hi, As per title really - should I go for a internet estate or my local high street one? I'm after seeking my house and moving area. I work away from home so would probably give my Father power of attorney over it anyhow. Ive heard very little good reports over Internet estate agents, and wondered what others think? Thanks, Ian.
I have no direct experience and nor do I want any! But I have noticed around here when I take my dog for walk, that two houses had the Purple Brick for sale sign take route. They were both replaced by local estate agent signs and they had 'sold' signs a few weeks later. The issue that I would be careful of is that those who ask for their money up front have no incentive to sell the property whereas a commission only deal gives them every incentive. I would say sell it yourself but it sounds like you are not going to be about very much.
I buy and sell quite a few properties and always use the local agents. I won't pay more than 1% and have just got that down to .75% with my local agent due to repeat business. When my buyers have used Purple Bricks etc for their related sales they have been a nightmare to get hold of and do as little as possible to help the chain along. My local agents are paid commission so they are on the case the whole time as they want their money. That's purely my experience and I'm sure someone will be along shortly saying how much they saved using an internet estate agent. Internet estate agents you pay upfront as well but most local agents are no sale no fee.
overheard a conversation at work in the kitchen....someonw was moaning about purple bricks saying they could never get hold of them and were really difficult to talk to...
I think alot also depends on area, type of house, condition etc etc. If it's likely to be a quite quick seller, why pay an estate agent. If you think it's gonna be a hard sell for whatever reason and it's gonna take an age, then let an agent take the flack.
I was thinking of buying a place and then selling it through Tepilo just to see if Sarah Beany would come and wave her wakkas at me
An on line agency might seem an attractive deal at the outset but would they know the area very well? Likewise buyers feel assured if they can turn up at an office to talk to an agent. They are also handy when negotiations are at play so the buyer/ seller doesn't need to apply pressure first hand and things don't get personal. When agents get to a certain size they have the power to manipulate the market, sometimes in your favour and sometimes not. We have agreed .75% with our local agent, it's not been an easy ride but I'm glad I haven't had to do all the work. Just gone down the road of PoA with my mum, but she is 81.
Local, check their websites and info first though. Bought and sold a few recently and the difference between agents is huge. Check quality photos, floorplans, response to phone calls to office. This should be starting point. In the process of completing house sale now. Somewhere in the chain there is an online agent. Nobody can get any response ftom them. Get what you pay for to some extent. Due to repeat business I managed some discount.
Have experienced both quite recently. I would go local and haggle hard.Got mine down to .75% My PB rep changed 3 times during course of sale.Never got the feeling they were doing anything tbh. Mate put an offer in on a house up with PB which was turned down,had a think then went back to up the offer to be told it was sold.No contact back from PB to an obviously interested party Just my recent experience and I managed to sell via both parties on different properties
Thanks all for the replies, that tallies much with what I've heard elsewhere. I only bought the place two years ago so I'll try the estate agent I bought it through first!
I use visible local agents for mine. Sometimes I use an agent in a neighbouring slightly more affluent area ( which still covers mine) & attract buyers who cannot afford their original location, but can see the value in my property by compromising a little. Once I’ve established fair market value, I agree 0.75-1% up to asking & usually 5% for anything over ( sometimes more). Keeps them well motivated & you are essentially giving them a slice of cake which was never in your fridge.
When I sold 4 years ago, my local estate agent went over and above the norm, to sort out a load of issues I was having with my buyer. Sale could have fell through without there help. To make the agent work for the business, I listed my house with 2 local agents from day one. They were both trying to out do each other, and work hard to get the sale. Worked for me.
