Almost half of agents inaccurately value properties, claims allAgents

allAgents says that a worryingly high number of estate agents are inaccurately valuing properties.

The reviews site has undertaken research that it claims shows that almost half of agents are getting the price of the homes they value wrong.

According to the study, only 55% of estate agents in the UK are accurately valuing properties. These findings are based on allAgents own valuation accuracy statistics that are collected during the customer review process.

Director Martin McKenzie said “It is well recognised that in-person valuations are more accurate than an AVM (Automated Valuation Model) tool. However, as our research has found, finding those agents is not as easy as we thought.

“Anyone watching programmes like Homes Under the Hammer will note that some of the local agents’ estimations can differ considerably. So, it is not surprising that sometimes vendors have difficulty choosing an estate agent and they may be
swayed by attractive valuation offers.

“For a long time now, we have been asking reviewers if their agents’ valuations had been accurate.These answers are defaulted to yes, so the percentage only drops if they change to No.

“On our website, we now provide a printable summary report of agents’ overall performance and valuation accuracy, which can be presented to potential clients giving them further confidence on the advice given. Agents are welcome to utilise the summaries of their competitors as a comparison tool. We believe this will not only help to improve the sector but will assist in wiping out unscrupulous or incompetent practices and will aid the best agents to win business.”

 

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10 Comments

  1. comment75

    We have an agent in our area that is well known for over valuing. Very annoying

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    1. A W

      Everyone does it, especially the big corporates overvalue properties in order to win business. Then they lower the price to what everyone else estimated it for once they can’t shift it.

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      1. jan-byers

        Not just corporates

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  2. If Carlsberg made Estate Agents…

    ‘Throw enough muck and hope some of it sticks’, seems to be the mantra of most corporates!

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  3. Gangsta Agent

    And it takes all Agents who ever the f… they are to tell us what every good agent already knows, another piece of rubbish from a wannabe estate agent

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    1. jan-byers

      They have never said they wants to be an agent

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  4. Property Ear

    My firm doesn’t provide ‘Valuations’, that’s the role of professional valuers. We provide open market appraisals and then, having consulted our vendor clients, set asking prices.
    allAgents haven’t got a clue and, as far as we’re concerned, are a nuisance and surplus to requirements.

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    1. Diogenes

      With respect, whilst correct, it’s a moot point as most valuers ask local agents for comparables upon which the market appraisal is based.

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  5. Diogenes

    I don’t know how all agents are privy to the advice we give vendors.

    A neighbour had a valuation of £625k, but wanted to ‘test the market’ at £40k higher. The price will be reduced, but it certainly wasn’t an inaccurate market appraisal.

    No agent would decline an instruction with a potential £8k fee and will respect the sellers wishes. We all know what happens when you sell a property quickly – vendors often claim it must have been too cheap.

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    1. biffabear

      That difference can be £100k in SE London.

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