It matters more than you might think.
When people talk about choosing an agent, the focus is often on the obvious — the property brochure, the photos, the asking price, or how confident, or more realistically high, the valuation sounds. But the real test of an agent’s performance happens after a property launches. What percentage of homes actually go under offer? How many agreed sales reach completion? How often do deals fall apart? And how many sellers quietly withdraw because the result isn’t materialising? Independent analysis across Cambridge over the last 12 months provides some very clear answers.
The results, in black and white...
Across CB1 — CB5 and surrounding villages, Cooke Curtis & Co ranked No.1 across every major measure of sales performance:
Highest sale success rate — 73.2%
More of our listings go under offer than any other leading Cambridge agent. This matters because a property that doesn’t secure an offer early is statistically less likely to ever sell.
Highest completion rate — 69.6%
Agreeing a sale is one thing. Successfully progressing it through surveys, mortgages, chains and solicitors is another. We complete more of the sales that we agree, which means fewer wasted months and fewer broken plans (and frankly hearts).
Lowest fall-through rate — 21.6%
Fall-throughs cost sellers time, money and momentum. A lower fall-through rate reflects tighter buyer qualification, better chain management and proactive sales progression. Aside from the quantitative issues, there are the no less important qualitative - yes its the broken hearts again.
Lowest withdrawal rate — 30.4%
Sellers withdraw when their confidence is lost. Our lower withdrawal rate tells its own story: clients stay with us because the strategy works and the communication is regular and clear. It is king as they say!
Market share that punches above our weight
As a single-office independent, we outperform many multi-branch agents across the city. No inflated branch counts. No internal competition. Just one focused team doing the job properly. A lean, mean sales and lettings machine if you like.
Why these numbers matter to sellers
These aren’t vanity metrics. Each one directly affects a seller’s outcome. A higher sale success rate means your home is priced and positioned correctly from day one. Not reduced quickly after the deal has been done. A higher completion rate means fewer collapsed chains and fewer stressful re-launches. A lower fall-through rate means buyers are better vetted and deals are better managed. A lower withdrawal rate means sellers are achieving results, not excuses. Put simply, the chances of a smooth, successful move increase when fewer things go wrong along the way.
The difference is what happens behind the scenes
Strong results don’t come from chance or from “testing the market.” They come from: 1. Accurate pricing grounded in local evidence 2. Proper buyer qualification before offers are agreed 3. Relentless sales progression once a deal is struck 4. Clear, honest communication when decisions matter. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s what turns agreed sales into completed moves.
Cambridge is competitive. Performance matters.
In a market as nuanced and competitive as Cambridge, choosing an agent based on promises alone is risky. We are Cambridge people, we are analytical. This is no less important when choosing your agent. Independent data tells a far more useful story. And over the last 12 months, that story is clear: 1. More sales agreed 2. More sales completed 3. Fewer fall-throughs and 4. Fewer withdrawals.
If you’re planning a move and want to understand what those numbers could mean for your own home, we’re always happy to talk.
