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🏡 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Estate Agent
Choosing the right estate agent can make the difference between a smooth, profitable sale – or a frustrating experience that drags on for weeks. But with so many agents out there, how do you know who’s the right fit?
Here are five key questions every seller should ask before instructing an agent – and how the answers can reveal a lot more than you might expect.
1. How did you arrive at your valuation?
A good agent will explain their price recommendation using comparative evidence – recent sales of similar homes nearby, buyer demand, and current market conditions.
🚩 Red flag: If the agent can’t back up their number, or gives a noticeably higher figure than others without reason, they may be overvaluing your home to win your instruction.
✅ At Collyers, we offer free, evidence-based valuations and always talk through how we reached our figure – no guesswork or games.
2. What’s your contract length and notice period?
Some agents will lock sellers into long contracts of 12, 16, or even 20 weeks – regardless of performance. This can leave you stuck if things don’t go to plan.
🚩 Red flag: An agent who insists on a long tie-in might not be confident in their ability to sell quickly.
✅ At Collyers, we offer flexible agreements because we believe our results should speak for themselves.
3. How will you market my property – and where?
It’s 2025. If your home isn’t getting high-quality photos, floorplans, portals like Rightmove and Zoopla, social media exposure, and agent-led viewings – it’s not being marketed properly.
🚩 Red flag: Vague or basic marketing plans suggest your property won’t stand out.
✅ We invest in top-tier marketing and local targeting – giving your home the attention it deserves.
4. Do you have local knowledge and recent results in my area?
Selling in North Devon isn’t the same as selling in a big city. You want an agent who knows the villages, local schools, commuting times, broadband black spots – and what local buyers are really looking for.
🚩 Red flag: If they can’t name nearby streets or recent sales, they’re not as local as they claim.
✅ As a Barnstaple-based team, we’ve sold across Bideford, Ilfracombe, Braunton, South Molton, and Torrington – and we live and work here too.
5. What will you do if things aren’t working?
Sometimes a price tweak or updated marketing is needed. A good agent won’t just sit back and wait – they’ll act quickly and communicate clearly.
🚩 Red flag: If their answer is vague, they may not be proactive.
✅ We believe in honesty, flexibility and fast action – and we keep you updated every step of the way.
💬 Still Deciding Who to Sell With?
Before you commit to a long-term contract, let’s talk.
We’ll offer a free, no-obligation valuation and answer any questions – no pushy sales talk, just honest advice.
👉 Book a Free Valuation
👉 Explore Our Sales Services
Collyers Estate Agents – Trusted Locals. Award-Winning Service.
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🏡 Renters Reform Bill: What Landlords and Letting Agents Need to Know in 2025
The government’s long-awaited Renters Reform Bill continues to move through Parliament, and while some proposals have been delayed, significant changes are still on the horizon.
For landlords and letting agents in North Devon and across the UK, this means preparing for what’s coming – and understanding how it may reshape how we let and manage rental property.
Here’s a clear, jargon-free summary of what’s happening – and what to do next.
⚖️ Quick Recap: What Is the Renters Reform Bill?
First proposed in 2019 and introduced to Parliament in May 2023, the Bill is part of the government’s plan to “create a fairer private rented sector.”
The headline changes include:
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Abolishing Section 21 (‘no fault’ evictions)
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Creating a single system of periodic tenancies
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Stronger rules around housing quality and safety
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Greater protections for tenants with pets
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A new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman
While the intention is to improve security and standards for tenants, it also brings more complexity and compliance pressure for landlords.
📢 What’s the Latest in 2025?
As of mid-July 2025, here’s the current position:
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The Section 21 ban is still planned, but the government has committed to ensuring court reforms are in place first – no fixed date yet.
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Fixed-term tenancies are set to be phased out, replaced by periodic tenancies that can be ended by tenants with two months’ notice at any time.
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Landlords will only be able to end a tenancy using specific grounds, such as selling the property or dealing with serious rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
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Landlords will need to register with a new digital Property Portal (still in development).
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The Decent Homes Standard is due to be applied to the private sector, with clarity expected later this year.
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A Private Rented Ombudsman will handle complaints and disputes, offering a quicker alternative to the courts.
🧠 What Should Landlords Do Now?
Even if timelines are shifting, it’s essential to get your portfolio “reform-ready”. Here’s how:
✅ Review your current tenancy agreements – especially any fixed-term clauses.
✅ Ensure your documentation is watertight – including deposit protection, EPC, gas safety, and EICR compliance.
✅ Stay on top of maintenance – housing standards will become stricter.
✅ Consider moving to a letting agent who actively monitors compliance and regulation.
✅ Be aware of your eviction rights – they’re changing.
👋 How Collyers Can Help
As a British Property Award-winning agent, we’re already helping landlords across Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Torrington, South Molton and Braunton prepare for the upcoming changes.
We offer:
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Full management that keeps you compliant
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Guidance through evictions and rent arrears
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Help transitioning to periodic tenancies
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Peace of mind that you're protected as the rules evolve
If you're self-managing or unsure where you stand, we also offer a free Landlord Clinic – 30–60 minutes of advice with no obligation.
