Switching Estate Agents: How to Make the Move and Get Your Sale Back on Track
When you chose your estate agent, you were confident they were the right people to sell your home. You signed the agreement, the photographs went live and the first few weeks felt promising.
A few months on, things feel different. Viewings have thinned out, the feedback is vague and similar homes nearby seem to be selling while yours sits still. It is only natural to start wondering whether the problem is the market, the price or the agent.
Most sellers who start thinking about a change recognise at least one of these signs:
- Viewings have dried up, or never really got going
- Your agent is pushing for a price reduction without a clear plan behind it
- Communication has slowed and you find yourself chasing for updates
Sometimes your agent has done a reasonable job and you simply want a fresh approach. Sometimes early promises have not been kept. Either way, switching estate agents can be exactly the reset your sale needs. Done well, it restores momentum. Done in a hurry, it can leave you tied into two contracts or facing two fees.
Here is how to get it right.
1. Look at the evidence before you act
Before making any decisions, gather the facts. How many viewings have you had, and over what period? Ask your agent how that compares with similar homes they are marketing. Then look at the property portals yourself. Are homes like yours going under offer while yours stays live, or are they sitting on the market too?
Ask your agent for your online portal statistics as well. A good agent will talk you through what the figures mean, whether interest has held steady, tailed off after the first few weeks or never really picked up. A listing that attracts plenty of views but few enquiries often points to a pricing or presentation issue. Low views can suggest the marketing is not reaching the right buyers.
The aim is to understand exactly where your sale is stalling. That way, you know what a new agent would need to do differently.
2. Read your agreement carefully
Before you speak to another agent, dig out your contract and check exactly what you signed. The type of agreement decides when you can switch and what you might owe.
Sole agency. The most common arrangement. One agent has the exclusive right to market your home for an agreed period. If you find a buyer entirely on your own, you usually will not owe them commission, but always check the wording.
Sole selling rights. Less common and more restrictive. The agent is typically entitled to their fee however your home is sold during the contract period, even if you find the buyer yourself.
Fixed or upfront fee. Some agents charge a set amount regardless of the sale price, often with some or all of it paid in advance. Money already paid is rarely refundable if you move on.
Once you know which agreement you have, check three more things:
- Your tie-in and notice periods. Many agreements run for a minimum term, with a notice period of several weeks on top. A new agent cannot take over as your sole agent until these have ended.
- The introduction clause. Most contracts state that if a buyer introduced by your first agent goes on to buy your home, that agent may still be owed their fee, even after you have switched. This is how sellers end up paying two agents for one sale. Ask your current agent for a written list of the buyers they have introduced.
- Terms such as “sole selling rights” or “ready, willing and able purchaser”. Estate agents are legally required to explain terms like these clearly before you sign. If yours were not explained, or you are unsure where you stand, take advice before acting.
If anything is unclear, ask your current agent to confirm the position in writing. A professional agent will do this without fuss.
3. Build a shortlist of new agents
Once you know you are free to switch, start looking for agents to shortlist. This time you have a real advantage, because you know exactly what did not work first time round.
Read reviews on Google and Facebook to see what other sellers say about their experience. Ask friends, family and neighbours which agents they would recommend, and more importantly, why.
Then look closely at how each agent markets homes. Find properties similar to yours on their books. Are the photographs bright and well composed? Do the descriptions bring the home to life, or simply list the rooms? If they use video on social media or YouTube, how do they come across? Warm and engaged, or formal and flat? If an agent does not connect with you on screen, they are unlikely to connect with buyers in person.
4. Mystery shop your shortlist
One of the most revealing things you can do is experience an agent as a buyer would. Choose a property similar to yours that they are marketing, call up and ask for details. Then only give information when they ask for it. If that feels awkward, ask a friend or family member to make the call while you listen in.
Afterwards, ask yourself:
- Did they ask for your name and phone number?
- Did they give you their name?
- Did they ask about your buying position?
- Did they offer to register your buying requirements?
- How much did they ask about your property search?
- How friendly, interested and engaged were they?
- Did they speak positively and knowledgeably about the property?
- Did they try to book a viewing?
- Did they take your email address or postal address?
- Did the details you asked for arrive promptly?
An agent who scores eight or more is attentive, capable and worth a closer look. Anything lower suggests they are missing opportunities with buyers. If they did not do a good job of selling the house you called about, they are unlikely to do a good job of selling yours.
5. Invite your shortlisted agents to your home
By now you should have one or two agents you feel genuinely confident about. When they visit, focus on four things:
- Their valuation. Do they support your current asking price, or would they recommend a change? Either answer is fine, if it is honest and backed by evidence. Be wary of an agent who simply agrees with your figure to win the instruction.
- Their track record. Which comparable homes have they sold in your area? How long did those sales take, and what prices were achieved?
- Their relaunch plan. Ask how they would reintroduce a home that has already been on the market. Fresh photography, a new description, a considered price and a targeted approach to their buyer database can all help your home feel new again.
- Their fee. Stronger agents often charge more, particularly when their marketing is of a higher standard. If you negotiate, notice how quickly they drop their fee. The way they negotiate with you is how they will negotiate with your buyer.
If an agent passes all these stages with flying colours, you have found the right partner to relaunch your sale and help you move on with your plans.
Switching estate agents in Chester, Cheshire and North Wales
Across Chester, Cheshire and North Wales, buyers remain active, but they are more discerning than in busier spells. They compare homes carefully, watch the property portals closely and tend to move quickly on homes that are well presented and realistically priced. A home that sits on the market for months can start to feel stale, which is why a well-planned relaunch with the right estate agent, fresh marketing and a clear pricing strategy can make such a difference. Local knowledge matters too. Estate agents in Chester and the surrounding area who know the streets, the villages and what buyers are actually paying will position your home far more accurately than anyone working from national averages.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch estate agents while my home is on the market?
Yes, usually once your tie-in period and any notice period have ended. Check your agreement first and confirm the end date with your current agent in writing.
Will I have to pay two estate agent fees?
Only in specific circumstances, most commonly where a buyer introduced by your first agent goes on to buy your home. Check the introduction clause in your contract and ask for a list of introduced buyers before you switch.
How long does it take to switch estate agents?
It depends on your notice period. Many sellers use that time to shortlist agents and prepare a proper relaunch, so no time is wasted.
What if I have a complaint about my current agent?
Raise it with the agency first. All estate agents in the UK must belong to a government-approved redress scheme, such as The Property Ombudsman, which you can approach if your complaint is not resolved.
Thinking about switching estate agents? Let’s talk
If your sale has stalled and you are weighing up your options, we would be happy to help. At Currans Unique, we are always glad to have an honest, confidential conversation about where your sale stands and what could move it forward, with no pressure and no obligation.
Call us on 01244 313900 or email sales@curransunique.co.uk. Whatever your plans, talking them through can help, and we would be proud to be part of your moving journey.
