When Red Flags Appear Before the ‘For Sale’ Board

When Red Flags Appear Before the ‘For Sale’ Board

I’ll be honest every now and then, I feel a sting of disappointment when we don’t win an instruction I really wanted. It usually takes me a few hours to get over it. But then I remind myself: we’re not the perfect fit for everyone, and not everyone is the perfect fit for us.

After all, the best property journeys start with trust and mutual respect. I’d much rather begin on the right foot than spend months battling through every phone call with someone I’m genuinely there to help. While it can be disheartening in the moment, I’ve been doing this long enough to know the difference between a good partnership and one that will only bring stress on both sides.

That’s where the “red flags” come in. They’re not deal-breakers on their own, but they’re gentle warning signs that the working relationship might not be the right one. Here are a few I’ve learned to look out for shared with a sprinkle of humour, but grounded in experience and they my even assit you when picking an agent:

1. Expecting Fine Wine on a Supermarket Budget

There’s nothing wrong with a supermarket bottle of wine on a Friday night, but if you’re looking for something exceptional, you know there’s a world of difference. Selling a property is similar: professional marketing, skilled negotiation, and years of experience aren’t “extras” — they’re the ingredients that create the best possible outcome.

2. Seeking Expert Advice, Then Ignoring It

Would you book a GP appointment, listen carefully to their advice, and then do the opposite? Probably not. The same principle applies here. If you’ve chosen me as your trusted advisor, lean on my experience, it’s there to protect your best interests. Our years of experience and qualifications are genuine reasons you can trust in our advice, but don’t forget, we’re trusted local people too, we genuinely accountable for our actions and advice in the wider community, our word of mouth recommendations wouldn’t be what they are if the last 13 years of Wishart Estate Agents wasn’t working to help clients sell their homes for the best possible price in the market conditions.

3. Believing ‘Anyone Can Sell a House’

Yes, anyone can upload photos and hope for the best. But achieving the right sale price with the least stress is another story. It’s a bit like cutting your own fringe technically possible, but the results aren’t always what you hoped for, why risk it? 

4. Changing the Goalposts Mid-Game

We all adapt when circumstances change, but if the strategy shifts every week, it’s difficult to stay on track. Clear and consistent goals mean we can put all our energy into getting you where you want to be, without unnecessary detours.

5. Falling for the Overpromise

When another agent tells you they can sell your home quicker, for more money, and for less fee than everyone else, it can be tempting to believe. But if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Sometimes the biggest red flag is the agent who promises the earth without the evidence to back it up.

Final Thoughts

I’ve learned that the best results come from honest conversations, mutual respect, and realistic expectations right from the beginning. That way, selling your property becomes a partnership not a battle.

So yes, it still stings when I don’t win an instruction I had my heart set on. But I’d rather save that energy for the clients who truly value what we do  because that’s where the magic really happens.

If you’d like to see if Wishart Estate Agents are the right fit for you, we’d be delight to meet with you and give you the opportunity to make up your own mind.