Masterclass 2022 - 3. Let's get the ball rolling!

Finding the right estate agent

On most people's journey to a place in the sun, finding the perfect location for your purchase is the first port of call. Yes, it is, but finding the right estate agent to help you in this quest is also very important.

This is important because their role will be a lot more comprehensive than the average UK estate agent selling to a British buyer. You will be putting a lot of trust in their hands, because the buying process will be unfamiliar and you may not speak the language.

From picking you up at the airport to driving you around areas and showing you properties and advising you on which lawyer and/or surveyor to use, you are putting a lot of faith in the agent. It is key that you find one you can trust.

First up, choose one that knows the area and is also familiar with dealing with overseas buyers. This might be an agent who is based in the local area (and can speak good English), or an international company with staff based on the ground. Some are listed here. You can search for estate agents on our website based on location or by average price of a property.

find an estate agent

Identify agents by looking at who is selling the type of property you wish to buy – you can do this by browsing the property listings on aplaceinthesun.com and by searching on agent websites. Looking at local forums or Facebook groups can be a great way to good local agents mentioned – but a little due diligence can pay off. Getting recommendations from previous buyers is also useful if you can find them.

But also trust your gut instincts as you might finding any professional service. How are treated when you first contact someone? Can you meet them face to face – remotely or in person? Are they willing to spend time listening to what you want? Why not test their local knowledge?

There are also key things you should ask them…

What to ask your estate agent

There’s an old adage that suggests it’s not what you ask, but what you don’t ask that can be key in getting to the nub of a matter (or avoiding disaster).

So right from when you first ‘interview’ your potential estate agent, apart from finding out what their fees are, it’s worth thinking about a few things.

Incidentally, you should feel able to ask them about anything – nothing should be too much trouble for an agent seeking to help you along the buying process. Download and view our tips and tricks toolkit here, so you can have them on hand whenever you need them.

Download the tips and tricks sheet

The list could go on and into more detail depending on the country and type of property you are purchasing, you can find out more information about questions you should ask your estate agent in our Buying Guides.

Download a buying guide