How do you improve Housenetworks service?

chickmug

The easy answer is to say for them to offer their service for free.

Seriously though I have been very impressed with the amount of positive comments, on here, about their service. And having been in the business (see my signature) for a very long time I would use them or suggest my friends use them which is a pretty strong endorsement.

However, no matter how good they appear to be I do wonder if you could improve the service they offer or provide more options. I really would be interested on opinions covering this as I may take a look at setting up in competition with them.

54druids

Market themselves nationwide and not just in England

Bibliophile_2

They need to be able to reach non-computer households. Not everyone has access to a computer. Advertising in the local press or somehow having a "shop" window/presence in the local area.

dirtmother

Quote prices inc. VAT
Offer a more 'local knowledge' valuation.
Offer an accompanied viewings option (I couldn't recommend my parents use them as they are often away and for them it has been useful to allow viewings without them there - mind you, not a single offer in 2 years)

becs

Trouble is if you have a high street window as such and staff to do the viewings you are increasing the costs hugely which would then have to be passed on to vendors which defeats the purpose of them in the first place.
Local property papers advertising would be a good idea though.

chickmug

Thanks for the replies so far and keep them coming.

The service is very much a web based one and as such would be totally uneconomic to have local shop window, accompanied viewings or any other localised promotion. Any one or more of these factors would send costs through the roof. It can't be all things, to all people, but is merely a further choice for those who feel the web based service is the right choice for them.

dirtmother

In which case, just employ really good staff right across the board who will keep you in the loop about any chasing they've done after an offer has been accepted.

chickmug

dirtmother wrote: »

In which case, just employ really good staff right across the board who will keep you in the loop about any chasing they've done after an offer has been accepted.

I have a network of like minded agents who are interested in the idea as they realise the web may become more of a competition issue for them in future years. All owner run and with a lot of experience so ---?

not_loaded

I don’t think that a territory issue, such as Scotland, matters a lot. It’s always best when starting a business not to over-extend yourself.

As a current customer of theirs, I feel that they already employ really good staff. Just my personal opinion of course. Almost everything I’ve seen you post chickmug, demonstrates high business standards and values, so that shouldn’t be a problem for you I’d have thought.

As you say, it can never be all things to all people, but with more and more people being PC savvy, and the property portals getting more sophisticated, I think a business like this is a goer.

I have a feeling that EAs of the future (five or ten years ahead?) will be solely web-based due to the economics. People are clearly begrudging the huge sums they want for often a very easy sale. I hardly ever go into town for anything any more, so the EA high street premises are meaningless to me.

People have no trouble employing others to do jobs for them such as gardening, and even the ironing. It’s not a huge leap surely to find someone to host viewings?

I’m not sure how the network of like-minded agents fits into this though.

chickmug

Thanks not loaded for your useful comments. I am not a great believer in accompanied viewings as I feel the owner can do a far better job than the typical folk. These are often casually employed and used as and when needed and have little real interest in selling.

I recognise that some will want this service so will have to revert to the local EA until an option can be worked out. I am sure HN have looked at this and the logistics seem to me to be impossible and very risky. It could be an optional extra for each viewing but I doubt anyone would tick that box as it would work out so high.

googler

Bibliophile wrote: »

They need to be able to reach non-computer households. Not everyone has access to a computer. Advertising in the local press or somehow having a "shop" window/presence in the local area.

Priceless - the "Online Estate Agent" would be much improved with a high-street presence !!!

On other threads, posters regard the LACK of a high-street presence as HN's positive point ......

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: