Advice for sellers
How to choose an estate agent, without the guesswork.
The highest valuation isn't the best one.
Some agents suggest a high price to win your home, knowing they can ask you to reduce it later. By then your home has been on the market for weeks, and buyers have noticed. The agent worth choosing is the one whose price is backed by real sales nearby, and who can show you them.
Before any valuation, look up what homes on your street actually sold for. Every area guide lists real sale prices from HM Land Registry, street by street.
What agents charge
Three ways to pay.
High street, sole agency
The usual arrangement: one agent, paid a percentage of the sale price when the sale completes, and nothing if it doesn't sell. Typically about 1.2% to 1.8% of the price including VAT, with the UK average around 1.4%.
High street, multi-agency
Several agents at once, and whoever finds the buyer is paid. Because each agent might earn nothing, the rate is higher, often 2.5% to 3.6% including VAT. It can look desperate to buyers if the same house appears with three different agents.
Online and hybrid agents
A fixed fee, often around £1,000 to £2,000. Check whether you pay it upfront or on completion, and whether it's due even if your home never sells. Ask who will do the viewings and who will chase the sale after an offer.
On a typical home here
A high street sole agency fee at 1.2% and 1.8% including VAT, on each area's typical sale price (July 2025 to June 2026).
| Area | Typical price | At 1.2% | At 1.8% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield | £197,500 | £2,370 | £3,555 |
| Walton | £297,500 | £3,570 | £5,355 |
| Wingerworth | £282,000 | £3,384 | £5,076 |
| Matlock | £279,375 | £3,353 | £5,029 |
| Bakewell | £365,000 | £4,380 | £6,570 |
Fee levels checked October 2026. Fees are negotiable, and a cheaper agent who sells for less can cost you more. Typical prices contain HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Read the contract
The words that cost money.
By law, an agent who uses these terms has to explain what they mean. Make sure you understand them before you sign.
- Sole agency
- You pay this agent if they, or anyone else, sells to a buyer during the agreed period, but not if you find the buyer yourself.
- Sole selling rights
- You pay this agent if the home sells during the agreed period, even if you found the buyer yourself. Avoid it if you can.
- Ready, willing and able purchaser
- You owe the fee once the agent finds a buyer who's ready to exchange contracts, even if you then change your mind and don't sell. Avoid it if you can.
- Tie-in period
- How long you're committed before you can switch agent, often 8 to 16 weeks, sometimes with written notice on top. Shorter is better for you.
- Withdrawal or marketing charges
- Fees for photos, floorplans, a board or listing on the portals if you withdraw. Ask for every possible charge in writing.
This is general information, not legal advice. If in doubt, ask a solicitor to read the contract.
At the valuation
Eight questions to ask
- 1Which homes like mine have you sold nearby in the last year, and what did they actually sell for?
- 2How did you reach this price? Show me the sales it's based on.
- 3How many of your homes for sale have had a price cut?
- 4Who will do the viewings, and are evenings and weekends covered?
- 5Which property portals will my home be on?
- 6Do you use professional photos, a floorplan and a video tour?
- 7Who chases the solicitors after an offer, and how often will I hear from you?
- 8What's the fee, what's the tie-in period, and what would I owe if I left early?
The basics
Any agent you choose should
- They belong to a government-approved redress scheme, The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. It's a legal requirement, and it's where you'd complain if things went wrong.
- They give you their terms and fees in writing before you agree to anything.
- They pass on every offer to you promptly, in writing.
- They tell you upfront about anything that affects the price, such as a flood risk, a short lease or missing building regulations sign-off. Trading Standards guidance requires this 'material information' on listings.
- They're registered with HMRC for anti-money-laundering checks, and they'll check your ID too.
New to selling? Start with selling your home, step by step. Already on the market and not selling? Read why homes don't sell before you switch.
Quick answers
- How much do estate agents charge in Chesterfield?
- High street agents usually charge about 1.2% to 1.8% of the sale price including VAT on a sole agency basis. On a £197,500 home, Chesterfield's typical price, that's roughly £2,370 to £3,555. Online agents charge a fixed fee, often £1,000 to £2,000.
- Should I choose the agent with the highest valuation?
- No. Some agents suggest a high price to win your business, then ask for reductions later. Choose the agent whose price is backed by real sales nearby, and who can show you them.
- How many estate agents should value my home?
- Three is usual. It gives you a sense of the right price and the fees, and lets you compare how each agent would market your home.
- Can I change estate agent if my house isn't selling?
- Yes, once your tie-in period ends and you've given any notice your contract requires. Check whether you'd still owe your first agent a fee if a buyer they introduced later buys.
Before the valuation
What did homes on your street sell for?
Check the real sale prices first, so you know which valuation stands up.
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