The Ideal Pad | Help For The Property Market

Always be wary of estate agents. If any of you watched that Mary Portas show where she tried to help improve an estate agency, you'll know how much don't actually know about what they're selling, and how they will completely bluff to sell you a house.

Always go with a trusted seller, look online at forums and reviews. This can be tricky as a lot of the internet is used for moaning, rather than congratulating on when people actually do their jobs, so can give the negative side without the positive.

But most of all, try and work out your agent him or herself. See what you can judge from their character. Are they being deceptive? Look at their body language. Talk to managers. Be thorough. After all, it's a lot of money you're parting with, and a lot of it will go to them so they can spend on more aftershave, jewellery, Gio-Goi, Soviet clothing and Lacoste shoes for the weekend. Har har...

Photo: lumaxart (Flickr)