I recently went to an appraisal. I met the owner, they were lovely and very easy going. The potential clients showed me around the newly built property and all the features of their property.

I always come prepared and bring along my new client pack which includes our services, fees, brochures for smoke alarms and landlord insurance, comparables & testimonials which I think are gold when appraising a property.

After talking with the potential clients for a while, I found they were very impressed with all that we talked about until we got to the potential rent. They asked the normal question ‘so how much rent can we expect each week?’ I replied and they seemed shocked.

I had to ask how thought their property was worth so much in rent per week, they advised that a sales agent had inspected and told them a total different figure to me, one obviously much higher and unrealistic.

I questioned did they tell you how they came to that figure or their reasoning behind it and the client said ‘not really, they didn’t show us comparables like you, they told us that we can easily get that amount.’ The sales agents was quoting sales figures I think in order to just get the listing.

Time after time I have been to appraisals and clients get their properties appraised for a sales value and also a rental value but it is the sales agent that does the rental appraisal.

In my opinion I would only ever get a property manager or a BDM in to do a rental appraisal, we know the leasing market as we handle it every day. We also have the knowledge to pass onto the landlord for current legislations, what landlord’s must do and what tenants are expected to do. I would never do a sales appraisal as I would have one of my sales colleagues come along with me to do it. Sales agents should do the same thing and bring a property manager or BDM from their office with them.

I ended up listing the property as the owner appreciated my honesty and wanted to be realistic with rental. I believe there is no point listing a property that you have overpriced and have it sit on the market for weeks. It not only makes you as an agent look bad but it makes you look unexperienced.

Sales agents are sales agents and are totally separate to property managers and BDM’s. You should only get the specialist you require to look after your property if you want to sell or lease.

Choosing the wrong type of agent can cost the landlord a lot of money. If a landlord has a good experience with you they will tell others, it is just the same as if they have a bad experience with you they will always tell others. Referrals and reputation in our business are two main key factors in succeeding. Why ruin that!