A vital part of the role of estate agent is ensuring that only serious, financially capable buyers are brought to the table. Agents qualify potential buyers by requesting proof of mortgage approval (a mortgage agreement in principle) or confirmation of available funds for cash buyers. This vetting process helps you avoid wasted time on viewers who aren’t in a position to proceed.
In addition, experienced estate agents often have a feel for a buyer’s intent based on their communication and property search history. This allows them to filter out time-wasters and focus only on those who are ready, willing, and able to purchase—ultimately speeding up the sale process and reducing the risk of deals falling through.