Using an online estate agent

Surrey_EA

Jhoney wrote: »

EAs in London move around all the time too! And that includes from company to company so 'local knowledge' can be a bit hit and miss.

Agreed, but one guy being a 'local expert' on north Hampshire and all of Surrey? Come on....

Jhoney_2

Surrey_EA wrote: »

Agreed, but one guy being a 'local expert' on north Hampshire and all of Surrey? Come on....

Agreed, simply the same old sales/marketing bluster that they are typically all capable of.

I only need an 'expert' in the service being offered to me regarding selling my property or professionalism re my purchase. Returned calls, clear information, factual details and liaising with interested parties.

Last year, I went on a viewing with a family member. It was supposed to be a scheduled appointment viewing and was booked as such. On arrival it was clear this was anything but with a queue outside and more hovering inside the hallway. No sign of EA...for 30minutes but in fact 1hour late!

He was drenched in tobacco smoke, had no property details to hand out and was very short with someone who opened a kitchen cupboard!

This is not the EA experience I want myself/my viewers to experience. Additionally, I have had damage done to my property during viewings (scratches to cast iron fireplaces) with EA adamant he was there all along....

I have the before and after viewings to prove - they also let people walk around in their shoes, which was expressly prohibited and yet there were footprints all over the kitchen which I asked them to come and see for themselves.

It's not for me, but some see the merit and they pay accordingly. As OP asked the question, I only wish to give a perspective and the weighing up is for them to decide.

If I hear or indeed have personal experiences that reveal shoddiness from the OEAs, I will be sure to bring them to the forum just the same.

martin1959

We exchanged today. We were meant to exchange last Friday, but there have been numerous issues, and there are only 3 in the chain!!


I spoke to our buyer today (FTB below them) and he said the only reason we exchanged today was because of our EA... his EA complained about her, saying she was like a rotwieller who kept ringing him and annoying his staff.


The buyers EA was Haart EA's who are charging our buyer 2%. Both our buyer and the FTB below were persuaded by Haart to use 'their' solicitor, one of these online solicitors miles from either.


We used a local solicitor to sell ours who charged a flat fee of £495 plus disbursements. We could call him any time, we could drop in and collect any documents, sign, and return on the same day.


I would only ever use a local solicitor. You actually get A SOLICITOR. With an online outfit you use a clerical assistant and the actual solicitor only checks the file prior to exchange.


Our EA fee on £295k is £3500 and they worked for every penny it.

Jhoney_2

martin1959 wrote: »

We exchanged today. We were meant to exchange last Friday, but there have been numerous issues, and there are only 3 in the chain!!


I spoke to our buyer today (FTB below them) and he said the only reason we exchanged today was because of our EA... his EA complained about her, saying she was like a rotwieller who kept ringing him and annoying his staff.

You or your solicitor could have done this though.

The buyers EA was Haart EA's who are charging our buyer 2%. Both our buyer and the FTB below were persuaded by Haart to use 'their' solicitor, one of these online solicitors miles from either.

This is an optional OEA service, you do not have to.

We used a local solicitor to sell ours who charged a flat fee of £495 plus disbursements. We could call him any time, we could drop in and collect any documents, sign, and return on the same day.


I would only ever use a local solicitor. You actually get A SOLICITOR. With an online outfit you use a clerical assistant and the actual solicitor only checks the file prior to exchange.

That could be the case (and in fact in most cases). As I have stated in previous post to OP, I wouldn't use OEA for this (or one recommended by any EA) and would also use one on the panel of my (selected) Lender.

Our EA fee on £295k is £3500 and they worked for every penny it.

If speaking to your EA 3 times a day (as I think you mentioned elsewhere) and them badgering your chain on your behalf equates to value for money to you, that's great. I prefer to pay 2.5k less and make a few calls myself so less is left to hoping that I get a great EA that exceeds my expectations.

Glad it worked out for you though !- not all EAs offer poor service, but they all charge much more than an OEA so not a hard choice in London.

Majestic12

Maybe things are changing. You might have heard of Purple Bricks (online-based estate agency) and they have recently done national TV adverts.

Their ratings on Trust Pilot are quite phenomenal, considering the reputation of estate agents! Most of the reviews comment on the prices being very competitive and their customer service and knowledge.

I mean if more of those online agents do keep popping up, it would force the bigger high-street agents to become more competitive.

P.S. I dont work for purple bricks, but thought of them first when I first clicked on this topic.