Selling Property Online

[B17NNS]

My mum is about to sell her house with a view to downsizing.

Is it worth trying to sell it online ourselves?

Anyone know of any sites where it is worth putting an ad?

Thanks in advance

Matt

[Prof Higgins]

There is a glut of "sell your own home for £100" websites out there but not sure any are any good or if indeed anyone really considers looking at them when buying. It is a good idea in principal but one of them needs to gain critical mass (a bit like an autotrader for houses) before it would become valid. As it stands once they have your money I see no real reason for them to do much marketing other than stick the pics up on their site and hope people come and visit.

Having said all that if your mother is not in a hurry then a private sale can save £££ so could be worth a try - also it avoids having to deal with the [Dons flame proof trousers] the bar stewards that are estate agents. Other options than websites are old fashioned papers, both national (Sunday Times) and local, from what I have heard these can provide quite a healthy hit rate. Pricing will be all important but this is true regardless of the way you sell.

[pdV6]

As the prof. says, you have to consider who will look online to buy a house. Most people will register with local estate agents, so that's where the biggest market will be.

[B17NNS]

As I thought.

The main problem seems to be that there isnt any major sites yet that prospective purchasers always head towards.

Have no objection to using an estate agent and don't think that all of them are out to rip you off (they have a business to run after all - marketing, staff, premises etc).

Might try a few small ads in the local papers pointing to a website first.

Thanks

[mutt k]

Have a think about security as well before you try to avoid using an agent. Don't know where you are, or how old/able your mum is, but is she going to be happy allowing strangers in to the house to show them around without anyone else being there?

[timmy30]

You can use NethousePrices.com and Rightmove.com to get the actual sold prices and current asking prices of similar properties in your area to at least have an idea of 'ball park' where she should pitch the price.

[NJW 77]

mutt k said:

Have a think about security as well before you try to avoid using an agent. Don't know where you are, or how old/able your mum is, but is she going to be happy allowing strangers in to the house to show them around without anyone else being there?

Very good point