Selling, buying or sourcing period property can be complex. On one hand, you may be looking for or selling a home, which is an emotional process. On the other hand, buying and selling period properties involves substantial financial transactions that can impact your assets for decades to come.
Choosing an estate agent to help with the process shouldn’t be a decision that is taken lightly. We encourage you to do your research and meet with several agents to find the one that best matches your requirements. Here are a few things to look out for, as well as reasons why we believe we’re uniquely placed to support you.
Check Your Estate Agent’s Qualifications and Experience
In the Scottish capital alone, there are dozens of agents out there vying for your business. Most businesses will have a beautifully designed and highly functional website to showcase properties and attract prospective buyers. So how can you choose the most suitable estate agent that meets your needs? It’s time to look under the hood, so to speak, and check a few essentials:
- Qualifications and accreditations
- Relevant experience
- Focus on period property
1. Qualifications and Accreditations
Traditionally, there are very few formal qualifications needed when someone becomes an estate agent. An interest in property and a talent for sales have been enough to get people started. In some cases, this practice left the door open to some abuse.
Organisations like the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) are looking to level the playing field. This makes it easier for buyers and sellers to choose reputable and reliable estate agents to trust with your period property. The NAEA’s PropertyMark has become a widely recognised indicator of a serious property business willing to adhere to high standards and a strict code of conduct.
Ativa Property director Fiona is qualified at PropertyMark level six. This is the highest-level award available to estate agents covering residential sales. Her commitment to high standards and transparent client relationships lies at the core of everything we do. Fiona also maintains continuous professional development, so you benefit from up-to-the-minute market insights and industry standards.
2. Relevant Experience
When it comes to buying and selling period property in Edinburgh and East Lothian, we believe that one area of experience matters most: marketing. Without understanding the fundamentals of marketing, it is almost impossible to connect sellers to prospective buyers and find dream period homes for sellers, or buyers, like yours.
Fiona has spent more than 30 years of her career marketing luxury and high-end properties and estates to discerning consumers around the world, including period hotels and historic venues. As a period home, investment and holiday-let owner herself, she understands what buyers are looking for and knows how to find it.
Let’s not forget the financial side of buying and selling property. Fiona has owned and run small businesses for decades. She puts great store by generating excellent results for clients and ensuring their objectives are met. With years of experience in marketing, PR and personal as well as client property experience, combined with unparalleled insights into the marketing and sales process, Ativa Property is perfectly placed to fulfil your needs. And for the elements of the sales process such as the survey and conveyancing we can recommend excellent, experienced colleagues.
3. Focus on Period Property
Many estate agents offer period property – among many other types of property. Whilst there is nothing wrong with casting the net wider, we want buyers to know what to expect when they look beyond our website home-page. The buyers on our database are looking specifically for period property and that’s all you’ll see in our property portfolio.
We specialize exclusively in selling and buying Edinburgh and East Lothian period property. This focus allows us to keep a close eye on available on- and off-market properties, as well as maintain tight relationships with industry partners. Especially during property sourcing, having inside access to the market and an in-depth understanding of what is available gives us an edge.
Look for realistic Assessments
Operating with integrity and transparency are important criterion when you’re looking for an estate agent to help you buy or sell period property. Beware the promise of a high sales price! Pitching your property high to win the business can lead to a flawed marketing plan and disappointing results when it comes to the crunch.
Overvaluing your home simply goes against our ethos. Not only are we bound by the NAEA code of conduct and other consumer legislation, but, more importantly, we believe in establishing long-term relationships with our clients. Honesty and transparency are essential components of that.
If you want to check how realistic an estate agent’s assessment of your property value is, look no further than the home report. The survey part of the home report includes the valuation. If your period home is extremely desirable, and with the help of effective marketing, you may well achieve a higher than expected sale price. But it’s best to start the process with realistic expectations and a transparent approach.
Passion Matters
Apart from qualifications, credentials, experience and an honest approach, there is one more factor to consider when selecting an estate agent: passion.
Having a passion for period property will spur your estate agent to go the extra mile to help you sell your home. If you are looking to buy period property in Edinburgh, the same passionate approach is critical. It helps your agent find those off-market gems that others may not have had access to.
Period property is more than a business. Finding an estate agent with a love for Edinburgh, its outstanding period features (and promoting these!) and the dedication to deliver truly great service will transform your property hunt or sale.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, don’t underestimate the importance of a personal connection with your estate agent. Buying, selling and, even more so, sourcing period property can take some time. During that process, you want to make sure your estate agent is proactively working on your behalf. This is easier in a small, boutique-style environment than in a large, impersonal agency setting.
Period property is personal – to us and to you. Talk to us today to find out if we could be a good fit for you.
