Use an estate agent or not?

ellie27

Looking to put our house up for sale in the next week or so.

We know what the 3 identical houses in our street have sold for over the last few months. 2 of the houses sold within 7-10 days of being on market (by estate agent)

I am convinced we can sell it by getting just the ad on rightmove (£75 + VAT for first 4 wks, then £29 + VAT for each extra 4 wks after) eg if we sell in the first 2 months it would cost £125 in fees.

I did have estate agents round today and yesterday to see what their valuation and fees would be. We have a known agent who will charge 0.8% fees on completion, plus homereport £400 plus marketing £300.

With ad on rightmove only - sell in 2 months = £125
Estate agents = £1877

Of course, home report is ontop of both the above fees.

My husband is not so sure.....he is thinking now maybe we could give it a shot and give it 2 months and if nothing, then take on an agent?

Any thoughts

Gwhiz

Only you can decide.

chrisrsmith

Hi

We were having the same dilemma just recently.

We got costs from local agents plus valuations then looked at online services.

We decided to use HouseNetwork and we are so PLEASED we did - absolutely brilliant service. Very fast at taking pictures and creating our details on Rightmove, Zoopla etc and their communications regarding viewings, feedback, offers etc was excellent.

We had offers within 5 days and went to best and final within 2.5 weeks. Lots of viewings, excellently arranged and with the portal to log into and see all our and viewers details etc., it was so easy.

I have a reference affiliate number if you want it - gets you a 5% discount - I didn;t have one of these but used them anyway. PM me if you want it.

I was so pleased with them, we are also using their conveyancing side too - again, 10/10.

We sold in MK170SB if you want to look at the property, quality of pictures, details etc - be our guest!

dominoman

A bit different I know, but I've just used an online only letting agent for my flat. Cheap as chips and a fantastic service. All the info I want is there online, updated immediately. I called them with a question and got immediate response, plus a follow-up email. I got an offer to let it within one day.

A million times better than an estate agent hassling me, then not turning up on time, doing me over with fees etc.

I'd go self-service any day. Sorry estate agents, but I think you are going the same way as the high street travel agents. Byeeeee.

westernpromise

There are 2 risks and one hassle from not using an agent.

One is the wrong price. You'll save 2% of the price but what if you're selling it 10% too cheap?

Two is timewasters. There are people who spend their lives messing sellers about and who never actually get the money together to buy. Agents know them and filter them out.

Three is hassle. I sold a flat last year that had 30 viewings and 6 repeat viewings, almost all during the week. Is it convenient for you to arrange and conduct 50 viewings (36 above plus 14 timewasters you didn't filter out or who don't show)? What if something goes wrong, will you know how to resolve it?

The advantage is really only the cost saving but maybe even that's illusory. If I were buying a house and there were no agent I'd either underbid or I'd want a discount to reflect the money the vendor's saving.

chrisrsmith

westernpromise wrote: »

There are 2 risks and one hassle from not using an agent.

One is the wrong price. You'll save 2% of the price but what if you're selling it 10% too cheap?

Two is timewasters. There are people who spend their lives messing sellers about and who never actually get the money together to buy. Agents know them and filter them out.

Three is hassle. I sold a flat last year that had 30 viewings and 6 repeat viewings, almost all during the week. Is it convenient for you to arrange and conduct 50 viewings (36 above plus 14 timewasters you didn't filter out or who don't show)? What if something goes wrong, will you know how to resolve it?

The advantage is really only the cost saving but maybe even that's illusory. If I were buying a house and there were no agent I'd either underbid or I'd want a discount to reflect the money the vendor's saving.

Simple….

Use 3 high street estate agents to come and value and oh btw - you will of course have a very good idea s to how much it is worth! I took the average of the 3 (in far they were all quite similar) BUT sold at £6K above the highest valuation

Using House Network, you set the pre-requisites for people wishing to view your property - i.e. sold, at least under offer, mortgage agreed in principle and of course cash buyers. Note - cash buyers means nothing these days, those who think they can buy cheaper as they have cash are living in the dark ages.

I had 16 viewers and one 'no show' BUT they had a family crisis and came a couple of days later - need to be realistic!

I have no loyalty to online agents and up until this current move - always used high st agents (8 moves), but now, I would NEVER waste my time of monies with high street agents. Nice folk but, sorry time, efficiency and cost savings have moved on. Go for value for money, simple execution and ease/transparency to the whole viewing/selling/conveyancing process :j

googler

Since you mention a Home Report, it seems you're in Scotland.

There are some parts of Scotland where Rightmove has little or no presence, and if you're not listed in the local Solicitor's Property Centre, you're invisible. Aberdeen is a case in point - count the properties on RM, versus those on the ASPC.

The only way to get into the SPC is to hire a local solicitor to market your property for you. You need a solicitor anyway to handle the legal side of the transaction.....

Generally speaking, where are you selling?

ellie27

Yes, I am in Scotland.

I am in East End of Glasgow where every home (or at least I think!) are advertised on rightmove.

I have never used SPC to look for properties myself and have not come across a home that is up for sale on SPC but not on rightmove (I mean all the homes for sale in my local area)