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Property/DIY

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Original poster

anyone sold a house without using estate agent?

18 replies

macred · 26/08/2012 17:21

We are intending to sell our house next spring, and are thinking of trying to do so independently, thus avoiding estate agency fees. Has anyone done this, and can you give us some advice? We're thinking that we'll advertise on Righmove, put up a board, show people round etc. What are we missing, and indeed, are we mad to try?

OP posts:

Blackduck · 26/08/2012 17:50

Can you advertise on Rightmove as a private individual? I thought not...
However, you could use housenetwork - much lower fees, will do rightmove and all the necessary (except viewings -you still do them)

Original poster

macred · 26/08/2012 17:59

thanks Blackduck - hadn't realised that!

Anything else to think about anyone?

OP posts:

gregssausageroll · 26/08/2012 21:16

You can't advertise on rightmove without a member agent.

TalkinPeace2 · 26/08/2012 21:51

we sold our old house with a sheet of A4 in the window - but it WAS in a hotspot student street

unless you house is in a similar honeypot area, rightmove is essential - HAGGLE with the agent.

Blackduck · 26/08/2012 22:05

Housenetwork 500 pounds for a year, they will handle books and negotiate etc. saved us at least 2k...

IAmRubyLennox · 27/08/2012 08:34

I've sold a flat without an agent.

It was on the market with a local agent for a couple of months and doing nothing, hardly any viewings. I was complaining about it in the pub one night and a friend of DH's said there was a newly-divorced bloke in his office looking for a flat in my area, and he'd tell him about mine.... and it all went from there.

TBH, it was really easy because as soon as we had agreed a price, it all just got handed over to solicitors and it went on from there. He did come back and renegotiate the price after survey, but I didn't contest it so again, no issue. Plus there wasn't any chain in either direction.

However, I think I'd hesitate before just putting a board up myself. Unless your particular road is super-desirable or you have a very distinctive one-off house, I don't think you'll get the exposure that you need. Plus, when I've sold other places, I've always expected the EA to accompany viewings, especially if I'm on my own in the house, rather than just having random people show up at my home.

Tobagostreet · 27/08/2012 08:40

Yes, me!

Put a sign up in the window, did the 'viewings' on my own.

You need to engage a lawyer to do all the legal type conveyancing, but the fees are minuscule compared to an estate agent.

This was before the need to have a home owners report, but I assume you can do this independently too.

It was worth it for the money I saved! Good luck

Zhaghzhagh · 27/08/2012 09:11

Tepilo Sarah Beeney's website.

Original poster

macred · 27/08/2012 09:21

definitely think we'll give it a go - we are in a nice looking house, on one of the main roads through our town, so that, combined with exposure on Rightmove etc (via housenetwork or tepilo), will hopefully do the job!!

Apart from the financial saving, the agents round here seem to v little to earn their fee. We've chatted to a few housesellers, and most seem v dissatisfied with their service, and end up moving from one to another as the months pass. Even allowing for the state of the economy, things hang around way too long.

Also, would be doing viewings myself anyway (or DH).

OP posts:

ohforfoxsake · 27/08/2012 10:42

I found a buyer for my friends flat just by keeping eyes and ears open. I'd start with putting the word out that you are selling it and key word spread. Tell your neighbours and ask them if they know anyone looking in the area.

Good luck '

Zhaghzhagh · 27/08/2012 11:01

Actually I think the local newspaper is always quite a good way to advertise - and relatively cheap.

financialwizard · 27/08/2012 11:30

My Dad sold my Nan's house privately by putting a board up outside and an A3 sheet in the window. It was in a highly desirable BTL area for students though (very near a University), it sold within a week and completed 4 weeks later. So if you are in similar sort of area then you might get lucky.

gregssausageroll · 27/08/2012 13:34

If you are going to do it yourself, make sure you price it properly. Don't go overboard and keep it realistic.

Original poster

macred · 27/08/2012 14:17

good point gregs - will probably get a couple of local estate agents round to give their opinion, and also see if they'd be prepared to work for a flat fee (!). Ooh, cheeky.

OP posts:

crochetcircle · 27/08/2012 15:37

I was impressed by housenetwork and would consider using them next time we sell our flat. You can avoid all the estate agent bullshit, and deal with people yourself.

Not quite the same as no estate agent, but I think you need some kind of web presence?

BestIsWest · 27/08/2012 19:24

We a house from someone who was selling privately and to be honest I'd think twice about doing it again. They were a complete PITA and by the end we were barely on speaking terms with them. Having an estate agent as a middle man would have taken away so much of the stress.

TalkinPeace2 · 27/08/2012 20:24

BestisWest
did you use conveyancing solicitors?
as IMHO they are the bit that is worth the money

BestIsWest · 27/08/2012 20:55

Yes we did, I agree, they were the only thing that saved our sanity. Worth every penny. Twas a pain not having an estate agent as a buffer between us and the vendor though. He kept phoning DH at work and asking did we want the greenhouse for £50 and the dining table etc etc. Or turning up at our house and inviting himself in for the evening. Of course no one on MN would behave like that .

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