Half a Percent.com - Anyone used them?

Dizz

Hi there everyone

I have a very small flat which I want to sell, but having had quotes from local Estate Agents as to their charges, I have been put off as money is a little tight, and with all the charges adding up I am not sure moving is now a viable option. The flat is only worth about £100k and they want to charge £1500 or £1600 +VAT. I phoned round a few and this seems to be about the standard charge, which I think is extortionate!

I found the website Halfapercent.com, an online Estate Agent which advertises on all the major home buying portals - just wondered if anyone had any experience of them and if so, were they any good?

I would just advertise the property and sell it myself if I could, but as I am a woman living alone I would rather have some sort of agency screening potential viewers for me before letting them into my home!

Any comments gratefully received!

Tassotti

How much does this company charge ???

Not used them, but have seen a couple of overpriced properties advertised by them.

Get a couple of valuations done by other agents, and if HaP compare, give them a go.

Dizz

Ha ha very funny, Tassotti! ;o)

courtjester

I thought HaP were an 'online' service, meaning to an extent they leave you to do most things.

Note that no agent actually vets buyers other than asking for their details in order to try and sell them a mortgage. Don't expect agents to follow up to check that the address buyers give them is correct or to run any security or credit checks on buyers. Agents love to imply that they do this type of 'screening', but this is misleading.

If you're concerned about visitors to your home whilst you are on your own, you should probably use a local agent and insist that they conduct all viewings accompanied - that's the only way you will gain any real extra security.

However, if money is tight, you should look to selling privately - search on Google for "sell house" or "sell my house" for the main private contenders, the leading companies charge £100-£150 fixed advertising price.

As regards viewings, any chance you can get a friend /relative /neighbour to be around at the time of viewings to give you more confidence?

Tassotti

One such company is

https://www.houseladder.co.uk

Dizz

Hi Courtjester

Well, I realise that Estate Agents can only do so much, but it's better than having any old Tom, !!!!!! or Harry walk into my flat - at least they will have t o have registered with the agency.

I've found a company across the road from me who used to arrange mortgages but now have started as an Estate Agency as well, who are doing an introductory offer of selling any property for £999 with no VAT. Not only that, there is no tie-in period I would just have to give 5 days written notice to terminate my contract with them. They advertise in the local papers and online, so it seems to me these may well be my best bet for now as I am in no great rush to sell my flat so even if they don't have the client databases that the more established agents have and don't get me a sale, I am free to go elsewhere...

Any comments, anyone?

afro_2

http://www.housenetwork.co.uk/ ?