Everyone knows that selling houses is like shelling peas. Right?  Estate agents have it easy.  They just put up a board – that advertises themselves - and the property is as good as gone at its ambitious asking price.  And estate agents charge a fortune.  Right?

Wrong!

What about selling property at a time when not so many are interested in buying?  When buyers are strapped for cash; when the lenders aren’t lending much; when the country is in the grip of a harsh austerity period and at a time of growing unemployment and public sector uncertainty.  What about selling property when an owner may be demanding more than the market will stand?  What about selling property when people have more pressing things to think about?  And how about selling a property for someone whose personal circumstances – joyous, sad or desperate – crucially depend on an estate agent’s efforts, despite all the negative market conditions.

Then selling property is not quite so easy as many might suggest.

But, cometh the moment cometh the estate agent.  Of course when the market is in spate it is easier to sell property.  But now, in many areas, there is a drought and matters are more serious.  Selling property in this market needs an estate agent with experience, with heart and foresight and skill and purpose. One with a steady hand who understands that moving home is often played out over two legs. There’s the home leg, selling, and the away leg, buying.  This is a time to play the long game and to see and understand the bigger picture - and to be able to communicate this to anxious clients.  There comes a time when selling property has to be put into the hands of someone who is seriously good at what they do.  This is not the time to seek out the cheapest option and feel good about it.  This is the time for hiring the top of the class.

If you want the cheapest agent or the one who – even against your own optimistic judgement – has valued way higher than every one else, do go ahead if that makes you feel good.  But what will really make you feel good is selling your property and moving on.  And for that, right now, you need a professional.

Red Adair, the famous oil well fire fighter said it perfectly, "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur!”