Make sure that your estate agent is registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board before dealing with him or her.

There are a number of benefits of dealing with an estate agent:

- the estate agent is a specialist in the property market and works in your neighbourhood. They are therefore in an excellent position to assist you with the pricing of your home.
- you don't have to advertise your property nor look for buyers - they estate agent will do all of that for you.
- the estate agent will liaise with buyers and you only need to get involved later in the process.

Remember to establish what commission will be paid to the estate agent when your property is sold. The norm is about 7% but this percentage is usually negotiable.