housenetwork.co.uk/

h_roberts

Having posted yesterday re ourpropertymove, and seeing recommendations for housenetwork, I took a long look at them.
Aren't they just an online EA? Sure their fees are a bit(!) lower than the High St version, but I still have to ask the basic question... what can they do that you, as owner/seller cannot? For Free!
I can take good piccies; I can write a fair (and accurate!) description; I can draw a floor plan; I can monitor responses and handle viewings; I can even open my mouth and talk to solicitors, etc.
One answer, I found, was that they can still make stupid typos - never mind the 'comprises OF' howler, how about 'SORT AFTER AREA'? And they want you to pay them money for a 'professional' service?
I am even more convinced that - provided you have the time and the wherewithal - DO IT YOURSELF!
Long live the freebie sites. (One question which has always bothered me about 'free' sites ... where/how do they make their pennies?)

lynzpower

what can they do that you, as owner/seller cannot? For Free!

get your property on rightmove.

Doozergirl

h_roberts wrote:

what can they do that you, as owner/seller cannot? For Free!

I'm only really echoing Lynzpower here, but you need marketing tools and most of them aren't free. Rightmove is probably the biggest property portal and in my opinion, it's essential to get on there which you can't do if you're not an agent.

Even if you tried to do everything yourself, you'd still need to pay for things like adverts in the local paper at least. Waiting for the right person to walk past isn't a particularly proactive approach.

Snaggles

h_roberts wrote:

Long live the freebie sites. (One question which has always bothered me about 'free' sites ... where/how do they make their pennies?)

Generally from selling advertising space, or, god forbid, selling your details on to third party companies (although reputable companies will have an option to prevent this when you sign up).

h_roberts

Thanks for rapid responses! Nice to know we’re keen to assist each other.
However, I reiterate, what can they do that we can’t? And what has a site like rightmove got that others don’t?
I originally started with clicksell on a free offer, including free for-sale board (I’m still there, but waiting until after Xmas to hang out the board) and they – and other freebie sites – have been trawled by fish4 and many of the other ‘major portals’. My property appears in far more links than any individual EA site.
So where are their special ‘marketing tools’?
Rightmove has loadsa bricks and mortar, for sure, but you have to wade through acres of EA-speak to get to the nub, and you end up ignoring 99% of it!
I remain unconvinced.

lynzpower

However, I reiterate, what can they do that we can’t? And what has a site like rightmove got that others don’t?

Everybody with access to the internet who is househunting will use rightmove. they are the most popular site, the most hits, only EAs use it and most EAs do.

I woud have never considered selling my property without rightmove. Never.

h_roberts

If you’re using the internet, you will find my house!
Certainly, EA sites are a good place to start, but I strongly disagree that you MUST be on one.

lynzpower

I personally think that of course you can sell privately.

there are though SCORES of free websites and even me who is obsessed with looking at houses on the internet dont know even half of them.

If you use rightmove and find 10 houses on there, and view one, why would you bother looking elsewhere -

im not saying you wont have some luck, but I doubt it would be quicker - seriously. Housenetwork gave me 8 viewings in the 1st week. 1 offer I accepted the others in the wings in case deal one falls through.

Canucklehead

Good morning: I think we are giving the majority of potential buyers too much credit...I would hazard to guess that Rightmove would be at the top of the list for most people's property searches if they are webbed up and other sites would come a poor second. We carefully considered our selling options before we went with Housenetwork...exposure on Rightmove was essential as we don't live in a property hotspot and the other options had limited listings for our area...we sold previously with HN and have a second property with them at the mo...had 3 offers now but holding out for a bit more dosh!

Good luck.

h_roberts

I have an advantage. I am selling a 'one-off' property, not a box, and it’s rural, and it’s not on a main road.
That’s also a potential disadvantage. I need a buyer who’s prepared to work for it!
Fortunately I can wait for the right person who – just as I did 20-odd years ago – will say ‘That’s the one I want”.
However, I’m NOT just ‘waiting for the right person to walk past’, I’m being my own agent, with a lot more to gain or lose than your High St EA.
But then I've always been of the opinion, "Why pay others to do what you can do yourself (and better, and quicker and cheaper…)"