Online Estate Agents

Online Estate Agents

Author
Discussion

lukedon

Original Poster:

226 posts

209 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
Anyone have any experience with this?

I'm looking at selling my place and the charges you incur with the high street ones just seems ridiculous for what they do.

wellzee

445 posts

121 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
Do you need to sell quickly? If so, I would use a local agent, who has a database of local buyers and is easily accessible to potential purchasers. If you're just flirting with the idea of selling then there's no harm in trying out an online agent, although bear a few things in mind: 1. You are paying them regardless, you'll only pay a local agent once the house is sold, how confident are you in achieving a quick sale? 2. The agents address on your advert online will be for somewhere completely different to the location of the house, which could make buyers wonder why. 3. Their valuations can be ridiculous (if they even provide that service) as they are unlikely to have local area knowledge. 4. Will the house/area sell itself or are you going to need someone pushing it to find a buyer? An online agent won't do this for you. 5. How much support do you want through the process once you've found a buyer? Again, you'll get a lot more from a local agent.

I personally think a good, local agent is a valuable asset for selling your house, but I agree they don't come cheap (but they also don't get paid until they've seen the process through)

DHE

4,511 posts

190 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
wellzee said:
Do you need to sell quickly? If so, I would use a local agent, who has a database of local buyers and is easily accessible to potential purchasers. If you're just flirting with the idea of selling then there's no harm in trying out an online agent, although bear a few things in mind: 1. You are paying them regardless, you'll only pay a local agent once the house is sold, how confident are you in achieving a quick sale? 2. The agents address on your advert online will be for somewhere completely different to the location of the house, which could make buyers wonder why. 3. Their valuations can be ridiculous (if they even provide that service) as they are unlikely to have local area knowledge. 4. Will the house/area sell itself or are you going to need someone pushing it to find a buyer? An online agent won't do this for you. 5. How much support do you want through the process once you've found a buyer? Again, you'll get a lot more from a local agent.

I personally think a good, local agent is a valuable asset for selling your house, but I agree they don't come cheap (but they also don't get paid until they've seen the process through)
^Well said. A good agent can cover the cost of their fee by being able to negotiate a higher sale price.

wellzee

445 posts

121 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
DHE said:
^Well said. A good agent can cover the cost of their fee by being able to negotiate a higher sale price.
Very true. That should've been number 1 on my list come to think of it!

lukedon

Original Poster:

226 posts

209 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
Thanks a lot guys. I'll go visit some on the weekend then biggrin

This is the first house i've considered selling, so a little lost! The advice is appreciated.

DHE

4,511 posts

190 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
Feel free to ask any questions Luke, been out of the industry for 5 years but spent 18 years selling properties.

lukedon

Original Poster:

226 posts

209 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
quotequote all
I'm just completing on a house to rent out, and about to sell mine, so i'm sure i'll be bombarding you with questions soon!

Thanks a lot for the offer.

jamescodriver

400 posts

193 months

Thursday 5th June 2014
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Hi Luke,

I'm n the business, so if you need any help or advice let me know..

I'm Swansea based.


lukedon

Original Poster:

226 posts

209 months

Saturday 7th June 2014
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Thanks a lot mate.