Do agents with multiple branches sell houses in other areas? And is the market picking up?

Dogen

MobileSaver said:

The last estate agent I used didn't even have a single branch; they were online only so did advertise on Rightmove and I easily sold my last place.

Was it a local agent who didn't have an office but knew the area, or a national agent like PurpleBricks?

Dogen

GDB2222 said

Trendy young person can’t afford the accommodation they need in the trendy area, so they might be willing to look further afield. 

That's kind of what I was hoping. Which is why I was wondering if I had an agent with one foot in both areas, whether they would sell in both areas, if that makes sense. Would the one in the trendy area say "OK, you want a three-bed here but can't stretch to it, but they are cheaper in this less funky place. Look at this one from our branch in Unfunkytown..." Or am I living in a fantasy world where estate agents actually have contact with their clients instead of just being mailed by potential buyers from RM?

Edi81

I registered via RM to view a property. Got called or emailed by another branch about viewing a property they had. That was the one I bought and I never saw the original house!

mi-key

Why would the funky young people not just buy a house in the funky area and then redecorate themselves? Funky trendy decorating doesn't make a house in the wrong are more saleable, but may put off people who want something more plain or traditional 

Grizebeck

Maybe post a link for a critique?

Dogen

mi-key said:

Why would the funky young people not just buy a house in the funky area and then redecorate themselves? Funky trendy decorating doesn't make a house in the wrong are more saleable, but may put off people who want something more plain or traditional 

I don't know is the answer to your first question. But I know my area is cheaper than the funky area and has plenty going for it. All the houses round here seem to be decorated grey, silver and black. My house isn't like that. I spoke to my estate agent who said that people tend to judge by the decor instead of what they could do with the space, even though that is plainly daft.

All I am wondering is whether one branch sells for another. I just don't know. Is there any advantage in being with an agent who has branches all over the place?

ArbitraryRandom

Grizebeck said:

Maybe post a link for a critique?

I was thinking this - cheapest house in a bracket not getting any views on RM can mean the house is too expensive... or that the pictures are poor (either poorly taken or the house badly staged). 

Either way, if the OP is willing to share a link to the listing we can maybe help with some objective opinions and tips?

mi-key

Dogen said:

mi-key said:

Why would the funky young people not just buy a house in the funky area and then redecorate themselves? Funky trendy decorating doesn't make a house in the wrong are more saleable, but may put off people who want something more plain or traditional 

I don't know is the answer to your first question. But I know my area is cheaper than the funky area and has plenty going for it. All the houses round here seem to be decorated grey, silver and black. My house isn't like that. I spoke to my estate agent who said that people tend to judge by the decor instead of what they could do with the space, even though that is plainly daft.

All I am wondering is whether one branch sells for another. I just don't know. Is there any advantage in being with an agent who has branches all over the place?

Its all about the location though really. If an area is seen as being trendy and funky, then the people will want to move there whatever the house is like I suppose.  

I used to know someone who was quite an extreme goth. He painted the living room and master bedroom in his house completely black, ceiling as well ). He had a hell of a time trying to sell it even though the house itself was fine, and could have been transformed with a couple of days work.

It does sound like your area is quite conservative, so it could be the decor is putting people off viewing. Where I live is very much like that ( lots of older and retired people ) and I don't think funky would really go down well here

Dogen

mi-key said:

Its all about the location though really. If an area is seen as being trendy and funky, then the people will want to move there whatever the house is like I suppose.  

I used to know someone who was quite an extreme goth. He painted the living room and master bedroom in his house completely black, ceiling as well ). He had a hell of a time trying to sell it even though the house itself was fine, and could have been transformed with a couple of days work.

It does sound like your area is quite conservative, so it could be the decor is putting people off viewing. Where I live is very much like that ( lots of older and retired people ) and I don't think funky would really go down well here

Your friend should have posted their house on On The Darket!

This is quite a conservative area with a small C. But short of throwing all the furniture away and changing all the rooms, there;s not much I can do to change the house further, though I did think about new carpets. It;s not that funky really, but it doesn't fit the template round here. 

Singlemummy_2

As a buyer I can confirm an agent with multiple branches is marketing all properties on their books. I’ve spoken to different branches about properties I’ve viewed and also the one I sold. They had access to all notes and where I want dealing with a specific person at my local office they just passed on the message or gave me an update.

Have you considered putting the house neutral? Have you asked the agent you are with why they think they aren’t getting viewings? Have you asked if there is any interest in your property at all?

I have not once stepped foot into an agents Branch, all searches have been online mainly by Rightmove. The agent marketing the property has no impact on whether I view or not