Property sales are traditionally carried out through estate agents. But the profession, never far from controversy, is one of the least trusted. An undercover BBC expose sparking outcry against estate agents in 2006 revealed fake offers, forged documents and over-valuations. Now the internet is giving individuals the freedom to sell their property themselves, avoiding hefty estate agent commission fees and the possibility of dodgy practices altogether.

But are sellers too quick to dismiss the advantages a good estate agent can bring to their sale? In this feature we see what estate agents have to offer...

Insider knowledge

One benefit of using an estate agent is being able to tap into their local property knowledge. This, says Peter Shaw, sales manager at estate agents Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, is an important part of the service.

“Through instructing an estate agent to sell your property you are paying a professional for their expertise on the market and knowledge of the local area; they should know their patch inside and out."

A good estate agent will be able to provide you with indications of how the market is looking and advice on getting the best possible price. They will also be able to give you a realistic and honest valuation.

Compliment this with your own research, including looking at property trends in your area, and the recent sale prices of similar properties. Arm yourself with a property valuation report to get the right price for your property.

The right tools

Crucially, a local estate agent should be at an advantage when it comes to marketing your property to potential buyers. On top of arrangements with the key property classified websites, estate agents can call upon local press, leaflets and even their shop window to advertise your property. They should also have a ready-made list of buyers on their books.

Take the stress out of selling

Managing a property sale can be stressful and time consuming. An estate agent is there to make your life easier by managing the process for you - from measuring your home's dimensions and writing an eye-catching advert to handling the trickier parts of the sale, including price negotiations.

According to Peter Shaw: "Estate agents are trained negotiators and when it comes to agreeing the sale and ensuring that the best price is achieved, there is no substitute for the experience of a professional."

Having a go-between at this stage in the process means you can leave it to experienced negotiators to fight your corner. After all, the higher the final selling price, the more commission they earn.

The end of the estate agent?

So will estate agents lose out in the long term to online services? Peter Shaw thinks not.

"The internet is changing the way the estate agency industry is run, however I firmly believe that there will always be a place for the high street estate agent: buyers and sellers like the safety and peace of mind of dealing face to face."

The key to selling your property quickly, for the time being at least, is finding a good estate agent to work with.