The value a specialist property broker brings to your sale

Emphasis on the deal

There is more to negotiating a property than an offer being made by a buyer and the homeowners accepting, and yet all over the UK millions of homes are sold this way. A property brokers approach is to place considerable emphasis on the deal, we act differently reading the situation is key to thoroughly understanding how to approach negotiations. Our buyers and sellers often have personal circumstances and time frames that have to be considered, but beyond that, we wouldn’t be doing anyone justice if we didn’t negotiate effectively.

Confidence plays a huge part, you need to feel confident that the property partner you choose has the right skill set to broker you the best deal. Five easy questions to ask to help you decide who should sell your property….

•What is your pricing strategy and how does it work?

•Can you talk through any case studies?

•Who do you believe are likely buyers and budgets?

•How do you manage multiple offers?

•What is your negotiating style?

Another good test is to see how an agent or broker negotiates their terms to represent you and your property.

As Brits, we always love a deal, yet in many cases we are happy to pay the price of the product because it is a purchase we deeply desire. Yet when it comes to services, our mindset can often be a little different; we want to know that we are getting value for our money. That the electrician has done a wonderful job and there will be no issues, the accountant is proactively acting on your behalf and the shopping in your basket looks fruitful. When it comes to selling your home what value does a specialist property broker bring?

It's about selling houses

Today’s property market is about agility and versatility. The high-end property market works in a different way: not every seller wishes their home to be widely advertised. In fact, many prefer that it is marketed in a discreet way. Ensuring that the service we offer meets the needs of a particular client is essential, but in addition to that, as specialist property brokers, we have to adapt and create new avenues to attract the right potential buyers.

Unique homes all offer a particular lifestyle, whether that is a rural abode in a peaceful setting a distance from your nearest neighbour or a grand period home filled with striking original features and a wealth of fascinating stories, these homes are a jewel for those looking to snatch a piece of history. The buyers we need to attract may not be local, may not even be looking within our beautiful part of the world, but they know the property they wish to own.

We use a wide range of bespoke marketing methods personally curated for each property, employing a range of professionals including a videographer, luxury home photographer, PR expert, a storyteller who exquisitely captures the owners’ memories of their property, and a home stager. We don’t just rely on Rightmove, we have a a clear 3 staged approach that’s tried and tested. Have you probed your chosen property partner with regards to their strategy?

An asking price isn’t the end price: offers can vary and there’s often a 10% difference between the lowest and accepted sales price, and in extreme cases as much as 20%. To achieve this takes hard work, dedication and the ability to read the situation to prevent pushing it so far it breaks. Negotiation is an art form that we continually develop to meet the specific needs of the changing property market.

Value

When selling your home you have a choice, opt for the estate agent offering the lowest percentage fee, or a specialist property broker who will best represent you in negotiations. After all, it is ultimately delivering a great price is how an agent or broker can demonstrate the best value.

To discover more about the value we add to the sale of your property come and speak to Peter on 0117 325 2600.

Scan here and see what the market is like for your home

How do we find our way through the new year property market maze?

There are areas of the British Isles, such as loftier parts of the Isle of Skye, where a compass doesn’t work. This anomaly is due to the local geology – a hard, abrasive, magnetic rock called gabbro. Not being able to trust one’s compass is always unnerving - and potentially dangerous.

At the moment the property market is like an untrustworthy compass. The needle should point accurately; instead it is going round and round, making the public uncertain about the correct way to go.

Many people are faced with the rotating needle of conflicting information from the Press and Social Media. Some commentators point to falling values, while others disagree. Headlines scream that higher mortgage rates will make it difficult for first time buyers, buy-to-let investors will be selling up en masse, or that in a few short months we will be in a pre-banking crisis, pre-Brexit and prepandemic property market Utopia.

Whether you are selling, buying a home, or buying to let, it’s challenging for most to know which way to go. Should one hold off buying or selling in the hope of a better market? But buyers and sellers will be piling in by then, which could mean losing the advantage of bold action now.

The answer to all these questions is to ignore the confused media compass and find a more reliable

pathfinder. Enter Howard Independent Estate Agents

You might be astonished to know how much Howard understands about our local property market. After all, our activities are seen in the main to consist of Social Media posts, newspaper ads and For Sale and Sold boards. But at Howard we are like icebergs: ninety per cent of what’s going on is unseen.

Author, Malcolm Gladwell, suggested it takes 10,000 hours (or approximately ten years) of deliberate practice to become an expert in anything.

Over ten years Howard has marketed, agreed the sales and seen through to completion thousands of property deals through markets good and bad, economies booming and busting, in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Howard has also helped families move during the good and the not so good times in their lives. We have advised landlords and investors, looked after their properties, and have secured good tenants regardless of market conditions. At Howard we have learnt what to do whatever the market, and we know what to do now.

So, if you want to know what direction is best for you in the prevailing property market, don’t trust a compass; ask the experts at Howard!

Cliftonwood, Bristol | Guide Price £695,000

A superb period terrace house in popular Clifton Wood; with versatile accommodation over 4 floors, a current HMO License and opportunity to adapt to a new owner’s needs.

A fabulous circa 1700 sq. ft 4 bedroom period townhouse | Four double bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms | Full depth open plan kitchen and dining room | Separate sitting room with wood burning stove | Bedroom five / home office | Enclosed courtyard garden | Close to the harbourside, Lion Pub and Clifton village | Catchment area for Hotwells Primary School | No onward chain

In all circa 1700 sq. ft (157 sq. m)

City Centre, Bristol | Offers in Excess of £550,000

A superb two storey duplex penthouse apartment in a highly sought-after central Bristol location, with a private roof terrace, allocated off-street parking, private storage pod and concierge service.

Circa 1020 sq. ft duplex penthouse apartment | Iconic Grade II Listed Art Deco building | 7-day a week concierge service | Two double bedrooms | Well-appointed bathroom | Stunning circa 600 sq. ft open plan sitting room and kitchen with superb city views | Full width southerly facing paved roof terrace | Private and secure storage pod | Allocated underground parking | EPC: E

In all circa 1020 sq. ft (94.6 sq. m)