Choosing the right letting agent is a concern for any property owner. The last thing you want is to lose all your money paying extortionate costs, or worse yet house tenants who result in lengthy court proceedings and take time, money and comfort out of your hands.
There is much advice available online as to what to consider when choosing an agent to rent out your property, and here we review some aspects well worthy of note; after all, you have a legal obligation in offering your house for rent.
Your circumstances
Think about what level of assistance and service you require from your agent and understand the various levels of service on offer. You may wish to be hand-on with your tenants, or you may require a full management service.
You can easily find letting agents in Gloucester, such as http://www.alexclarkglos.co.uk, or in any other area. The key factor here is knowing what you need before you speak to an agent.
Fact finding
The next step is to speak to a few letting agents in Gloucester or the area of your property. Compare their offers, their fees and the levels of services available, not forgetting to read the small print. Research is key here and it would serve you well to read through all the documentation thoroughly before signing.
Fees
Make sure you have read and fully understand the payment structures the agent offers, as fees vary between agents. Expensive does not always mean better.
Meet your agent
Meeting your choice of possible agents is a very good idea. You may be working with them for a long time and you want to ensure you feel you can communicate with them well and feel comfortable speaking to them.
Valuations
Ask your potential agents to give you rental valuations so that you are aware of the market and feel you are being offered a competitive rate by your chosen agent compared with the general rental rates.
Client testimonials
Testimonials are a sure-fire way of ensuring that others who have been in the same position as you have positive experiences with the agent they have worked with.
Take time to do your research, and follow your instincts when choosing an agent. Remember that prevention is always better than cure.