When it comes to buying or selling a home in Hitchin and the surrounding towns and villages, the estate agent you choose really does matter, possibly far more than you think.
While it’s easy to assume that all estate agents are working in your best interests, some estate agency practices can deliver a very different experience which can vary enormously depending on who you instruct.
In particular, concerns have been raised about how larger, corporate estate agents operate, especially when their size means they dominate the local area by merging or taking over smaller, independent firms.
On the surface, this kind of expansion might look like growth and success, but what it often creates is a gap; a vacuum in the middle of the market, where trust, accountability and personal service quietly start to disappear. Sellers and buyers can be left feeling like they’ve stepped into a machine, rather than a supportive, professional relationship.
At Wellington Evans, we believe that independence makes all the difference. We’re not part of a national chain, and that’s exactly how we like it. Our independence gives us the freedom to focus completely on what’s best for the people we’re working with, rather than targets handed down from head office or restrictive sales tactics that are designed to hit quotas rather than deliver good advice.
Transparency and Trust – The Foundations of a Good Independent Estate Agency
One of the biggest issues people face when dealing with a large agent is the feeling that things are being withheld or glossed over. Whether it's overly optimistic valuations, vague explanations about offer processes, or being nudged towards services they didn’t ask for, many clients end up feeling like they’re being "managed" rather than represented.
We do things differently. We know that selling or buying a property is one of the most significant financial decisions a person will ever make. It’s not a numbers game for us. It’s about people, homes, and clear, honest advice that stands up to scrutiny.
We always explain how we arrive at a valuation, how we structure offers, and how we support a sale through to completion. If there’s ever something you don’t understand, we make it our job to explain it properly. That’s how it should be, and that’s what you should expect as a bare minimum.
Nick says:
“We want people to feel like they’re dealing with real humans who care about the outcome. This is someone’s home we’re talking about, not a stock number. We treat every single instruction as if it were our own house we’re selling or buying.”
Why Experience Matters and Who That Experience Is Working For
There’s no doubt that the housing market can be a tricky space to navigate. Whether it’s understanding local demand, such as in Hitchin, managing multiple offers, or progressing a chain smoothly, you need someone in your corner who genuinely knows what they’re doing and who’s doing it for you, not someone else.
With some of the bigger chains, you’ll often find that the estate agents change every few months, or that the estate agent who came to value your house isn’t the person who ends up managing your sale. In contrast, with a local independent like us, you’ll deal with the same experienced people from start to finish.
That kind of consistency isn’t just comforting, it can make all the difference when unexpected hiccups happen and you need someone who already knows your situation inside out.
James puts it this way:
“We’re in this to do the job properly. That means listening carefully, giving honest feedback and pushing for the best result we can get for the client. It’s about doing right by people.”
The Danger of Assuming All Agents Are the Same
A lot of people still assume that all estate agents follow the same rules and offer the same level of service. That simply isn’t the case. Just because someone has a recognisable brand name above the door doesn’t mean they’re always acting with complete transparency or putting your interests first.
What’s often missing from the corporate approach is genuine accountability, there’s always someone else to pass responsibility to if something goes wrong, and customers are left frustrated with little recourse.
With an independent agent like Wellington Evans, the buck stops with us, and we’re more than happy with that. We take pride in our name and reputation, and we know that every instruction is a reflection of our values and the trust people place in us.
Buying or selling a home is not just about getting to exchange and completion, it’s about how you feel throughout the process. You should feel informed, supported and respected, not pressured or sidelined.
So, if you’re thinking of making a move, take a moment to really think about who’s helping you do it. Choose an estate agent who’s on your side from the start and who’ll still be answering the phone with the same friendly voice right through to moving day.
Equally, if you’re not happy with your current estate agent and are considering making a change, James or Nick would welcome the opportunity to offer no-obligation advice about your home sale and its progress, or lack thereof.
