Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre restrictions

Aiberdeen

In Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire the Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre seems to have the monopoly in selling property due to their restrictions. In Scotland we are now using more of online estate agents such as Zoopla and Rightmove etc, through EA like Purple Bricks, etc. but the market for online EA is still mostly down south and further south than the north east of Scotland.
However, although Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth property centres allow owners to sell using their centres ALONGSIDE Zoopla and Rightmove etc. Aberdeen is still stuck in the dark ages and leaves sellers with the choice of using them OR online estate agents who use Zoopla and Rightmove. I feel this lessens chances of a succesful and quicker sale because we only have one platform to use (ASPC) instead of both online and high street estate agents/solicitors whereas if sellers had more than one option, it could help the property market IMO by covering both angles
What do others think and is there any way to get around this? ASPC lay down the law which seems like a monopoly to me. If other property centres in Scotland can go with the flow and allow online EA too why can't ABERDEEN??

googler

It's not a choice between ASPC and "online", it's a choice between ASPC and non-solicitor Estate Agents (who may well be high-street operations).

There's no point in putting your property on Zoopla or Rightmove if nobody looks there. If there's few Aberdeenshire properties to be found there, nobody will look at them.

Aiberdeen

Incorrect. There are few properties on Rightmove and Zoopla BECAUSE we are restricted from listing on there if we have it on ASPC not the other way around. Other property centres allow listings on both

Caz3121

If someone was buying in Aberdeen would they not look in both places
ASPC for those being advertised/marketed by Solicitors and Zoopla/Rightmove for estate agents?
When looking (Edinburgh not Aberdeen) we still used both as many properties on Zoopla/Rightmove were not on ESPC as they were agents not solicitors

Nebulous2

I pay less attention to anything not on ASPC. I doubt if ASPC are allowed to say you can't be on zoopla.



I've just done a search. Here's the same house on zoopla and ASPC.



https://www.aspc.co.uk/search/property/368935/22-Patey-Road/Ellon


https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/50118702?search_identifier=1b45186bfb3c7c847716073a49dcd92b


For some reason zoopla dpesn't give the house number.

Caz3121

Nebulous2 wrote: »

I've just done a search. Here's the same house on zoopla and ASPC.

looks like it is listed with Solicitors on ASPC and Estate Agents on Zoopla...I guess that was to get it listed on both (extra costs)...wonder how they work out who gets the seller commission...

Aiberdeen

Caz3121 wrote: »

If someone was buying in Aberdeen would they not look in both places
ASPC for those being advertised/marketed by Solicitors and Zoopla/Rightmove for estate agents?
When looking (Edinburgh not Aberdeen) we still used both as many properties on Zoopla/Rightmove were not on ESPC as they were agents not solicitors

Yes - people would look on both ASPC and Zoopla and Rightmove, but if they are on Aberdeen SPC they are not on the others because they restrict it, and I think they should be on both just like other property centres do. Most people up in NE Scotland use ASPC only because they get the most coverage due to them restricting EAs from advertising the same property. Although people can get better deals to sell their properties with online AEs they are restricted to using one or the other in NE Scotland and the ASPC has the monopoly, because of the fact that people HAVE to use them if they want a better coverage. They do not have much of a choice. Solicitors fees are astronomical and it is in everyone's best interests to use all outlets to sell your property, but we are not allowed to up here in NE Scotland.

googler

So, given the example provided above, which clearly does not correspond to the scenario you outline, it would appear that someone with the will to do so CAN get on other sites as well as ASPC, as long as they hire a non-solicitor firm as well as the ASPC firm.

Is there anywhere you can point to the restriction in writing? Is it on the ASPC website somewhere?

Aiberdeen

The solicitor you are selling through tells you that it is not possible to do this and if queried at ASPC they tell you the same but cannot seem to explain why.
It is on the ASPC website under FAQ. I tried to post a link here to the info but was not allowed due to being a new member

googler

Aiberdeen wrote: »

It is on the ASPC website under FAQ. I tried to post a link here to the info but was not allowed die to being a new member

https://www.aspc.co.uk/information/faq/

All this says is that you can only get your property on ASPC through a solicitor firm. Says nothing about forbidding advertising elsewhere.

"We've put together answers to the most frequently asked question below. For any other concerns please get in touch.

How do I advertise my property with ASPC?

Advertising your property with ASPC is only available through a firm of solicitors. Please contact your solicitor who will be able to help you. For a list of all solicitor firms that are members of ASPC including their contact details please click here.

Why join myASPC?

As a myASPC member, you can:

Create personalised searches and receive notifications every time a matching property comes on. Save your favourite properties and share them with your friends and family. Receive real time updates to properties you’re interested in. View Home Reports. To create an account, simply go to myASPC.

How do I re-open/re-instate an account?

If there has been no sign of activity on your account for more than 3 months, your account will be suspended and you will no longer receive notifications of new properties on the market or updates on any properties you may be watching in your wishlist.

Don't worry, if you still want to be an active member of myASPC and wish to continue receiving notifications, simply login to your account. If you need further assistance please contact ASPC.

Home Reports - What are they?

From December 1, 2008, homes for sale have had to be marketed with a Home Report. This is a pack consisting of three documents: a Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire."

eilidhcatriona

Caz3121 wrote: »

If someone was buying in Aberdeen would they not look in both places
ASPC for those being advertised/marketed by Solicitors and Zoopla/Rightmove for estate agents?
When looking (Edinburgh not Aberdeen) we still used both as many properties on Zoopla/Rightmove were not on ESPC as they were agents not solicitors

Yes - I’m Aberdonian, we bought our flat here a couple of years ago. ASPC was the main site to look at, but we kept an eye on RightMove and Zoopla as well, precisely for this reason. Just as well too - the flat we bought was only on RM as it was marketed by McEwen Fraser, who despite having an Aberdeen phone number don’t have a physical presence here (or they didn’t in 2016), I think they’re a southern bunch based in Edinburgh.