Why Negotiation Isn’t Just About Fees – It’s About Getting the Best Result for Your Home Sale
When it comes to selling your home, negotiation plays a far bigger role than many people realise. It's not just a matter of haggling over price like you might at a market stall but rather a skillful process that can make a real difference in the final result of your sale. That’s why professional guidance matters so much.
Before you get to the negotiating table, there is a crucial step that sets the tone for your whole journey : The Valuation
The Valuation Stage – More Than Just a Number
It’s common to invite multiple estate agents to value your home. During these appointments, they’ll not only give you their opinion on what your property could achieve on the market, but also explain the services they offer and provide a breakdown of their fees.
At this stage, some sellers feel the cost of selling their home is already adding up. Most estate agents charge a percentage of the final sale price, which means the exact fee won’t be known until the sale completes.
That’s when the idea of negotiating the agent’s fee might start to feel tempting. Some homeowners ask for discounts or reductions right from the start and sometimes, agents oblige, especially when they're keen to win the instruction. But sometimes this is not the right moment to haggle.
Fee Negotiation Doesn’t Reflect Negotiation Skills
There’s a common misconception that if an agent agrees to lower their own fee, they may not be strong negotiators when it comes to securing offers on your home. But the truth is, their willingness to adjust fees has nothing to do with how skilled they are at negotiating property sales.
In fact, negotiating their own business income is an entirely different scenario from securing the best possible sale price for your most valuable asset.
Price vs. Value – Choose the Right Agent, Not the Cheapest
Your home is likely the most valuable investment you’ll ever make. If you were managing a portfolio of stocks or financial assets, would you hand them over to the cheapest advisor you could find? Probably not.
The same principle applies to choosing an estate agent. While saving a quarter of a percentage point might sound appealing in the moment, it’s unlikely to make a significant difference once the sale is complete. However, choosing the wrong agent could end up costing you far more than you save.
Here's what you risk by going with a cheaper option:
- Lower sale price – Budget agents may cut corners on marketing, presentation, and strategy.
- Longer time on the market – High-volume agents often don’t have the capacity to give your property the attention it deserves.
- More stress during the sale – You may find communication and progress lacking due to stretched resources.
Working Together for the Best Outcome
When you choose an estate agent, you’re not just hiring someone to list your property. You're entering a partnership that could last several months. Starting that relationship on a negotiation about fees could set the wrong tone. Instead, look at what the agent brings to the table:
- Do they know your local market inside and out?
- Will they provide professional marketing and photography?
- Are they proactive in finding buyers and giving feedback?
- Do they have a track record of negotiating strong offers?
At Property Connections, we pride ourselves on delivering value, not just a service. We’re not here to race to the bottom on fees, we’re here to help you achieve the best outcome for your sale. That means honest advice, strategic marketing, and skilled negotiation, every step of the way.
Ready to Sell? Start with Confidence
If you’re getting ready to book valuations, we encourage you to compare more than just the numbers. Look at the experience, commitment, and support each agent offers. The right estate agent may cost a little more but they can help you achieve a lot more, too.
📞 Contact Property Connections today for expert advice, local knowledge, and a team that puts your goals first.
Call us: 01506 650 550
Email us: info@propertyconnections.uk.com
Visit us: 80 North Bridge Street, Bathgate EH48 4PN