Choosing an estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home. It’s also one that’s often made too quickly — a comparison of fee percentages and a gut feeling, without much else to go on.
Here are eight questions worth asking before you sign anything.
1. What’s actually included in your fee?
A headline percentage doesn’t tell you much on its own. Ask what’s covered: professional photography, floor plans, portal listings, and how many platforms your property will be advertised on. Get it in writing before you commit.
2. How long does the contract tie me in for?
Some agents ask for sole agency agreements of several months. That’s fine if they’re delivering — less so if they’re not. Know what you’re agreeing to, and ask what happens if you want to end the arrangement early.
3. How many similar properties have you sold nearby recently?
This is the most revealing question you can ask. Recent, local, comparable sales — not the ones on the website from two years ago — tell you far more about an agent’s track record than any brochure.
4. What percentage of asking price do your sellers typically achieve?
A great asking price means nothing if properties consistently sell well below it. Agents who price realistically and negotiate well tend to achieve better outcomes for sellers.
5. How will you communicate with me?
Will you get a weekly update whether there’s news or not? Who’s your main point of contact? How quickly can you expect calls and emails returned? Poor communication is one of the most common complaints sellers make — clarify expectations upfront.
6. How do you handle multiple offers?
Knowing how an agent manages competing bids — and how they keep all parties informed — tells you a lot about how they operate under pressure.
7. What happens after the offer is accepted?
A good agent doesn’t disappear at offer stage. Ask how they stay involved through to completion, and whether they have experience managing chains.
8. Are you a member of a professional body?
This is the one question many people forget to ask. Estate agents in Northern Ireland aren’t required to belong to any professional organisation — which makes voluntary membership of a body like Estate Agents NI a meaningful signal that an agent has chosen accountability.
Making a confident choice
The right agent isn’t always the one with the lowest fee or the highest valuation. It’s the one with the knowledge, the communication skills, and the professional commitment to see your sale through properly.
Looking for an agent you can trust? Browse the Estate Agents NI member directory to find a professional near you.