housenetwork - a review

taxiphil

googler wrote: »

Why can't Housenetwork re-use them, same as any other agent would do?

Because, unlike local agents, House Network don't provide supply/fit of of signage as part of their core package. They work on the theory (whether you agree with it or not) that the vast majority of leads are generated by Rightmove. If you want a sign they'll sell you one as an added extra, but you're responsible for erecting it yourself and can throw it in the bin or do whatever you want with it afterwards.

If using House Network, my Money Saving tip would be to buy a customised sign much cheaper on eBay for around £15 (just search for "For Sale Sign") and have HouseNetwork's phone number and website printed on it.

Scranage

I live in Leicestershire and used HouseNetworkto sell my four bedroomed house for £269,000 - only £6,000 less than the £275,000 asking price! It went live on RightMove on 25/01/2012, sold on 27/02/2012 and "completed" on 04/04/2012 - in this time I had seven viewings and four offers; one ridiculous, one cheeky, one okay and one very good.

Originally I had a local agent view the property and their standard fee was 1.25% - i.e £3,362.50 if it sold for £269,000. After some negotiation they reduced this to a sliding scale of 0.75% to 1.25% depending on how much they sold it for. I decided to look on the Internet, using Google, and came across about four companies offering a similar online estate agency service. After talking to each of them, and having pulled their accounts from companies house, I decided that HouseNetwork was the least risky option. To be honest, I still had reservations and ended up talking to their MD via the online chat facility. I asked some really awkward questions, but was fairly happy with the replies - plus the transcript was emailed to me so I had it all in writing lest anything went wrong. As you may have guessed, I am a very risk averse individual! I decided that at £425 plus VAT (special promo deal that has now expired - but I'd have happily paid the current £495 + VAT fee to be honest!) it was worth a punt given it would cost nearly £3,000 more with a local agent.

I paid my money in December, to grab the special deal, but didn't go live until the end of January so no money wasted as clock doesn't start ticking until you say go. The agent that visited to take the pictures was really friendly but professional and he produced some excellent floorplans (way better than most estate agents - some don't even bother....they are so lazy!) and some decent photos (far greater quantity than you get with most local agents listing on RightMove that showed off the best features of my house. Three of my viewers also commented on how good the service was and couldn't believe the difference in price between online and local services - one in particular was left counting how much they could have saved!

The online portal for bookings and feedback works really well, for sellers and buyers alike, but in the event of any problems, or even if you'd just like the personal touch, then you can ring the direct line number for the agent looking after your account - Ashley in this case and he was excellent at the crucial point of price negotiation. You will have to show viewers around your house personally, but to my mind you are probably the best person to do so - afterall, who else knows as much about it? In my experience most local agents will, unless you point blank refuse, ask you to perform viewings anyway - not sure what they really do for their money given 99% of buyers find the house on RightMove or elsewhere on the Internet anyway! Have a think about what you want to say beforehand and maybe do a trial run with your partner or a friend. I was a bit nervous initially but actually enjoyed it once I got going and I think the viewer liked the personal touch and past history I was able to provide - do leave them to have a look round on their own afterwards though.

I rarely provide feedback such as this, as I am simply too busy with work/home life, but such was the excellent service that I felt it would be unfair not to do so. I would recommend HouseNetwork to anyone and everyone and have certainly sang their praises to familiy and friends. Don't think the local agent, when ringing me for an update on progress, was overly pleased when I told them how good the service was.... food for thought no doubt and not good news for their business model in my opinion.

Assuming HouseNetwork keep their prices competitive, I wouldn't even bother looking at alternatives next time we move and this is coming from someone who normally spends a lot of time researching the best deal! Give them a try, you won't be disappointed and you'll save yourself a fortune - the saving paid for my solicitors (buy and sell), house survey and still left me with a few hundred pounds! Throughly recommended and many thanks for making my house sale such a pain free experience. :T

pinkkaz

So, I was arranging a mortgage in principle with London & Country and it seems they are partnered up with housenetwork because the broker guy sent me an email with the link (and yes, the infamous 5% discount code!)

I've spent ages researching them and think I've talked the husband round as it does seem worth a gamble to potentially save £4.5k worth of agent fees. We will probably contact them this weekend so wish me luck - I'll update with how it's going...

Davesnave

Scranage wrote: »

I rarely provide feedback such as this.....

Thank God for that!

I'm getting into training to read it, starting with the Old Testament. :rotfl:

Ivana_Tinkle

We're about six weeks into the conveyancing process, buying a house through Housenetwork. At no point have they asked us for any proof of funds or asked to see a mortgage agreement in principle. In fact, they've done nothing at all towards the sale of the property, other than passing on our initial request for a viewing - they've been far more interested in trying to persuade us to sell our house through them. As a buyer, I think they're wonderful - the photos and description of the house we're buying were so awful that I think we've got an absolute bargain - but as a seller I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

Davesnave

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

As a buyer, I think they're wonderful - the photos and description of the house we're buying were so awful that I think we've got an absolute bargain - but as a seller I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

I think the sellers often have quite a lot of input there, if they want it, with predictable consequences.

A dozen pictures featuring the same 1980s velour suite are the sort of thing that comes to mind. :eek:

Ivana_Tinkle

Davesnave wrote: »

I think the sellers often have quite a lot of input there, if they want it, with predictable consequences.

A dozen pictures featuring the same 1980s velour suite are the sort of thing that comes to mind. :eek:

I hope we're not buying the same house! That sounds very familiar!

To be fair, I've seen some equally bad photos from conventional agents, although the description of the house we're buying manages to omit several fairly big selling points, which isn't something I've come across elsewhere.

Davesnave

=Ivana Tinkle;52701009]I hope we're not buying the same house! That sounds very familiar!

No, we've already bought the one with the orange sitting room. blood red bedroom and conservatory made from 4"x2" rough cut!;)

nicole3chris

We found House Network in 2006 and thought they were a risk worth trying and maybe too good to be true on price. We 'risked' it and they were true to their word and even more. We sold our first home with them, went on to rent out our second home then sold that one with them. I personally have used them 3 times in the last 6 years. My sister and friend have both used them from my recommendation and too were extremely impressed. I have recommended House Network to friends looking to sell and rent their homes. I can't fault them on their customer service or prices. They took 42 photos of my 3 bed home so the viewers really knew what they were coming to see, I personally feel it put the standard estate agent to shame! You get your appointments emailed to you and so does the viewer, get your own website to check your stats with a list of your viewers, their feedback and any offers you've had. Just above and beyond any 'normal' agent and a lot cheaper! I still continue to recommend when buying and renting houses comes up in conversation, in fact I just forwarded your link to a friend on facebook only this morning!

Davesnave

nicole3chris wrote: »

I just forwarded your link to a friend on facebook only this morning!

How splendid.....and you have never posted here before.....

You should meet our friend Scranage. You have much in common.