Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Should Be Asking

Selling your home? First of all, congratulations and second, buckle up. Choosing the right estate agent feels a bit like dating. You need someone trustworthy, proactive, and clear in their communication… and definitely not just chasing a commission. Before you commit to an agent, ask the right questions and understand their answers. This guide outlines the key conversations you should start—and the clarity you deserve—before signing a contract.

What will you charge, and what’s included?

Before you get swept up in the excitement, let’s talk fees. You might be able to negotiate a low fee, so don’t be afraid to haggle, it’s all part of the process. Just as importantly, be crystal clear about what’s included for that fee. Professional photography, floorplans, portal listings (Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket), and hosted viewings should all be standard. If they try to add ‘extras’, be wary. Good marketing should never come à la carte.

How will you present and market my home?

Selling a home goes beyond a simple transaction, it tells a story. Your agent needs to bring a strong marketing plan that does more than upload a listing online. They should arrange high-quality photography, craft a compelling description, and secure maximum exposure on major portals. Go further by discussing open houses or how they’ll tap into their buyer database. If your property has two or three bedrooms, focus on presenting the living space, outdoor areas, and flexible-use rooms (like a home office) in ways that attract couples or young families. You don’t need to furnish every room to fit a buyer’s ideal. If your second bedroom functions as an office, leave it that way. Today’s buyers value authenticity, so offer a realistic, clutter-free layout instead of a staged fantasy.

What’s the best way to stage my home for sale?

Presentation matters, a lot. In a competitive market, your property must shine both online and in person. If your selling a rental property and your tenants keep the property clean and well presented, great—you’re ahead. If not, your agent should step in to highlight the home’s potential by showcasing the layout, natural light, and standout features that attract buyers. Staging helps people imagine themselves living in the space. Think about your likely buyer: couples often gravitate toward sociable areas like living rooms, dining spaces, and gardens, so make sure these feel warm, open, and inviting. Decluttering offers the quickest win—clear surfaces, fresh towels, neatly made beds, and simple touches like greenery or flowers can instantly lift a space. You’re not just selling a property—you’re inviting someone into a lifestyle.

Should I do work on the property before selling?

If your home needs sprucing up before listing, start with low-cost, high-impact changes: declutter, deep clean, apply fresh coats of neutral paint, and tackle minor cosmetic repairs. When major work like a kitchen or bathroom renovation might boost the value, ask your agent to offer honest advice about whether it’s worth the investment. In many cases, marketing the property as a ‘blank canvas’ at a realistic price makes more sense.

Should I disclose any negatives about the property?

Yes – and not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s a legal requirement. Sellers are now obliged to disclose all material information that could affect a buyer’s decision, including things like official disputes with neighbours, planned major works, or structural issues. Failing to do so can result in serious legal consequences. While minor gripes (like a neighbour who occasionally plays loud music) may not need to be shared, anything formally recorded or likely to impact the buyer must be disclosed. The benefit? Once a buyer is fully informed and still commits, the sale is far more likely to go through – avoiding nasty surprises that could derail things during conveyancing, often months into the process. In most cases, these issues come out eventually, so addressing them early protects the sale and saves time, money, and stress for everyone involved.

How quickly can we launch, and how fast will It sell?

A well-organised agent should have your home photographed, described, and live on the market within 3-4 working days. If you need a little time for last-minute decluttering or light DIY, that’s fine – better to do it right than rush to market half-prepared. Once live, the first few weeks are critical. Your home gets the most attention early on, with serious buyers circling fast. If priced correctly and marketed well, most properties should attract offers within a few weeks. This is why getting an accurate valuation – based on real local data, not wishful thinking – is so important. Overpricing only delays your sale and risks making the listing go stale.

What should I know about contracts and future liabilities?

Estate agent contracts can be confusing if you’re not sure what to look for, so it’s important to understand what you’re signing. Most agencies, including us, operate on a sole selling rights basis. This means you would pay the agent’s fee even if you find your own buyer, which protects agents from situations where someone sees the marketing and approaches the seller directly. While this might sound restrictive, reputable agencies will usually offer flexibility by allowing you to name any potential buyers upfront (friends, family, or previous interested parties), who can be excluded from the contract.

There are other contract types to be aware of too:

• Sole agency means you only pay the agent if they’re the ones who sell the property.
• Multi-agency involves using several agents at once, which can increase exposure but also increases costs and risks sending a disjointed message to the market if not handled carefully.

What should I look out for in the small print?

One key thing to watch for is the tie-in period. You don’t want to be locked into a contract for longer than 12 weeks without flexibility to leave if the service isn’t meeting expectations. Also, be clear on what happens if you part ways with an agent and ensure your agent is a member of a government-approved redress scheme such as The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. This is a vital safeguard, giving you a formal route for complaints if anything goes wrong.

While most estate agents lock you into contracts for three to six months, we do things differently – our minimum listing term is just four weeks. Our clients stay because they want to, not because they have to, and we’re confident you’ll enjoy the process enough to feel the same.

The best agents aren’t just salespeople. They’re advisors, problem-solvers and negotiators. Choosing the right one sets the tone for your entire selling journey, from that first ‘For Sale’ photo shoot to the day you hand over your keys. Make sure you have these conversations early. A good agent won’t just answer your questions, they’ll help you feel excited and confident about your next chapter.

Contact us:

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, lettings and new homes)

katrina@daviesdavies.co.uk – Director of Property & Block Management (contact for property and block management)

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios

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