Estate Agents

Almost universally loathed, certainly much maligned, the estate agent has a vital role to play in the property market. They market the properties of those that want to sell them. They will advertise in newspapers, on websites, via "for sale" signs, and in their offices. They organise viewings, and accept bids on behalf of the seller. Frequently now, they vet potential purchasers to weed out timewasters. For their efforts they are rewarded with fees of up to 2% of the sale price, sometimes more.

It should at all times be remembered that the estate agent acts on behalf of the property seller.