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Home Buyers: do online EA put you off buying?

car0line123
Posts: 104 Forumite
I need to sell my property, and thinking about using an online AE.
(for cost obviously, but also because I am not really impressed by local AE. I have registered to view a couple of properties already, and they were not terribly pleasant, so if they are like this with a buyer, what will they be like with people interested in my property!)
Some people advised that they would be wary about online AE when buying and would be put off buying through them.
What would you think?
(for cost obviously, but also because I am not really impressed by local AE. I have registered to view a couple of properties already, and they were not terribly pleasant, so if they are like this with a buyer, what will they be like with people interested in my property!)
Some people advised that they would be wary about online AE when buying and would be put off buying through them.
What would you think?
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Comments
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Personally it wouldn't worry me. If the hosue was right I wouldn't worry about the estate agent, unless they were extremely incompetent that I thought they would mess up the purchase.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
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It would depend which one.
Most are fine, but there are a few 'quick sale' agencies that tend to get hard-to-sell properties, which immediately tars anyone using them with the same brush.
I might still have a peek though, because desperate or clueless sellers will, occasionally, offer a genuine bargain.
So, I suppose my answer is, 'No, not a problem.'0 -
I saw Sarah Beeny's programme on this on TV last night, and while I can't help but get the hots for a girl who wields a big drill as well as she does in past progs, I was unimpressed by what I saw as a (none too subtle) puff for online sites such as her own one.
She featured two wannabe sellers;
-one couple who spent £10k on last-minute refurbishment (decor, bathroom, carpets...), then put their house, which agents had valued at £750k before the revamp, up for £725, and, unsurprisingly sold on the 1st view. So how does that represent a result? They saved £7k of selling fees, but missed out on £25k+...?
- another guy who was convinced his £350k house was worth £415k... but, again unsurprisingly barely got a view and never sold even after a price-cut?
But its a free country0 -
car0line123 wrote: »...
Some people advised that they would be wary about online AE when buying and would be put off buying through them.
...
I'd say it depends on who you see as your target purchaser.
Without wanting to make too many generalisations:
- Some buyers (perhaps 'typical' MSE forum members) would be happy to buy through an online EA. They would do lots of research online - including the local amenities, schools, train timetables, sold prices etc. But they might also expect value for money (i.e. offers on the low side!)
- Some buyers would prefer a friendly local EA with good local knowledge, who can tell them about local amenities, schools, nearest train station - and suggest how a specific property can be changed, enhanced etc.
- Some buyers like dealing with EAs with sharp suits, liveried minis and branches that look like cocktail bars - because that reflects the world they live in (or would like to live in).
The theory is that 'local' EAs are worth the higher fee because they achieve higher prices. (But some local EAs are useless and some online EAs are useless - so you have to do your research.)0 -
Hi,
I looked into this and actually put in an offer on a house that was advertised with Sarah Beeny's Tepilo. I was very impressed, I phoned the number from Rightmove, went through to a helpful member of staff who arranged a viewing. I went to see the property and was met by a nice seller who showed me round, I created an account with Tepilo, put in a formal offer online and generally it was very streamlined and easy. I definately thought I would give it a try when I could save anywhere between £4000 and £6500 depending on the agent around my area. I think online website Thatched actually allow you list your property with absolutely no upfront fees but you pay say £1000 if you sell instead of £500 upfront or whatever it is.
I really can't see how an online agent would put people off. If I see a nice property on Rightmove i'll just arrange a viewing and go and look at it. The only slight downside I can see is if you are a buyer having to view the property with the seller you maybe slightly less harsh when looking around than you would be with an Estate Agent. On the flip side of you don't like the idea of showing buyers round your home then its probably not for you but for that sort of saving its worth a go.
Thanks0 -
Online EAs don't put me off as they don't usually ask me to see their mortgage advisors before putting an offer!
Online EA also means owners will have to show me the property. Far more useful than EAs not having any clue to any questions about the house!Happiness is buying an item and then not checking its price after a month to discover it was reduced further.0 -
Like all things in life some are good and some are bad. Good agents demonstrably know their market, their buyers and can defend their prices with evidence. They can sort through serious buyers and delusional house hunters with too much time on their hands. They will have good working relationships with local solicitors and surveyors to help unpick any issues once the sale is agreed. They also work for nothing until the sale exchanges. Online agents have to cover a very wide, probably national, area, so you're on your own for market intelligence, local networking, newspaper/magazine advertising. You have to do the leg work knowing nothing of your competition or what your buyer wants when viewing a time to suit them and remain objective about the home you probably love. You have already paid online agent so it really matters not a jot what price you get or if you move at all. It's something of a false economy as it could and usually would cost you in the long run. Either way if they come with spiky hair, orange tan and liveried mini then keep looking!0
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I couldn't give a toss whether they're online or not.
But I would definitely prefer an EA to show me around the property in most cases.
There have sometimes been good viewings with owners, and many more annoying ones - where they don't really give you any space.
But, if I though that the house was the right one, I would put the effort in.
If it was marginal to begin with, then I wouldn't.0 -
I'm in the process of using an online estate agent for a house purchase and it didn't put me off at all.
They've been very quick to come back to me with answers to any questions I have had and the communication has been great.0 -
The only downside is that the sellers are clearly clued up about money saving as they are not throwing thousands away on a high street EA. They may be tough to negotiate with...Je suis sabot...0
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