Choosing the right estate agent
Buying, selling or renting a home is one of the most important decisions you will have to make, and it can also be one of the most complex. An estate agent should be dedicated to simplifying the process for you to make it as stress free as possible, but the unfortunate reality is that lots of people have a bad experience with estate agents. The right agent will guide you every step of way and go above and beyond to get you the best deal. They will have hard discussions but most importantly they will always be in touch to update you.
At Nicole Gervasi we’re proud of our reputation and customer service. It’s our job to ensure your property journey is as rewarding as possible, and we’ve had over 7 years to get it right & perfect it.
If you’re thinking about changing estate agents, read on to see why you should switch to Nicole Gervasi and how simple it can be.
Reasons for switching estate agents
I’m selling my home – can I switch real estate agents as a seller?
Your home is on the market for sale, but you have only received a handful of viewings and the agent you instructed has gone quiet. Perhaps your agent is pushing for a price reduction, even though similar properties in your area are flying off the shelf. Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to think about switching estate agents.
If you have a negative experience with an estate agent, it’s usually obvious. But what does a good estate agent look like? Firstly, if you’re selling, you should receive accurate market-based pricing for your home, not an inflated figure to ‘hook’ you in. Especially in a market this temperamental and on the decline. Once you’ve instructed your chosen agent, they should be in constant communication with you to guide you through every stage of the selling process – good and bad. If not, so favourable news they should not shy away and explain what’s the next plan. They should provide honest feedback after viewings and not tell you what you want to hear just to keep your instruction.
Nicole Gervasi’s sales team is underpinned by a culture built on energy, agility, professionalism, local knowledge and experience in the industry and with people. As a result, our clients benefit from highly accurate valuations informed by an intimate understanding of the communities in which we operate. Our accurate guide pricing means we will advise you of the right level to achieve the best results for you in line with the current market conditions & if it actually is the right option for you.
In terms of finding buyers, your property should be advertised on major portals such as realestate.com.au & domain.com.au, which registered agents are able to do & as top listings not on page 10 for a free advert or to save you money on an advert that will get you nowhere and only make their company present as though they have stock. The success of an agent is not about volume – they can have a lot of stale volume. It’s about service, result and turnaround time. If your estate agent is not advertising on any major portals or promised you an off-market approach only to try convert you later, not only is your property not getting the attention it deserves, but it might also mean you’re dealing with a disreputable business, or an agent focused on looking good with number of listings they are carrying.
At Nicole Gervasi, we have an extensive marketing strategy which has not only created and tailored by us and our suppliers, but gets your property seen where it matters. How else would we sell what others can’t and be the noted leading firm for off market sales. From our ever-growing social media following, our website, regular coverage in national and international press and an office in prime Moonee Ponds, we always maximise the exposure our clients’ properties receive.
Our network is huge, even as a 1 office operation, we work together to find the right buyer for you, meaning your property will be shown to vetted purchasers city-wide regardless of location – we have no restrictions or territories.
If you’re interested in selling your property through Nicole Gervasi or you would like to know more about our sales process, contact us today – 03 9452 8030 (or direct to one of our mobiles found on the About Us section on our website)
Letting out your home?
If you’re a seasoned landlord you may already be aware of the issues caused by a poor estate agent, but if you’re letting out your property for the first time you may not know what to look out for. Having the right knowledge can save you a lot of headache, time and money, which is why it’s important to choose a lettings agent that you can rely on for years to come.
Is your property constantly on and off the market due to unreliable tenancies? Does the rent achieved seem below the level similar properties in the area are earning? Has your managing agent gone radio silent, leaving you to do the work you’re meant to be paying them for? Maybe your agent hasn’t qualified your tenants and now your property is being sublet, or perhaps your tenancy has just finished and your property has been damaged. If you’re a first-time landlord, has the agent CLEARLY disclosed all of their fees? If not, not only might you be met with unexpected charges, but you’ll most likely be dealing with an agent that isn’t a Landlord themselves.
If any of these issues are ringing true, it’s time to reconsider your Letting and Managing agent.
So, what makes a good letting agent? At Nicole Gervasi, we believe it’s quite simple – clear, honest communication, maximising returns, reliable tenants, long-term tenancies and no hidden fees and no super computers. Know every tenant, know every Landlord, Know every property.
We have a rigorous vetting process to find the best quality tenants that will treat your property with respect, and more importantly as a home. We have a unique qualification process that goes beyond just name and employment, ensuring candidates are pre-qualified before they see your property. What’s more, we operate one of the largest accumulated Rent rolls from scratch without purchasing any clients. Rental income is important, but we understand it’s equally as important to have peace of mind that your tenants are in it for the long term, it’s why our average tenancy length is three and a half years & our average rental price per week is $852.
We pride ourselves on excellent service, going above and beyond to make sure any issues that arise are dealt with quickly and efficiently. If your property is managed by us, both you and your tenants will have 24/7 access to all of us directly on our mobiles should the unexpected occur or you simply just have your head ticking at night. When something needs to be done, we have an arm of reputable contractors on hand, many of which have worked with us since the start.
