Selling privately

WallyBird

I agree with Phlash. We chose Housenetwork specifically because it gets you on Rightmove and the other internet sites. They do a great job with the photos, and it is much cheaper than a traditional estate agent. Still going through the process - but so far, we are very happy with the service.

WallyBird

tolland wrote: »

I was thinking about sites like the littlehousecompany or housenetwork but its not clear which of those sites is the most successful for their advertising networks.

I went through this same process a few months ago. Chose Housenetwork as it seemed the most highly regarded on these forums. So far, I am very happy with the choice.

dander

To me the thing with private sales is that there is absolutely no advantage to the buyer. They just get the added awkwardness of having to deal with the seller directly - practical awkwardness in that it's harder to arrange viewings, can't neccessarily guarantee the phone will be answered in office hours etc, some people won't feel comfortable/safe going to a strange house alone and also there's social awkwardness in having to make the offer directly without a third party to tell the seller that you're actually making fair offer, or tell you nicely that you haven't a hope!

Unless you are selling something really unusual (I mean 12th century castle type unusual, not "Oh, we've got a bigger garden than our neighbours" unusual) then there's no incentive for a buyer to look beyond the major property websites/major estate agents.

If you can get on the major sites, then you have a better chance, but you have to accept that some buyers will be actively put off by a private sale. I'm not saying that selling privately can't be done, but you'll have to work very hard to overcome the disadvantages.

phlash

dander wrote: »

To me the thing with private sales is that there is absolutely no advantage to the buyer. They just get the added awkwardness of having to deal with the seller directly - practical awkwardness in that it's harder to arrange viewings, can't neccessarily guarantee the phone will be answered in office hours etc, some people won't feel comfortable/safe going to a strange house alone and also there's social awkwardness in having to make the offer directly without a third party to tell the seller that you're actually making fair offer, or tell you nicely that you haven't a hope!

Unless you are selling something really unusual (I mean 12th century castle type unusual, not "Oh, we've got a bigger garden than our neighbours" unusual) then there's no incentive for a buyer to look beyond the major property websites/major estate agents.

If you can get on the major sites, then you have a better chance, but you have to accept that some buyers will be actively put off by a private sale. I'm not saying that selling privately can't be done, but you'll have to work very hard to overcome the disadvantages.

Couldn't disagree more.

I know so many people who come away from using EA's saying "if only we could speak to the seller direct".

At the end of the day, meeting the seller fresh means there are no pre-defined perceptions, unlike when using an EA for which many people hold them in a bad light, rightly or wrongly.

If you have the appropriate skill set to deal with selling a house, and you can manage the process, its great. If you want to sit back, use an EA.

But I would argue, for someone who is pro-active and confident enough, it is much better to control the process yourself. An EA is only a service, much like a travel agent, some of still need them and some of us do not.

Nosht

Why not advertise it through a lawyer, much more ethical than an E.A.?


N.

dander

phlash wrote: »

An EA is only a service, much like a travel agent, some of still need them and some of us do not.

Of course, but my point is that it's not just about whether the seller feels they need one or not, it's about finding a buyer that feels the same way. Of course they are out there, but it narrows your market.

googler

Nosht wrote: »

Why not advertise it through a lawyer, much more ethical than an E.A.?

Why?

(MSE says I have to type more than 10 characters, so - )

Why?

phlash

dander wrote: »

Of course, but my point is that it's not just about whether the seller feels they need one or not, it's about finding a buyer that feels the same way. Of course they are out there, but it narrows your market.

That was my point. Many buyers have a biased against estate agents. If the seller has the skill set to manage the relationship well, and provide comfort to the buyer then not using an EA has many benefits.
(I would still use an EA like House Network, to get on Rightmove, but this style of EA allows much more input from the seller)