(Cheap) Internet Only Estate Agents - worth it?

Redcoat

Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) using the newer estate agents that generally trade only online and charge low, flat fees?

My partner thinks one may be worth a go as our house is a very 'straight forward' offer (e.g. extended 3 bed semi in a desirable area in the south east). About five agents have now said they will be able to sell it very easily, so he thinks perhaps we just need to get it with someone who will put it on Rightmove/Zoopla and save ourselves around £4k.

I am a bit more cautious and worry these types of agents may be painful to deal with, especially if there are hiccups along the way as there tends to be with chains etc.

Any experience or views you can offer, please?

fed_up_and_stressed

Currently using housenetwork for a house sale couldn't be happier with them. They have done everything they said they would for us (hopefully due to shortly exchange). Happy to recommend them.


compared to a previous sale using a local agent at 3 times the cost. Seems there are a lot of unhappy people using purplebricks on another thread on here

Cat2011

I used eMoov. Had to do everything myself, but saved 2 grand. So depends whether you want an easy life or to spend as little as possible. I had to write the advert and show all the people round. The photographer was excellent.

eddddy

I guess the standard arguments include...

- A traditional EA who negotiates with buyers might be able to persuade a buyer to offer an extra £5k.

- A traditional EA might put more effort into reassuring a buyer, when a survey shows up problems - and preventing them from walking away/reducing their offer.

- A commission based EA has the same goal as you. You both want to get the sale to exchange.

But if you get a keen, efficient, businesslike buyer for a problem-free property - on online agent would save you a big chunk of cash.

And there are really good traditional EAs, and really bad ones.

And nobody can ever be sure if they would have got a better deal with a traditional EA instead of an online one, or vice versa.

Davesnave

Perhaps we could make the above a standard answer every time this question is asked, which is about once a fortnight.

Redcoat

Yes I understand the basic arguments for and against - I was looking for people's views on specific companies.

Thanks for bringing the Purple Bricks thread to my attention, fed up and stressed - doesn't look great! It looks as though a decent number of people share your experience of housenetwork too, which is reassuring.

Thanks also Cat2011. Yes more than happy to put in some leg work to save a few grand! Although I must admit I didn't realise it stretched to writing your own ad as i haven't had time fully look at what each company offers.

fed_up_and_stressed

Redcoat wrote: »

Yes I understand the basic arguments for and against - I was looking for people's views on specific companies.

Thanks for bringing the Purple Bricks thread to my attention, fed up and stressed - doesn't look great! It looks as though a decent number of people share your experience of housenetwork too, which is reassuring.

Thanks also Cat2011. Yes more than happy to put in some leg work to save a few grand! Although I must admit I didn't realise it stretched to writing your own ad as i haven't had time fully look at what each company offers.

Housenetwork wrote our ad. They came round the following day after we called them took over 20 pictures which all looked great and the ad went live on rightmove the same day they came out to the house.

They also call you once a week if you like, you get a board for the garden included (extra on many online estate agents) and have a 24/7 contact centre - the record for them answering an online ticket from me was 4 yes 4 minutes ! (They also are contactable via online chat or via email as well as the phones and ticket system) when my parents said they were thinking of moving I have told them not to bother with anyone else because I am thrilled with how house network have marketted our home.

We had more viewings in 2 weeks with housenetwork than in 3 months with a local agent.

pinkteapot

To people who have used online agencies, how much have they managed to get your buyer to increase their offer by? Ie gap between their first offer and what they finally bought for. I'm just curious, given the usual argument about local EAs being better negotiators.

I know the answers will be slightly meaningless as it also depends on how much the buyer plays hard-ball, and some buyers start silly low and don't mind going up, so you'd need a large data set to really see whether local does better than online or vice versa, but still curious.

fed_up_and_stressed

pinkteapot wrote: »

To people who have used online agencies, how much have they managed to get your buyer to increase their offer by? Ie gap between their first offer and what they finally bought for. I'm just curious, given the usual argument about local EAs being better negotiators.

I know the answers will be slightly meaningless as it also depends on how much the buyer plays hard-ball, and some buyers start silly low and don't mind going up, so you'd need a large data set to really see whether local does better than online or vice versa, but still curious.

We accepted £6k more than one of the local property "experts" valued it at and exactly what 2 other local agents valued it at using housenetwork. I don't feel we are getting less using an online firm, taking into account their low fees we actually will end up with more money in our pocket!

jaydeeuk1

I have a thread running here about visum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/70304454#Comment_70304454

Last post was me being a bit worried about lack of interest, but after the weekend we've now had some.

Visum afaik is the cheapest way of getting on to rightmove/zoopla etc and its basically a £100 gamble, but if it pays off (means I can accept a good grand or two less than what I'd accept with estate agent)

Only issue is the way contact details need the interested party to click on a confirmation email. The website itsself is excellent, no issues at all with how easy it is to list etc, updating your advert is reflected within 20 minutes on rightmove and zoopla.

ellie27

We used an online agent, they were based in Glasgow. They came round, put 'for sale' board up, took about 30 pics, emailed me the pics and the 'marketing garb' for the ad. I ok'd, let them know of any amendments I wanted and I selected the best pics.

The ad was on Rightmove within the next day or so. Plenty viewers. I got an email with feedback from every viewing the next day after each viewing. They called me with offers, they negotiated up for me, accepted £4k above their first offer.

I paid £500 including VAT. I sold for £2k more than what the high street agents thought I would get for it, so I was happy with that.

Saved myself around £1600.

I would happily use them again.