Questions to Ask Your Estate Agent Before Selling in Birmingham or Solihull

If you're preparing to sell your home in Birmingham or Solihull, choosing the right estate agent is one of the most important steps. From accurate pricing to strong marketing and consistent communication, the agent you choose can significantly influence how quickly your property sells and at what price.

To make an informed decision, here are the key questions every seller should ask their estate agent before instructing them.

1. How Will You Value My Property?

A strong valuation is based on local data, recent sales, and insight into what buyers are currently searching for in your area. Be cautious of inflated valuations designed to win your business. At Oakmans, we base our appraisals on experience and evidence, ensuring your property enters the market at the right price to attract the right interest.

2. What Marketing Will You Use to Sell My Home?

A successful sale requires more than just listing your property online. Ask what marketing strategy your agent uses and whether it includes:

Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket
Targeted social media advertising
Professional photography, videography and drone
Virtual tours and floorplans
Property match to pre-qualified buyers

At Oakmans, we’re known for our innovative property marketing, with over 75,000 social media followers and hundreds of buyer enquiries every week.

3. What Fees Will I Pay?

Every agent has their own fee structure. Some charge a percentage of the sale price, others offer fixed fees. Make sure you know:

Whether VAT is included
If marketing is extra?
What happens if the property doesn’t sell

At Oakmans, we’re always transparent about our costs with no hidden charges and full breakdowns upfront.

4. Who Will Handle My Viewings and Offers?

Ask who will conduct your viewings and how they will keep you updated. Will you be speaking directly with your assigned agent, or passed between departments?

With Oakmans, you will have a dedicated point of contact at each stage of your sale - from the team who handle your viewings and buyer feedback, to the negotiators managing your offers, through to our expert sales progression team who work hard to get your sale through to completion. This means you will always be speaking to someone who is focused solely on their part of the process, giving you a smoother, more efficient experience from start to finish.

5. What Is Your Track Record in My Area?

If you're selling in Harborne, Selly Oak, Solihull, Northfield or Bromsgrove, it’s vital that your agent understands the local market. Ask for recent examples of similar homes they’ve sold in your postcode.

Oakmans is proud to be Rightmove’s No.1 agent across many Birmingham postcodes, with over 1,300 five-star reviews and 10,000+ properties sold or let.

6. How Will You Keep Me Updated?

Regular communication makes the selling process far less stressful. Ask how often you’ll hear from your agent and how they’ll provide updates - by email, phone or face-to-face.

At Oakmans, we provide weekly updates as standard and offer in-house sales progression, so you’re kept informed from valuation to completion.

7. Do I Have to Use Your Recommended Solicitor?

Many sellers ask whether they need to use the solicitor recommended by their estate agent. The short answer: no, it’s not required but there are benefits.

Our recommended solicitors are trusted partners who understand our systems and timeframes. This often means fewer delays, better communication, and smoother sales. Still, you're free to use your own - and we’ll work with them just as efficiently.

Selling in Birmingham,Solihull or Bromsgrove? Ask Oakmans

Whether you’re selling in Selly Oak, Shirley, Solihull, Northfield or Harborne, Oakmans offers:

Local expertise and market-leading results
Award-winning customer service
Proven marketing strategies that get homes sold fast
Clear advice and no-pressure guidance at every stage

Click here to book your free valuation with one of our experts today.

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