has anyone gone with an online estate agent?

[meebles]

DH is quite keen to market our boring 2 bed maisonette with an on-line EA rather than a traditional agency. The difference being they charge around 0.5% and we would have to show viewers, rather than the 1.5 - 2.05% the others charge. The only thing that concerns me is the local EAs have emphasised how they have lots of buyers registered who are looking at the moment and I wonder what difference that might make or whether everyone is like us and focuses their search online? We've not visited an actual EA office but I wonder if other people do? Would appreciate anyone's thoughts!

[specialsubject]

not actual experience, but everyone starts looking on rightmove etc so 'registered buyers' isn't an issue for that.

an online agent will do nothing after marketing. If your chain needs help or solicitors need pushing, forget it.

you should be able to get a high street agent down to 1%. The online ones should be no more than a few hundred quid, but it is upfront.

[meebles]

Thanks specialsubject, that's what I thought about rightmove and so on. Last time we bought (but not sold) and I spent a lot of time chasing the solicitors anyway, but perhaps those EAs were particularly rubbish.

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I didn't personally either agree with what special said.
I can say that when we were looking at houses we put an offer in on one being sold through an online agency and they were very efficient and kept us up to date with other interest in the house I think I would use them in the future

[meebles]

who were they wishful?

[OneStepCloser]

We've just sold via HouseNetwork, I was worried but Dh had read a lot up on them so we gave it a go, they do everything but the viewings. We sold within 48 hours, but that was London. They were fantastic and I can't see myself using a traditional EA again, the house we bought was via an EA and they were useless, any queries I had I had to constantly ring to chase them up, whereas ours did everything immediately.

EAs always say they have people on the books waiting for a property Just like yours, I think it's just a mantra they use half the time. I do think it depends on where you live and how fast the market is moving there, if it's very slow then maybe a traditional EA might be better.

[mercibucket]

who do the pictures and do they put them on rightmove etc? sounds good tbh

[neepsandtatties]

We used Housenetwork too - couldn't fault them, sold v. quickly.
Made my decision based on recommendations on Mumsnet. Do an advanced search on mumsnet (or just google 'mumsnet housenetwork') and have a read!

[meebles]

yes, I've now seen the previous threads and it seems worth a punt. Everyone was very complimentary.

mercibucket - they have regional offices, and someone who comes to take the photos. Looking at other listings they have on rightmove, the photos seems decent, and they take a lot. They use rightmove, zoopla and all the main contenders.

[Frozenatchristmas]

I am a traditional EA in Scotland. No harm in using them but please, know your market! If you are in a slow market, they are useless. If you are in an area where demand is high and turnover is good then give them a try.

In a slow market a good, local agent is a must. Someone sat in a call centre 100s of miles from your home is going to know jack shit about your house, care even less and have no local experience.

I sold a property in December that the couple had discounted online. It wasn't until we were talking about it (I know wall my houses inside and out) that I was able to match them to the house, explain what their compromises would be and get them to view. The offered that afternoon.

On the same street there is a property for sale, although smaller with an online agent from Manchester. It has been on for over a year.

[MissWing]

We used emoov and it went brilliantly. But you get what you pay for. They did the rightmove listing and answered the phone, I did everything else (research, prodding solicitors etc). Was happy to save all that money though. Would do the same again.
Good luck.

[Wafflesnaffler]

We sold very quickly with HouseNetwork over last October half term - got 5 offers from the first 2 days viewers. I would definitely recommend them (if, as others have said, there's nothing "difficult" about your property and the market isn't slow in your area). They were very efficient and the photos they took were way better than any of the EAs in our area provide. The only advice I would give: arrange your own EPC locally as it may be half the price that HouseNetwork charge for theirs, and you don't necessarily need their For Sale sign. (We bought our own online at half the cost of the HN one, but even that wasn't necessary - next time wouldn't bother with a sign...at least at first. Can always get one later if needed.)

[OneStepCloser]

Good point Waffles, we arranged our own EPC as well, it was half the price. Yy the for sale sign is not really needed these days as most people look online for houses for sale rather than scoure the streets.

[Frozenatchristmas]

No OneStep! Well, not in Scotland. May be because we have a lot of rural areas here so people still look for a board when out and about.

[spanky2]

You caught me out on the last 'advert' . Reporting you.