Traditional Estate Agent or Purple Bricks or similar

MrsPorridge

Hi,


Preparing to put our house on the market in a few months time - just wondering whether to use Purple Bricks (or similar), but feeling a bit unsure.


Has anyone used them and what do they think?


Or, shall we go the traditional estate agent?


We will be buying in another part of the country - and I am thinking of contacting agents in that area to ask for suitable properties as I have a few criteria - long driveway, close to transport etc., which isn't always clear when I look on Right Move or Zoopla - so maybe I've answered my own question!!

quantumlobster

High-demand, straightforward property? Simple transaction? Experienced buyer/seller? Online can work.

For all other circumstances, a traditional EA.

Ridgerunner

Having just finished a tortuous year - long process with Purplebricks I would say "avoid". I would use a traditional estate agent every time to sell a property from now on. For a lower - value property I would not have ended up paying much more (if anything!) and would have had I believe a far better experience. The viewing bookings process received negative reviews from some of those who viewed my house and I did in fact lose several viewings due to late cancellations from the agent or even not turning up on a few occasions. One of the agents who conducted viewings also had an attitude that wasn't appreciated by some of those who viewed my property. I also found that the incentive to sell the house was far less for PB because they are paid regardless.

lisyloo

I am selling with a traditional EA and I have been very pleased with the service because


1) They already had a buyer on their books
2) They know the area, block, block manager and have been able to visit a few times when I wasn't able to e.g. to pick up important post.
3) They gave us advice on the updating to the property we needed to do knowing that particular market.
4) They had a high st presence and used newspapers (as well as all the on-line portals) which was important for our target market.
5) They knew what they were doing and were able to sort any issues quickly.
6) They had a good relationship with the solicitor already.
7) They are highly motivated as they don't get paid until it works.

haras_nosirrah

I have heard that some solicitors charge more if purple bricks are involved as their workload is higher. Purple bricks are a reactive agent which means they won't do anything unless someone else tells them to. They don't care how long it takes to sell your house as they have already been paid.

I would also add with two online agents going to the wall in the last month I would proceed with caution. Those vendors have paid a company to sell who have now gone bust so they have to start again with a traditional agent meaning their money paid to the online agent is gone and they will have to pay the new agent again

This would give me cause for concern https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/13/first-half-losses-double-purplebricks-online-estate-agent-housing-market-stalls

Beeper

Ridgerunner wrote: »

Having just finished a tortuous year - long process with Purplebricks I would say "avoid". I would use a traditional estate agent every time to sell a property from now on. For a lower - value property I would not have ended up paying much more (if anything!) and would have had I believe a far better experience. The viewing bookings process received negative reviews from some of those who viewed my house and I did in fact lose several viewings due to late cancellations from the agent or even not turning up on a few occasions. One of the agents who conducted viewings also had an attitude that wasn't appreciated by some of those who viewed my property. I also found that the incentive to sell the house was far less for PB because they are paid regardless.

This was my experience as a first time buyer. At least four properties i wanted to view, I wasn’t able to due to poor booking system and cancelled appointments. One was cancelled at very short notice after being rearranged twice, even though it was quite clear I was VERY interested in that property. I even considered pushing a note through the door to contact the vendor directly. Viewed another house with them and offer accepted. The attitude of the agent (or ‘local property expert’) was awful after that. I was also told they encourage the vendor and buyer to communicate directly throughout the process as it’s faster if one party chases the other directly for things. That sale fell through for other reasons but I stopped looking at houses sold via Purplebricks after.

Tridentmorph

Traditional agent every time for many of the reasons above. I work in property (not an estate agent) and as soon as we see them or their ilk involved we know fall through rate much higher, no chain management or incentive to save deals and everything takes much longer. Why anyone would try and save a thousand or two on what is most people's largest investment and probably get less on the negotiated price baffles me, use a professional to get the best return and the smallest amount of misery.

lessonlearned

Agree....traditional agent every time. Yes you might pay more but you get what you pay for. And don't forget with a bit of luck a traditional EA might get you a higher price which would help offset their fee.

lisyloo

Oh and we got full asking price which yes more than offsets their fee.

MrsPorridge

Thanks all you have actually confirmed what I thought and feel more comfortable with.

Goldust

I'm in a similar position but I'm not at all keen on PurpleBricks, etc for some of the reasons given above.


Would it be better to approach the agents directly or does a site like getagent yield a better rate due to increased competition?