People sometimes expect estate agents to be able to fix things entirely outside of their control. That certainly doesn’t mean agents don’t try to help — in reality, good agents spend a huge amount of time working behind the scenes to keep transactions moving.
However, understanding where an estate agent’s influence ends is equally as important as understanding the value a great agent genuinely brings to the process. Here are five things people often mistakenly expect from estate agents during the buying and selling process.
5 Things You SHOULD Expect From Your Estate Agent
Whilst there are certain things estate agents simply cannot control, there are also standards and levels of service that every seller and buyer should absolutely expect from the company representing them.
At Acres, we strongly believe clients deserve proactive communication, honest advice and genuine commitment from start to finish. Here are five things you absolutely should expect from your estate agent.
1. Proactive Communication
One of the biggest frustrations for buyers and sellers is feeling left in the dark. You should expect your estate agent to communicate regularly, respond promptly and keep you updated throughout every stage of the transaction.
At Acres, we believe communication is one of the single most important parts of our role. Even where there is little movement, clients should still feel informed, reassured and supported. A good estate agent does not wait for problems to escalate before picking up the phone.
2. Honest And Professional Advice
A strong estate agent should always provide realistic, evidence-based advice rather than simply telling clients what they want to hear.
That includes:
• Honest pricing guidance
• Feedback following viewings
• Advice on market conditions
• Recommendations to improve marketing
• Strategic negotiation guidance
At Acres, our long-standing experience across Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Walmley and Great Barr allows us to provide local advice built around genuine market knowledge and buyer behaviour.
3. High Quality Marketing
You should expect your property to be professionally presented and marketed to the highest possible standard. Professional photography, strong wording, premium online exposure, social media marketing and proactive buyer matching all play a huge role in generating interest and securing offers.
At Acres, we invest heavily in marketing because first impressions matter enormously in today’s market. We believe properties deserve more than simply being uploaded online and left to sit.
4. Strong Sales Progression
The real work often begins once a sale has been agreed. You should expect your estate agent to actively progress the transaction, liaise with solicitors and mortgage brokers, chase updates and help keep momentum moving all the way through to completion.
At Acres, sales progression forms a major part of our service because agreed sales only truly matter once clients have successfully moved.Behind every completed transaction is usually a huge amount of unseen work.
5. Genuine Care And Commitment
Moving home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people ever make. You should therefore expect your estate agent to genuinely care about achieving the best possible outcome for you.At Acres, as a long-established family-owned independent estate agency, we pride ourselves on offering a bespoke and personal service focused entirely around our clients’ best interests.
Things You SHOULDN'T Expect From Your Estate Agent
1. They Can’t Speed Up Solicitors Or Conveyancers
Estate agents spend a huge amount of time chasing solicitors, passing on messages and trying to keep transactions moving. However, they cannot physically speed up legal work, force searches to come back quicker or push cases to the front of a solicitor’s workload.
Delays can occur for many reasons including local authority backlogs, mortgage lender requirements, enquiries and compliance checks.A good estate agent will identify problems early, keep communication flowing and maintain pressure wherever possible, but ultimately solicitors operate to their own timescales.
2. They Can’t Guarantee Completion Dates
Until contracts are formally exchanged, no completion date is legally binding. Many buyers and sellers understandably assume dates can simply be agreed and fixed early in the process. However, chains, surveys, mortgage delays and legal issues can all cause dates to move unexpectedly.
Estate agents can help coordinate timings and keep parties aligned, but they cannot absolutely guarantee completion dates before exchange of contracts. This is particularly true where longer property chains are involved.
3. They Can’t Make An Unrealistic Price Work
Estate agents can advise, guide and recommend pricing strategies, but ultimately buyers determine market value. If a property is overpriced, it can sit on the market too long, lose momentum and sometimes sell for less than if it had been priced correctly from the outset.
A professional estate agent should always provide honest, evidence-based advice, even when that conversation is difficult. The reality is that no estate agent can force buyers to pay more than they believe a property is worth.
4. They Can’t Stop Buyers Or Sellers Changing Their Minds
Property transactions are emotional and circumstances can change quickly. Buyers may become nervous after surveys, sellers may reconsider moving, or financial situations may alter unexpectedly. Until exchange of contracts, either side can legally withdraw from the transaction.
Good estate agents work extremely hard behind the scenes to keep deals together, maintain communication and solve problems, but they cannot legally prevent someone from changing their mind.
5. They Do Far More Than Simply Listing Property Online
Many people assume estate agency simply involves uploading photographs online and arranging viewings. In reality, much of the work happens behind the scenes after a buyer has been found.
Negotiating offers, progressing sales, coordinating chains, handling difficult conversations, chasing solicitors, managing expectations and solving problems are all major parts of a modern estate agent’s role. The best estate agents are not simply salespeople — they are deal managers, communicators and problem solvers.
For us, estate agency is not simply about selling houses. It is about building trust, delivering results and guiding clients professionally through every stage of the moving process. Because ultimately, great estate agents do far more than just market property — they help people move forward with confidence.
The initial inspiration and some supporting details for the “5 things you shouldn’t expect from your estate agent” section were based on an article and industry commentary originally featured by Rightmove 20.6.26, adapted and expanded with additional local insight and commentary from Acres Estate Agents.
Are you thinking of selling your property and want to check how much your home is worth? You can get an Instant Valuation here.
If you would like to discuss selling your home, please get in touch with us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call any of our busy, helpful teams/offices:
Four Oaks 0121 323 3088
Sutton Coldfield 0121 321 2101
Walmley 0121 313 2888
Great Barr 0121 358 6222
Lettings 0121 312 4997
Thank you for reading this article, and your interest in Acres and our property for sale.
Nigel & Jayne Deekes – Acres Partners
Acres; proud to be family owned, managed, run and to have been serving the North Birmingham community for 33 years.
