Bear Estate Agents Reviews 

The team were excellent throughout.

Special thanks to Tamzyn Huggins for finding us the property and Tilly Cecil and Wendy for managing our case and helping us complete on our new home.

From the very start of the process to the very end we have always felt fully clear, up-to-date, informed, respected and listened to from every staff member at the Basildon branch. Not only did we need the Estate Agents to sell our property but also to work with us and consider our home situation. As my husband has long term mental illnesses and autism, he is house bound so viewings, decision making, conversations were either done a little differently or extra consideration and Bear took this on completely, with no fuss and treated us with nothing but respect, kindness and consistent fantastic knowledge about the whole process. Several members of staff were involved during the process at different stages - Jamie, Sean, Lucina, Ellie, Leigh-Anne and Joe. Joe - we cannot thank you enough - the whole team is led by Joe and there is definitely a link in everyone's qualities and skill sets that make this team very consistent, very driven, kind mannered and all a similar work ethic. The initial photos taken were excellent and showed our home well. Viewings were handled well - we were always telephoned the same day when someone wanted to view; viewings were also easily arranged; we were informed promptly if offers or further interest was shown and feedback was always given within 24hrs. We were guided to the next stage once an offer was accepted and the transition from the sales team to sales progressor moved with you - very smoothly. For several months and whilst the solicitor took lead (in our case) communication reduced with the Estate Agents . However, from time to time - and just at the right point to touch base, Joe would send an email to remind us that Bear are still available at any time to assist in anyway regarding the process stating himself, Jamie and Leigh-Anne are always on hand. This was always well timed and meant a lot as provided reassurance that one can contact Bear still at any point. Not being experienced in the buying/selling process it felt good to know. Towards the last few months leading up to completion we did respond and reach out to Bear. We liaised with Leigh-Anne, the sales progressor a few times - very on the ball and does exactly what her job title states - whatever is required to ensure your sale completes. What has also worked for us are the methods of communication that Bear use - ALL methods e.g. phone or email etc. Several phone conversations were often backed up with an email. All of this is headed by Joe and for us, we had the pleasure of having phone conversations and emails with Joe throughout the process and met him several times during viewings - such a genuine, sincere, patient person who cares passionately about the job he does but also his clients who choose Bear to act on their behalf. We really would like to convey to him our special thanks and wish him and the team nothing but the best. Thank you all.

Recently used Bear to sell a property the staff were all friendly and helpful. Everything went smoothly.
Would recommend their services.

We had our completion today,and I have to see a big thank you to Helen,she is a really friendly and professional person.she help has step by step with all process.

Helen at bear estate agents was excellent in keeping us informed ,on the progress of our purchase of our bungalow.she also gave us very good advice on navigating our move into our new property.when we got the jitters ,because it was taking so long to move.Helen allayed our fears,and was always truthful in her answers.

When the buying process was halted by delays, the team at Bear went above and beyond to facilitate communication, push through outstanding enquiries and kept me informed.

We bought our first home through Bear, and it was incredibly stressful overall.

Our initial interactions with them were great. Ellie and Shaun were generally very helpful. Viewings with Shaun and his local knowledge were brilliant, and did conduct a thorough presentation of each property (we've seen other estate agents, particularly in London, just stand there and know nothing about the property... He had largely done his homework, which was refreshing.)

Unfortunately once we'd had an offer accepted on a place it was all a bit downhill.

It took over five months from offer acceptance to completion, and it was the most stressful five months of my life. We heard very little for the first two or three of these, we had to chase Bear for even the smallest action or most vague update.

Our conveyancer often didn't get responses from the seller's representatives, and we would have to chase this via Bear on her behalf. At one point Joe the director had to get involved, because the seller's solicitor had been sat on the contract pack for a month, and Leigh Anne had not provided promised follow ups.

Over time we learned that we'd been told things that weren't true, firstly that the loft room had the paperwork it was supposed to (it didn't, thankfully it seems to be sound) and we came to learn that the reasons for sale were far more complicated than we had been told. Had anyone been upfront with us, we would have been better prepared and may have changed how we approached the process. This was all very unfair on us as first time buyers.

The lack of progression and communication led to us being evicted from our rental property in July. We had told Bear that our landlady had issued a Section 21, but there was no acknowledgement of the situation or it's urgency despite this. Exchange was seemingly only arranged only after the person our seller was buying from insisted upon setting a firm date! We had been ready to go for months at this point, with just arbitrary enquiries about the loft room not being answered clearly. We didn't even know we were in a chain until this point, because the progression team hadn't told us anything!

Overall, we found Sean and Lucina very nice to deal with but unfortunately the sales progression team did not act very helpfully to progress the sale. The stress of all this over the last five months has caused my hair to fall out.

Sadly we'd probably avoid buying another house marketed through Bear. This has taken all of the joy out of buying our first home.

This Estate agent quickly valued house and put on the market. Good pictures and description of house. Good footfall in first weeks but no sensible offers.
Remarketed at lower price again good footfall and some offers under valuation. Decided on quick sale and buyer found with acceptable price. Staff friendly and helpful. Always answered any questions swiftly. When the sale was taking time staff were questioning buyer and thier solicitor as to why. I have been happy with this company.

When I first began my search for an estate agent to sell my home in March 2025 Bear wasn’t immediately on my radar. However, after noticing the prominent presence of their “For Sale” signs throughout Rayleigh and Hockley in Essex, it became clear they have established a strong foothold in the area.

