Selling yourself or through an estate agent?

Many private individuals choose to sell their property directly on online platforms such as Immoweb, Immovlan or Zimmo, either to save on agency and notary fees, or out of distrust of certain practices. However, it's not easy to sell quickly and at the best price between private individuals.

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According to an Immoweb study, 38% of individuals who sell on their own fail to complete their sales project. With a real estate agency, you increase your chances, but that's not the only advantage...

Why is selling between private individuals so difficult?

Real estate negotiation is a profession in its own right. You need to be able to set the selling price of a property with its own particularities in a constantly evolving market, identify the best buyer profiles (portfolio, motivation, financing), anticipate potential problems before and during the sale (co-ownership issues, works, diagnostics, administrative aspects, buyers who fail to obtain a loan) and put in place the best marketing strategy to sell quickly and at the best price.

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If one of these aspects is poorly managed (inappropriate sale price, ineffective negotiation, choice of a buyer without financing), this can have harmful consequences on the sale: delay, lower price, no buyer. This is why many sellers who had initially chosen to sell on their own end up using a real estate agency.

What are the risks of selling a property without an agency?

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Getting the appraisal wrong: Getting the appraisal wrong can cost you dearly. And when you know how important this step is, it's best not to make any mistakes. Imagine setting your price too high in relation to the market: it could take months before you sell your property. What's more, since there's bound to be an emotional connection with this sale - it is, after all, your home - a price reduction will be hard to swallow. On the other hand, if you set the price too low, you'll obviously lose money. Your property will be gone very quickly, and you'll be disappointed not to have sold it at its fair value.
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Forgetting legal documents: Legislation changes all the time, and it's difficult to keep abreast of all the legal obligations you have to meet when selling a property. What's more, in the event of a breach or missing document during the transaction, you may not only have to pay a fine or, more annoyingly, block a potential sale. In fact, it usually takes a long time to obtain these papers, and an interested buyer could find another home in the meantime.

Underestimating the time it takes: writing an ad, answering the phone and e-mails, organizing viewings... all this takes a lot of energy. What's more, you may not have the right equipment (camera, video, virtual tours) to showcase the property on sales platforms.
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But do you have to use a real estate agency to be sure of selling? Not necessarily, but if you want to avoid many pitfalls and put all the chances on your side, it's wiser to entrust the sale of your apartment or house to a real estate agency. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to cost you tens of thousands of euros.

Entrust the sale of your property to a real estate agency

Many people are reluctant to use the services of a real estate agency or professional because of concerns such as high fees, lack of follow-up or non-transparent practices.

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However, it's important to emphasize that real estate agencies can be extremely effective. So how do you choose the right agency to help you sell your property? How to recognize a quality real estate agency?

Comprehensive support

Before signing a mandate to sell, make sure the agency offers you a comprehensive service that will enable you to sell quickly and efficiently. This includes a free valuation by an expert in your own home, the enhancement of your listing with essential elements such as professional photos, a floor plan and a virtual visit, strategic and administrative support right up to signing at the notary's, and digital tools to help you follow every stage of the sale.

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At BrickSquare, we take care of the entire sale of your property at a fixed rate.

Total transparency

The best real estate agencies stand out for their transparency, especially when it comes to commissions and working methods. You should demand clear and precise answers from agencies about their fees and their justification, as well as about their methods (communication with you, selection of buyers, etc.).

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A good agency will also be transparent about the selling price it proposes. If a real estate agency suggests you set a very high price and add its commission to the buyer's bill, it's highly likely that you'll have to lower it in the weeks to come, wasting time and devaluing your property.

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At BrickSquare, we take care of 100% of the sale of your property (including viewings) for a fixed fee that's much more attractive than a percentage commission.

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Selling through a real estate agency is the surest way to sell quickly and at the best price. Concentrate your efforts on choosing the right agency, and don't hesitate to ask all the necessary questions before committing yourself. Finally, remember that you no longer need to spend tens of thousands of euros on fees, and that BrickSquare offers a support package starting at €2,950 excluding VAT.