Selecting the right person to lead your property journey is not only about clicking with a friendly face. The agent you select will determine your timeframe, your experience, and your end result, whether you are ready to sell or you are looking to buy your next home. When dealing with an estate agency in Scotland, comparing online reviews is not the only step; interviewing the agents with the right questions will also help you understand their work and the quality of their service.
How Long Have You Worked in This Area?
Local knowledge is important. The value of the properties, the demand of the buyers and even the policies of the council may differ street by street. Questions to ask the agent include how long they have been in business in your area and the number of transactions they have done in your area. Their response indicates the extent to which they understand pricing strategy, timing, and appeal to the neighbourhood, all of which are crucial factors in determining the success of marketing or negotiation.
What’s Your Strategy for Selling My Property?
Generic listings do not attract serious buyers. Request a report on how the agency will position your property. Will they do viewings themselves? What type of photography and copywriting will they employ? Do you have virtual tours? Understanding how your house will be displayed on various platforms will give you insight into the level of customisation in their marketing campaign.
How Will You Keep Me Updated?
Frequent communication may be the difference between being informed and being left out. Enquire on frequency, format and point of contact. Will there be weekly updates over the phone? Do they have a client portal? Being open in this aspect creates expectations early and prevents frustrations in the future.
What Are Your Fees—and What Do They Include?
Not every commission structure is simple. There are agencies that incorporate photography, advertising and valuation reports in their fee and others that charge separately. Obtain a breakdown of what is covered, and explain whether VAT is included. It is only worth comparing the percentage fees when you are aware of what you are actually paying.
Do You Work with Buyers as Well as Sellers?
Most agents are representing both sides, and usually in the same sale. One can wonder how they handle possible conflicts of interest. As a buyer, ask how they get listings beyond what is already in the open. When selling, inquire about their priorities in viewing and screening prospective buyers.
How Do You Handle Offers and Negotiations?
Once offers begin arriving, how an agent handles them may affect your ultimate price. Enquire how they counsel sellers on which bids to accept, how they liaise with solicitors, and what methods they apply to stimulate competition in bids. This observation informs you about how they are more reactive or proactive at the time when it is needed most.
Can You Share Recent Results?
Future service is frequently determined by past performance. Request examples of recent sales of similar properties to yours or within your price range. What was the duration from listing to housing contract completion? Was the ultimate price over, under, or at valuation? Practical case studies are better than general claims of knowledge in the market.
What Sets You Apart From Other Agencies?
Give agents the chance to define their approach. Do they invest more in marketing? Have access to exclusive buyer networks? A unique client onboarding process? Their answer offers a clearer picture of the experience you can expect and helps differentiate between genuinely bespoke service and boilerplate replies.
Clarity Before Commitment
Selecting an estate agency should be treated as a serious decision, not a rushed formality. By asking the right questions, you reveal how well an agent understands your priorities, communicates under pressure, and navigates the market on your behalf. A little time spent at the beginning leads to smoother negotiations, stronger offers, and more satisfying outcomes, on either side of the sale.