I had previously attempted to sell my house in 2022 with another agent, but after five months of waiting, the buyer pulled out on the day contracts were about to be exchanged, this was a disappointing and expensive outcome, and I feel my previous agent had done little to avoid this problem as there were too many signs of the buyer being unreliable in the run up to them pulling out. After being scarred by this experience we wanted to try again with another agent, albeit 3 years later. I knew I needed a solid agent.

From the outset, Ellis at Bear impressed me. His valuation was accurate, and our straightforward conversations instilled confidence. Among all the agents I considered, his sales plan stood out. The quality of photography was excellent, and Ellis made the process easy and efficient, arranging multiple viewings within the first week.

Though the house didn’t sell in the initial two weeks, I trusted Ellis’s expertise and after a quick discussion, we adjusted the price. The property sold the next week.

Moving can be a slow process, but Zoe at Bear consistently stayed on top of communications with other agents and solicitors, ensuring the completion date was met smoothly. Zoe’s communication was excellent throughout.

Driving through Rayleigh and Hockley on moving day, it was clear how dominant Bear is in the local market with so many properties sold or listed under their name. If you’re planning to sell in this area, you can be absolutely confident Bear is the best choice.

Thanks to the entire team for their professionalism and support.

Gary

After all the usual traumas and property viewings involved in my house buying, eventually I came across Bears who introduced me to the house into which I've just moved. Helen Wilson at Bears was a diamond! She steered both myself and my Seller throughout the entire process smoothly and capably and taking the lead where necessary. She was bright and cheerful, efficient and prompt. I can't speak highly enough about her and I both send her my thanks and best wishes in her career.

Helen and Sydney were the agents I mostly had dealings with, both were always professional, personal and easy to communicate with. Helen finished off the sale of my parents house and on the day went above and beyond! She was very caring as was an emotional day as had been my parents and our home since 1966!

Bears estate agents were helpful,friendly and pro active in the sale of my house in southend. Helen was amazing and kept us updated on everything which made the process smoother.I would recommend Bear estate agents to anyone looking to sell there houses in Essex and surrounding areas.

Hi All.
My wife and I started looking to purchase our first property earlier this year and found a lovely house in Rayleigh, Essex.
We had an offer accepted with the help of the Branch Manager Ellis at Bear Estate Agents in Hockley who was brilliant and gave us advice every step of the way.
Our file was then handed over to our God send, Zoë M who is the senior sale progressor.
To cut a long story short, our landlord gave us until the 20/08/2025 to vacate our rental property, Zoë went above and beyond and out of her scope of work to push to get all the properties in the chain complete for us to move in on the 19/08/2025!!!!!!!!!
We cannot thank the Bear team enough, especially you Zoë!!!
Mike & SJ

The team at Bear Hockley have been brilliant, from initial marketing through to the sale of our home.

We had a few blips along the way, which is understandable, as it’s a tough process.

From marketing in March to a completion just around the corner in 8 days time.

Thank you to the entire Hockley team 🐻 👏

As a first time seller, the prospect of selling a property was a very daunting place. I thought it would take a really long time and be difficult to navigate. From the moment Marcos came round for the initial chat and valuation, to Brad coming to take photos - making an amazing listing/brochure - to each and every agent who took the time to oversee viewings, it was all such a smooth, easy and supportive process! I accepted an offer on my property within a few weeks!
I want to say a huge "THANK YOU" to each and every one of you! I would highly recommend Bear Estate Agents to anyone! I cannot believe how good you ALL are at what you do!

Cannot thank bear estate agents enough for all their support. Helen has been amazing throughout and been such a reassurance, nothing has been too much and she has truly gone above and beyond throughout our buying process. We had hassle with our solicitors, and she has chased for me as well as given me guidance completely out of her job role, she’s really been a superstar. I’ve cried, laughed and ranted down the phone to her and she has been excellent. Thankyou so much Helen I really cannot express our gratitude

Brilliant team. Sydney and Helen were amazing. So happy with how smooth the sale went. Thank you Bear for all your help and relentless work!

Great service and professional dealing got from Bear Westcliff on sea, especially the Letting Manager Jade giving good service. I am 100% recommending Bear.

Zoe Moore is simply the best State Agent we have ever come across. She is very knowledgeable, on top of absolutely everything, very quick and efficient! We will be forever grateful to her contribution to the purchase of our new house.

My partner and I are first time buyers, and we’re excited about putting an offer in for a house we really liked. We went through all the correct procedures on our own before looking for properties. Have our mortgage advisor, mortgage in principle (with certificates) and solicitors already selected for when we find a house we liked. When I went to put in the offer we were told that bear could not put the offer forward to the vendors because we needed to go through their mortgage brokers. I stated that I could send them the certificates and the number to my mortgage advisor however they refused to put the offer forward unless we had gone through their steps. I found the person I spoke to quietly pushy and he never seemed to listen or even acknowledge what I was saying to him. At the same time he never explained why we needed to do this.

I dont believe it was right of him without instruction from the vendor to reject our offer for them. He never stated that he had any instruction from them and that he would just ‘assume’ that they would. As first time buyers and a couple who is actively seeking to a property, this has made me feel very uncomfortable and almost put off with dealing this estate agent.