Colchester is a town in Essex, England that is reputed to be the oldest town in the country. A settlement has been on the site since pre Roman times although it was the Roman occupation that saw Colchester become a dominant fortress and major town. Colchester was selected for its elevation over the surrounding countryside, allowing for subjugation of local peoples and the excellent links to the sea along the River Colne.

Today, the benefits of living in Colchester are still evident, many property buyers wish to move t the town and as a result estate agent numbers in the town are large. But how can those selling and buying property in Colchester make the most of estate agent services? Hopefully the following information will answer this question.

The first and most important function of an estate agent is to look around the property and then devise a realistic asking price. This process will require an assessment of the state of the property taking into account the general quality and any maintenance issues. In addition the agent will compare the property to similar properties in the area that have recently been sold, this allows them to make direct comparisons whilst also factoring in the current property market situation. When arriving at an asking price however, consultation should be made with the homeowner, ultimately it is their investment and hence they should have a large say in what it should sell for. At this stage it can also be advisable to utilise many different agents, as then an average figure can be reached.

After arriving at an asking price comes the next most important function of an estate agent. This is to market the property effectively. This process however is a two step methodology that not only requires a keen eye for advertising but also a conscientious approach to publicising. The first step is to compile a profile of the property; to do this the estate agent must take a decent number of photos to present the house or flat in the best light possible, in addition when compiling the profile some literature must added, the agent should write this literature so it gives full details of the property whilst also highlighting its most attractive assets.

The second step is marketing and publicising the property. This is usually performed through a number of different mediums. With so many agents in Colchester the power of the shop window advertisement should not be underestimated; with large numbers of people passing through the town it can be a great way to attract attention from buyers. Another form of advertising is to use the Colchester local papers; this is the best way to reach a regional audience who may be looking for properties. For a more far reaching solution however the internet should be used, there are now many property portals on the web and these are a great way to reach a national even international audience; additionally, if signed up with a large agency, they may utilise their own website to market properties.

The final responsibility of the agent to be discussed here is the management of viewings. This is a vital element in the property selling process and the agent employed should be able to push a property without becoming too imposing. It should be possible to assess the agent's technique through a detailed interview process but for those who are unsure, sitting in on a viewing can be helpful. In addition to this role, the estate agent should communicate with the homeowner whenever a viewing has taken place, giving feedback and where necessary giving ideas of how the property could be made more appealing to prospective buyers.

Hopefully this article has given those buying and selling property in Colchester a better understanding of the responsibilities that an estate agent should perform. This advice not only applies to property in Colchester but more widely, it is intended that with it, the homeowner should be able to make the most out of estate agency services.