Is there an online or fixed fee agent that would work for an elderly couple house sale?

[Lelivre]

No onward chain. Large 4 story Victorian townhouse/terrace. They have never sold before and feel concerned about rogue agents and being ripped off.

[Lelivre]

I can't see them taking on all the viewings and not sure if online always means that is necessary.

[specialsubject]

the online lot will make them do all the viewings and the amount of help will be limited. You get what you pay for.

ask around for the best local agent, go visit them, see what kind of 'feel' you get.

the fee is fixed as a percentage of the house price, and they should be able to get it down to 1% plus VAT if the house is easily sellable. A good agent is there to make chains work; we had no onward chain but were royally pissed about by the person two down. The agent worked very hard to make it happen.

[Seriouslyffs]

I would have thought this is exactly the sort of case where you do need an estate agent. If you have any influence help them find an agent they trust.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

If they have never sold before and are wary of rogue agents then I don't think an online agency would be right for them as they would be the ones doing the viewings etc. why don't they go with a reputable national agents or long established local agent?

[whattodoforthebest2]

I used an online agent last year and it went very well indeed. However, they didn't accompany viewings, so that would be a no-no for you I expect, unless someone else can be there to show people around.

The online agent took photos and put the details on several websites, including RightMove and would have put up a board if I'd wanted one. I wrote the details myself. They also took telephone enquiries and arranged viewings. It was a fraction of the cost of a High St agent and I would definitely use them again.

[Babypythagorus]

It's not in SE18 is it??! if so I'll buy it now, no need for estate agents...

[Lelivre]

Thanks for all the comments.

Whattodoforthebest-who did you use please? Perhaps for a short period they could manage giving it a shot.

The house is in a prime location and higher end of the market in terms of value. I would imagine likely to appeal to an investor.

I (stupidly perhaps!) put the idea online agency idea in their head because having recently sold to a highly recommended agency who presented well, I felt disappointed and wished I had simply gone with the cheapest.

[Lelivre]

BabyP no not London but London by the sea...

[whattodoforthebest2]

//www.housenetwork.co.uk

If they can wait 2 years, I'll be looking on the South coast around there.

[TheUnwillingNarcheska]

I bought and sold through HouseNetwork 5 years ago, best £800 I ever spent and saved me thousands, but I did the viewings. Not only did they do photos, but a floorplan and a virtual tour (360 degree camera for showing an entire room) this was helpful as we had an unusual layout.

When we sold my Grandad's bungalow, he had sadly died so a local high street agent was used as we needed someone to do all the viewings.

It depends on whether they would feel vulnerable showing someone round their house or not.

Any high street agent would have to declare their fee up front and they can get several round to quote them so they can compare.