Independent vs National Estate Agents

Independent vs national estate agents: what’s the difference?

If you’re selling your property, what kind of estate agent should you choose? An independent that has a single branch, and only sells properties in your town or village, or a well-known national brand with multiple branches across the country?

What is the difference between independent and national estate agents?

What is an independent estate agent?

An independent estate agent is a privately owned business that is not part of a national or regional chain, and may have just a handful of branches based in a local area. They may have long established ties to a town or city, or specialise in a particular type of property.

What are the benefits of using an independent estate agent?

• Personalised service – you are likely to deal with the same member of staff throughout the house buying process, helping to build trust and a strong relationship
• Local knowledge – an estate agent with deep roots in a particular area will have detailed knowledge of the local property market, bringing expert insight and advice
• Reputation-driven – an independent agent is more likely to be motivated by word-of-mouth recommendations, increasing the importance of positive customer experiences

What are the potential drawbacks of an independent estate agent?

• Reduced marketing budget – a more local agent may not be able to afford to promote properties to the same extent as a national estate agent
• Smaller customer database – independents will have fewer potential buyers to contact and less outside its local area
• Fewer staff – there will be less negotiators available to conduct viewings

What is a national estate agent?

A national estate agent combines local expertise with the resources of a wider organisation. With branches right across the country, a national agent benefits from shared technology and marketing resources, while staff at individual branches can still demonstrate significant local knowledge.

What are the benefits of using a national estate agent?

• Significant marketing spend – a national estate agent has much higher budgets for digital and traditional marketing
• Brand recognition – buyers may be more comfortable viewing properties represented by established brands
• Access to more buyers – larger organisations will have a nationwide database of customers ready to contact
• Local knowledge – branches will still be able to draw upon the experience of staff who know their local property market well

Are there any drawbacks to using a national estate agent?

• Potential of less personal service – some customers may feel like they receive a more impersonal service from larger organisations, but this isn’t always the case
• More rigid fee structure – negotiating a reduced commission fee may be harder with a national estate agent, who may have less flexibility to change prices

Do national estate agents still have local knowledge?

Yes, in fact there is probably little difference between the local knowledge of a property professional at a national agent than at an independent one. They will still have a deep understanding of the local property market, know what buyers are looking for and how the market is performing. A local branch of a national agent is likely to benefit from the shared knowledge of a higher number of staff.

Can a national estate agent reach more potential buyers?

Yes – a national agent is supported by a larger branch network and will have access to a nationwide customer database. They will also be able to spend more on digital marketing, so will have a greater ability to reach buyers through advertising on major property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla. A buyer who lives in a different part of the country will recognise a national agent’s brand and may be more likely to see one of its properties online.

Does your choice of estate agent affect your selling price?

Not necessarily, as every property is different. There are numerous factors that can affect the price at which a property finally sells.

However, a very good estate agent will be able to market the property effectively, price it accurately, find the right buyers and have the capacity to generate greater interest in the property. This is likely to lead to more viewings and the possibility of higher offers than a property that is in the hands of a less capable estate agent. They may also be better negotiators, and be able to secure a higher selling price.

Independent or national estate agent: which is right for you?

A smaller independent agent may suit you if…

• You value a highly personalised service
• You're selling in a very local market
• You prefer working with people and a business well known locally
• Community relationships are important to you

A national estate agent may suit you if…

• You want your property to be seen by as many buyers as possible
• You value the combination of local expertise and national support
• You want access to wider marketing resources and a range of digital tools
• You're looking for an established brand with extensive experience across different property markets

Why choose haart to sell your home?

At haart, you benefit from the best of both worlds: experienced property professionals who understand their local area, backed by one of the UK's largest estate agency networks.

Staff at our branches combine in-depth local market knowledge with innovative marketing tools, a wide-reaching buyer database and dedicated support throughout your sale.

Contact your local branch and let us help you with your next move

If you’re thinking of selling and want to know how much your property is worth, please get in touch with us and we will provide a free property valuation for you.