📞 Let’s Keep You Compliant
Don’t wait for the reforms to land. Let’s get ahead of them.
👉 Book a Landlord Clinic Appointment
👉 Visit Our Lettings Page
Collyers – Local Experts. Trusted Advice. Lettings Done Right.
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Don’t dismiss a property too quickly. Collyers explains why viewing homes you’ve overlooked on Rightmove could lead to finding your perfect place.
We all do it. Scroll through Rightmove, see a kitchen you don’t like, or a floorplan that doesn’t quite work – and immediately dismiss a property.
But what if you’re missing the perfect home?
At Collyers, we’ve seen it time and time again: buyers convinced a home “wasn’t for them” based on the photos alone… only to walk through the door and feel completely different.
And it’s not just them – we’ve done it ourselves.
“I always thought I didn’t like prawns – until I tried them. Now they’re one of my favourites. Properties can be the same: they surprise you once you give them a chance.”
🤔 Photos Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Some homes just don’t photograph well. Maybe the lighting isn’t right. Maybe the space is hard to capture. Or maybe the charm is in the way it feels, not how it looks on a screen.
You can’t always experience that from a floorplan or a photo slideshow – but you absolutely can the moment you walk through the door.
🧭 Letting Agents Guide You Isn’t About Pressure – It’s About Potential
We’ll never push you to view something irrelevant. But if we suggest a property you’ve overlooked, it’s usually because:
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We’ve listened carefully to your priorities
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We know how it compares to others in the same bracket
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We understand which homes feel better in person than they look online
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We often know about upcoming changes or improvements the photos don’t reflect
We do this every day – and our local knowledge goes deeper than just search filters.
💬 “I Would’ve Never Booked This One – But It’s Perfect”
Some of our happiest buyers almost missed out. From quirky layouts to dated décor, the very things that put them off were the things they ended up loving – or changing with ease.
We always say: keep your must-haves in mind, but don’t be afraid to view with an open mind. After all, if it’s not for you – you’ll know in 10 minutes. But if it is for you, you’ll be glad you didn’t scroll past.
📍 Let’s Find Your Favourite (Even If You Don’t Know It Yet)
Whether you’re looking in Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Ilfracombe, South Molton, or Torrington – we’re here to help you see the real potential in every viewing.
👉 See Our Latest Listings
👉 Book a Free Buyer Consultation
Collyers Estate Agents – local knowledge, honest advice, and homes worth seeing.
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Introduction
A recent BBC Panorama investigation has shone a harsh spotlight on some of the UK’s biggest estate agents – including Connells and Purplebricks – for allegedly prioritising profits over their clients' best interests.
From favouring buyers who use in-house mortgage services to inflating valuations just to win instructions, these tactics could cost sellers thousands in lost value or mismanaged sales.
At Collyers, we believe in doing things differently – and transparently.
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Expert guidance for self-managing landlords and those facing issues with other agents
Letting a property isn’t as simple as it used to be. With ever-changing legislation, rising compliance demands, and tenant expectations higher than ever, even experienced landlords can feel overwhelmed.
That’s exactly why we created the Collyers Landlord Clinic – a free, no-obligation service designed to support landlords across Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, South Molton, Torrington and beyond.
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Your guide to seasonal selling – and why now might be the perfect time to make your move
If you're thinking about selling your home in Barnstaple, Bideford, South Molton, or anywhere across North Devon, summer might just be the sweet spot.
With longer days, better weather, and a buzz of local activity, summer often brings out serious buyers – and we’re already seeing increased interest across the region.
Here’s why summer could be your ideal selling season – and how local events can even play a role in helping your home get noticed.
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A 2025 Guide for Landlords Across North Devon
Setting the right rent can feel like a guessing game – but in today’s market, getting it wrong could cost you. Charge too much, and you risk long void periods. Too little, and you’re leaving money on the table.
If you're a landlord in Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, South Molton, Ilfracombe or Torrington, here’s how to work out what you should be charging in 2025 – and why a little strategy goes a long way.
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What sellers need to know when an agent makes this claim
It’s a line many homeowners hear during a valuation:
“I’ve got someone on my books who would love this house.”
It sounds promising – even exciting – especially if you’re keen to sell. But in many cases, this is less about a serious buyer… and more about getting you to sign a long-term contract with the agent.
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In today’s property market, an accurate valuation is more important than ever. But not all agents play fair.
If you’ve ever had three estate agents give wildly different prices for your home, you’re not alone. Some agents deliberately overvalue just to win your instruction – and tie you into a long contract (often 12 to 16 weeks). It might sound flattering at first… but it can end up costing you time, money, and serious buyer interest.
At Collyers, we believe in honest, evidence-based pricing – and here’s why that matters.
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Whether you're thinking about selling, letting, or just curious – knowing the value of your property is a smart move. But how is a valuation actually worked out? And why does it matter so much?
At Collyers, we carry out valuations across North Devon every week – and while every home is different, the principles behind a professional valuation stay the same. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the process.
