Amazing 91% of public back estate agents

An overwhelming 91 per cent of the public have given their backing to the service of estate agents in a poll conducted by Agents Giving.

The vast majority, 91 per cent, of home owners describe their experience with estate agents as ‘excellent’, ‘good’ or ‘average’ in the poll of 822 people conducted in November and December.

Only nine per cent had a ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ experience. Some 23 per cent of respondents said they believed agents acted in their own best interest - although this did not preclude giving good service. 

The survey revealed that the prickly subject of commission charged by agents is also misconceived. Some 21 per cent of respondents believed agent commission to be 5.0 per cent when in fact it is on average 1.8 per cent, says Agents Giving.

When it comes to charitable giving, 92 per cent of people surveyed believed that agents donated less than £10m in 2013, where in reality the amount donated was over £13m. On average, people believed agents donated only £3.7m to charity in that year.

“Estate agents are pivotal figures in one of the most emotional and stressful times in a person’s life, moving house, so they are bound to come in for some stick. But it’s really encouraging to see that the public’s personal experience seems to be more positive than we are led to believe” says Peter Knight, chairman of Agents Giving. 

“It’s not an easy job requiring a broad range of skills and as with all industries the ‘bad’ agents are the minority. In 2013 agents also gave over £13mto charity which is an amazing feat and a reflection of their close work with local communities” he says.

Every Friday Estate Agent Today has a page dedicated to the latest charitable efforts of those in our industry. To publicise your own good deeds, get in touch on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk.