they felt safe to ask questions at any time. 

4. Know your market 

Vendors felt confident they were in good hands when agents demonstrated their market expertise, showed them the data they had used to determine price estimates and took the time to explain market behaviour to anxious vendors. 

5. Provide advice and help 

Vendors highly valued advice on presenting their homes in the best possible light especially when it was supported by recommending and helping coordinate tradesmen. 

6. Be on their side 

Vendors felt championed by agents who negotiated hard on their behalf and offered to assist them with the purchase of their next home. 

7. Be thoughtful 

Vendors were impressed by agents who demonstrated thoughtfulness – either by ensuring multiple agents were located around the home during opens, to offering bottles of waters to buyers on hot days through to thank you gifts at the conclusion of the sale. 

8. Don’t dump them at the end 

Many vendors flagged they felt dumped by their agents as soon as the sale was signed, while those whose agents who stayed in touch were more likely to be delighted and recommend their agents to friends.