Online estate agents - how important are first impressions?

missis_amber

Am putting my house on the market. The house is on a street were houses still quickly and in a very good condition. I am confident that I can do the viewings etc so decided to look into online estate agents.
Now I'm beginning to wonder whether the reason why they're so cheap is because they're a bit unprofessional?

First online estate agent - Came to the house and gave me a valuation, was confident that the house would sell quickly and easily. I was happy with the package they were providing. But after the viewing I didn't hear from her for a few days so I rang her myself and said once the gardener had been around she could come and take pictures. It's been 10 days now, no call or contact from her. I know that I can call her myself but I just wanted to see how proactive they were, but seems like they're happy to let me disappear.

Second online estate agent - Call was answered by someone in a call centre who first tried hard to sell me their mortgage service despite me telling him several times that I was porting my mortgage over and I'd spoken to my bank. Then he tried to sell me conveyancing which I said no to. Finally when he tried to book me in an appointment I told him what days and times I was available (I am pretty flexible) he was insistent on booking me in for an appointment that I clearly told him I was not available for. A few days later I get call from the agent and again I tell her I can't make that appointment and she's all like "we can fit in anytime around you". So I say I can do any day and she says 'well I can't do any day before 13 August'. And I said I'll call you back to which she responded 'remember we can do anytime to fit in around you'. And told me she has friends who live near me so if she's visiting them she will just pop around to mine Won't be calling them back again.

Third online estate agent - according to their website you can book an agent valuation on line so I picked the date and time, got a confirmation to say all booked in. Great I thought. Two days later half an hour before I'm expecting the agent to come around I get a call from them saying oh no the appointments on the website aren't real. They've previously had other agents making fake bookings on their site so the appointments online aren't real. Ok. Says sorry agent can't do the time you thought you'd booked (I had rearranged my evening because I was expecting them to come!). He's given me another date and time now so let's see whether that is real. Out of all three they have the most positive reviews so am feeling hopeful.

I've also contacted a high street estate agent. They're the same ones I bought from and were great when the person I was buying from was rather difficult. Their commission is more than I want to pay but honestly I am wondering whether the reason the online estate agents are so cheap is because they aren't as good as the high street agents.
Better to save some money and persevere with online or pay more and feel reassured by the high street?

sal_III

It's very simple, as with most things in life - you get what you pay for. You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

hb2

We sold our house via Purple Bricks last year. The guy we dealt with was very professional and rang us at 8.30pm on a Sunday, just minutes after we pressed the 'sell' button on the website. He also negotiated with our buyers on our behalf (we were given the option of doing it ourselves)

To be fair, things proceeded smoothly with our sale, so I don't know how it would have been if there had been complications. We bought through a high street EA and they were pretty useless when it came to chivvying up our vendors etc.

So, PB worked for us but I suspect the quality of their agents can vary considerably.

todayisagreatday

I used House Network. I also had a high street agent briefly when I left House Network because a few family members said a high street agent would appeal more to the older generation when marketing my bungalow.

I couldn't wait to go back to the online agent who sold my house. So much more efficient, feedback always hear and dealt with two aborted sales (no fault of HNW).

datlex

When I was looking for a property I looked at Rightmove, Zoopla and other sites like that. Then I approached the agents for the properties I was interested in. Some where online agents others local agents.

TamsinC

I used PB for my sale - I researched the agent for my area and looked at his Trust Pilot reviews. He was fabulous. Available almost 24/7 for phone calls, e-mails, messages etc and always answered queries within a few mins.. I paid for conducted viewings as it was convenient for us. I DIDN'T use their conveyancing (so many bad reviews) so had to pay upfront. We've sold a few times this was the best service we have ever had.