1. Ask a number of estate agents to view your house and do not immediately take the estate agent who gives you the highest valuation. They may simply be doing this to secure your custom. If no buyers make an offer you will need to lower your price and be stuck on the market for longer.

2. Ask what exposure the estate agent has. You must have your property advertised widely on the internet and not just their own website. Ideally your property also needs to be advertised on a national property site as well.

3. Negotiate on their commission percentage. Even 0.25% discount can mount to hundreds if not thousands of pounds. Estate agents want your business and you lose nothing by haggling.

4. Are you allowed to take your own photos for the brochure? First impressions on house details matter. If you are not happy with the estate agent's photo ask if you can take your own. This should not be a problem especially if you have a digital camera and can email them your photo.

5. Does the estate agent like your property? A good salesman needs to believe in what they are selling and their positive speak can persuade a buyer in your favour. Can they suggest ways of making your property more marketable?

6. Call the estate agent pretending to be a buyer. Are they helpful? Do they send you the details you request? Did they make a positive impression on you? If not, then be wary of using them.

7. Does the estate agent accompany viewers on visits or do you need to show people around. When viewers look at houses it is preferable that an estate agent shows them around. Viewers are then more freely to speak their mind and the estate agent is a practised salesman. Homeowners are not and can sometimes talk too much and even talk down their house.

Remember you are not selling your property to make friends with your estate agent. It is of course beneficial to have a good working relationship with your estate agent but be sure that they are working for you and that they work to earn their commission.