It couldn’t be easier to switch to Nicole Gervasi lettings service, whether you have one property to manage or a whole portfolio. If you’re interested in letting your property with us or would like to know more about our letting services, contact us today – 03 9452 8030 (or direct to one of our mobiles found on the About Us section on our website)
How do you get out of a contract with an estate agency?
If you’re unhappy with your estate agent, it’s important to voice your dissatisfaction by making a complaint before making any rash decisions.
Once you’ve exhausted your agent’s complaints process and made the decision to switch to another agent, check your contract. You will need to terminate the contractual agreement before entering another with your new agent should this be on the selling side of things. Generally, you should contact your agent in writing and provide written notice of your intention to end the contract should it be before the term. The terms on which you will be able to terminate your contract will entirely depend on the content of the agreement – you may have to pay a fee even if the service the agent provided hasn’t been what you expected. There may also be a minimum notice period that you must adhere to in order to terminate the contract.
Whilst you can technically change estate agents during a sole agency agreement, you may likely end up having to pay two separate agent fees once your property sells. We would advise against this for obvious reasons.
For lettings and managing agents, you can change anytime at any stage of the leasing or management.
If there is a part of your contract that you feel is unfair, you can dispute this with Consumer Affairs.
Unsure on what grounds you can terminate your contract? We would be happy to help you determine what your rights and obligations are and recommend reputable legal advice if necessary.
At Nicole Gervasi, we will only send you our terms of business once you have terminated the agreement with your existing agent.
Can I switch estate agents as a tenant? What do I look out for as a new tenant?
It is no secret that the demand for rental properties in Melbourne is outstripping supply right now. Unfortunately, this fosters the perfect environment for illegitimate letting ‘agents’ to take advantage of those looking for their new home to rent. Making the wrong decision when it comes to renting a home could be a very costly mistake, so it’s important to know what to look out for.
Above all, clarity for tenants, especially those who are new to the Melbourne, is paramount. A good lettings agent will include clear property and tenancy information with photographs that accurately advertise the property in question. If the property listing has no photographs and/or an unclear description, the listing could be fake, is like for lease by owner or not a reputable agency. Be wary of using sites like Gumtree or Facebook, as there is less protection for renters and subletting.
Whether you choose to rent privately or through a lettings agent, be sure to visit the property before making any decisions. If you are moving to the Melbourne from interstate or overseas and are looking to secure a property before you arrive, ask the agent for a live video call viewing or ask someone you know to visit the property on your behalf.
If the agent or landlord is making it difficult for you to view the property and wants you to move in quickly, our advice is to walk away – you could be giving away your hard-earned deposit to a fraudulent entity or a property that has underlying issues.
You can’t exactly switch estate agents as a tenant if you are in a current lease however if want a different property manager or if you know the Landlords contact details you can let them know of your experience directly.
How can I avoid having to switch estate agents in future?
Unfortunately, many of the issues listed on this page may not be apparent until your property journey is well under way, which is why it is important to do your due diligence on the estate agency in question before instructing them. Below is a list of things to look out for.
What else to look out for;
Reviews
If you’re unsure, check the company’s website and review rating on Google. Platforms like rate my agent or realestate.com are only ever the “good times”. In fact some sites you can pay to be in the “Top 50 agents”. Google Reviews are the most accurate and reliable, you will find consistency and you cant pay to remove or add false reviews.
Do you have clear communication with your estate agent?
If your enquiries are getting passed around to different agents or are not responded to that same day, it’s a sign your chosen agent is not prioritising you. Consistent contact with a single agent is vital to ensure your requirements are understood and met. At Nicole Gervasi you’ll never hear the words ‘it’s outside my area’ or ‘ill get back to you by the end of the week’ – you will have direct points of contact throughout the selling, leasing and management process.
Choose an accredited agent
Whether letting, selling, buying or renting property in Melbourne, engaging a professional, regulated and established estate agency can ensure a smooth property transaction.
Play the field
Get multiple opinions from different agents and go agent shopping to find the right fit for you.
Give them a call
Is the agent helpful and friendly, and is the information they are providing in line with their website? Do they return the initial call quickly? Do they answer the phone? Did they call you back after you went to an open or did you just receive an automated bulk text?
Is it worth changing estate agents?
Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or letting, if you are feeling frustrated or any negative emotion with your current estate agent you should absolutely consider switching to another agent. Not only does a bad estate agent cause inconvenience and stress, they could ultimately harm you financially. An estate agent you can trust and who understands your needs can make all the difference in making your property dreams a reality.
Why choose Nicole Gervasi
If you’re feeling lost and wondering what to do next, getting a second opinion from Nicole Gervasi can help bring you clarity and direction so you can make the right decision.
We believe in a ‘one Nicole Gervasi’ mindset; a combined effort from all our staff to achieve the best result possible for our clients. Excellent service is at the heart of what we do, it’s why we’ve outpaced our competitions against larger firms. Although more common now, we were the first to be an independent – since 2017. Our name is on the door, we are not hidden under a franchised agency. You come to Nicole Gervasi to be provided with straightforward, honest advice after taking the time to get to know you and your property requirements.
We are not fancy; we are practical business operators.
Don’t just take our word for it – our customers think so too.
If you’re interested in switching to Nicole Gervasi, contact our office today or a member of our team.