What to Consider When Choosing an Estate Agent in Dublin

Home » Blog » What to Consider When Choosing an Estate Agent in Dublin

Choosing an estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your property. In a competitive Dublin market, where demand and sales prices can vary substantially between neighbourhoods, the right estate agent can help you to achieve the best sales price for your property and can help to reduce unnecessary stress from the sales journey.

A typical house sale in Ireland can take between three to six months and even longer at times, so partnering with the right estate agent can make all of the difference.

Although fees are understandably often top of mind for many sellers, there are a number of other factors you should consider when researching prospective estate agents to handle the sale of your home or investment property.

First Things First – Look for a Licensed Agent

Before engaging any property professional, you can first verify that they are licenced to operate in Ireland by checking the official PSRA (Property Services Regulatory Authority) register at https://www.psr.ie/psra-registers/register-of-licensed-property-services-providers/

All Property Services Providers (PSPs), which includes Estate Agents and Auctioneers, operating in the Republic of Ireland must hold a PSRA licence. 

Local Knowledge Matters!

Partnering with an agent that has a strong knowledge of your particular area is crucial. It can mean not only a more accurate house valuation at the outset, but also a better understanding of how to effectively market your property throughout the sales process.

It can also potentially mean that you can hit the ground running as your agent may also have a list of potential buyers or a buyer database for your area already on file.

An estate agent with good local knowledge will be well versed on:

• Recent sales and average sales prices for the area – leading to a more accurate valuation for your home or investment property. The initial valuation is an extremely important element, as a valuation that is too high or too low can discourage prospective and otherwise interested buyers.
• Planned retail or transport developments that may enhance an area’s appeal and attractiveness to potential buyers.
• Local amenities such as sports clubs and transport connections that would be of interest to potential buyers.

Don’t be afraid to ask your agent for examples of:

1. Previous or recent properties sold by them in your area.
2. Examples of past sales which involved properties that are similar to yours – e.g. detached homes, apartments etc.
3. Details of specific experience of the Dublin property market.

Look for a Good Rapport and Trust

Given the central role that an estate agent will play in the sale of your property, it’s essential to choose someone you genuinely trust and feel comfortable working with. A good agent will take the time to understand your priorities and goals and demonstrate excellent communication skills from your very first meeting.

Discuss the Marketing Strategy for Your Property

The best agents know that marketing is not just about uploading a listing; it’s about positioning your property effectively in the market and attracting the right buyers for your property. It’s worth having an open conversation with your prospective estate agent before you commit and ask questions such as:

Where exactly will my property be advertised?

Understand the online property portals and social media outlets where your property will be showcased.

How will my property be presented?

Ideally your marketing will include professional photography, floorplans, and well-written descriptions highlighting key selling points for prospective buyers.

Who will conduct negotiations on my behalf throughout the process?

It is important at the outset to be clear on who will conduct sales negotiations on the sale of your home once offers are made by prospective buyers; and if they are a senior negotiator with relevant experience to date. You should satisfy yourself that they have the relevant market experience and skills to effectively negotiate the best sale price on your behalf.

What tips would you suggest for getting my house ready for sale?

There are a number of low-cost, high-impact steps you can take to ensure your home or investment property is presented to the market in its best possible condition an many estate agents will be able to advise you in this area. For more tips on preparing your property for sale, see our recent blog ‘So You Have Decided to Sell’.

Remember that it is your estate agents marketing strategy that will help your property to stand out from similar properties!

Fees

It’s important to fully understand the fees and terms of the agreement with your estate agent and to ask questions about anything of which you are unsure. Compare fees with other providers and ensure you are satisfied that the fees are fair and reasonable.

Remember that an estate agent with the right expertise, skillset and contacts for selling your home may not always be the cheapest provider!

A well-chosen agent will not only secure a better financial result, but also protect your time, peace of mind, and compliance obligations.

How Herbert & Lansdowne can Help

Herbert & Lansdowne are experts in the Dublin property market and have over 20 years’ of experience across a full range of residential and commercial properties and go above and beyond to achieve the best results possible for their clients.

If you would like to get in touch, simply fill out the form on our contact page, give us a call or pop into our city-centre location and one of our experts would be delighted to speak with you about your property.

This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.