Advice needed on Estate Agent vs online Estate Agent

wwl

Hoploz wrote: »

I would not use an online agent.

Local agent already has a list of potential viewers on their books to call for viewings prior to advertising, and yes, they will have a relationship with them, knowing what they're looking for and whether they are likely to be interested before they waste your time booking viewings with people who will definitely not buy it..

But if those potential buyers are serious, chances are they will also be regularly checking Zoopla, Rightmove etc.

socmwils23

we used online agent and debated the merits of both. The reasons behind our decision were:

1) most people who are buying use right move zoopla etc

2) our online agent is local to us and we can contact her whenever we need too. We received a bid at 22:00 at night via the internet and she had sent a text within ten minutes asking if we wanted to discuss it.

3) The only difference we could see was either you show people round or an agent does. Most online ones have you do it (with ours it was an optional extra at £120). Having viewed a few houses it was very hit and miss as to what service the "agent" or office boy gave. Some were very good, others terrible.

If someone wants to buy your house they will view it and make an offer regardless of the agent. Get some quotes of both online and local and get a feel for them and see if you could work with them.

Angie_B

I have recently sold my London flat and had the same debate as you regarding online vs high street.

I went high street in the end for numerous reasons (ability to be in to run viewings etc). In my opinion, getting an offer is the easy bit of selling a property, especially in a hot London market.

The harder bit is getting through to exchange/completion and this is where I have to say my EA was worth her weight in gold.

First buyer couldn't get their mortgage sorted out, by which time I had already put in an offer on my next property, as had my vendors and the small chain was complete.

My EAs got my a new buyer within 3 days but it still wasn't smooth sailing. These buyers' solicitors were useless to the point where my EA was speaking daily to their solicitors, their mortgage advisor, my vendors EA and the EA at the top of the chain to sort out problems, push slow moving people and reassure the top of the chain (who were by this time getting a bit antsy) that we were almost there.

I've never used an online EA so cannot say for sure, but if you have anything other than an incredibly easy sale/purchase, will they do everything a high-street EA will in terms of keeping a sale together?

socmwils23

Angie_B wrote: »

I have recently sold my London flat and had the same debate as you regarding online vs high street.

I went high street in the end for numerous reasons (ability to be in to run viewings etc). In my opinion, getting an offer is the easy bit of selling a property, especially in a hot London market.

The harder bit is getting through to exchange/completion and this is where I have to say my EA was worth her weight in gold.

First buyer couldn't get their mortgage sorted out, by which time I had already put in an offer on my next property, as had my vendors and the small chain was complete.

My EAs got my a new buyer within 3 days but it still wasn't smooth sailing. These buyers' solicitors were useless to the point where my EA was speaking daily to their solicitors, their mortgage advisor, my vendors EA and the EA at the top of the chain to sort out problems, push slow moving people and reassure the top of the chain (who were by this time getting a bit antsy) that we were almost there.

I've never used an online EA so cannot say for sure, but if you have anything other than an incredibly easy sale/purchase, will they do everything a high-street EA will in terms of keeping a sale together?

i would argue any "good" estate agent would do so be it local or online. The only difference i have found is the online one doesn't have an office locally for me to go into.

The key i think is finding a "good" one either online or local. There will be poor versions of both and good versions of both. I still say speak to them and choose the one you are most comfortable with.

AlexMac

http://www.which.co.uk/money/mortgages-and-property/guides/how-to-sell-your-house/online-estate-agents/

zheng

Hi Sturgeon,

I have sent you a personal message.

Please read the message and get back to me if you would like a further discussion.

Thanks,
Zheng

Dird

zheng wrote: »

I have sent you a personal message.

你太坏了. Post in public

Hoploz wrote: »

Local agent already has a list of potential viewers on their books to call for viewings prior to advertising, and yes, they will have a relationship with them, knowing what they're looking for and whether they are likely to be interested before they waste your time booking viewings with people who will definitely not buy it.

Putting it online will more likely avoid wasted viewings. One time an EA called about a property that just came in. No photos at all. Although it ended up being quite nice I didn't bid because of the location. If it was put online (which an online EA could do) I could have discarded the house without wasting my fuel & the vendors time.

Angie_B

socmwils23 wrote: »

i would argue any "good" estate agent would do so be it local or online. The only difference i have found is the online one doesn't have an office locally for me to go into.

The key i think is finding a "good" one either online or local. There will be poor versions of both and good versions of both. I still say speak to them and choose the one you are most comfortable with.

Indeed. I would agree.

However, I would say you need to be aware of what services you are signing up for when using an online estate agent. Are you getting full sales progression or are you getting an offer through the door and that is it?

I am not against using an online EA at all, I would certainly consider it again the next time I sell - but people need to look beyond the low upfront price and check what exactly it is they are paying for and that they are getting value for money on it and not just a cheap price.

That is the point I am trying to make. As long as you go into it with your eyes open and do your research, then there is no reason you cannot save money using an online EA.

sturgeon

I've instructed House Network and so far, so good. They're coming next Saturday to both take photos and provide a valuation (could have been sooner but I requested Saturday). Customer service so far has been very strong so I do hope once it's actually live and online, both I get some interest plus their support is what it needs to be!

Taucher

My Dad has just sold through Tepilo, the online estate agency. He was very pleased with it. The house sold quickly and the pictures that the Tepilo person took were really really good.

My Dad decided to go for an online agent after he had 3 agencies round to look at the house. When he asked them where most of their customers come from, they ALL said "Rightmore or Zoopla". One said 95% of people see the house online first. It makes total sense to use an online agent.