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Original poster

Should I use an estate agent who is not on Rightmove?

78 replies

Moreveganice · 11/04/2024 18:57

Just about to list my house and I am thinking about using a local, independent estate agent who is not on Rightmove?

The house is (hopefully) easy to sell. It’s on a good road and is a sought after type. We are planning to market as an open day as likely a fair bit of interest(????)

We bought the house from this agent ( 10 years ago so online was not such a big thing) and they are acknowledged as knowing our local area best. - they argue that they simply don’t need to advertise on Rightmove as they have plenty of sales without. - they are on zoopla and n the market… their photos/ floor plans etc look good and they are offering a good rate.

we are just about to sign the paper work and I am having a wobble about not being on Rightmove? Aarrghhh. What would you do?

OP posts:
Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 11/04/2024 18:58

No, I wouldn’t.

Zippedydoodahday · 11/04/2024 18:59

Nope. I wouldn't.

Mushroo · 11/04/2024 18:59

Nope. Rightmove is where 99.9% of buyers look. I don’t even bother registering with local agents unless I have to go view a particular property I’m interested in (which I will have found on Rightmove).

If the house will sell itself why do you need his expertise?

Nellieinthebarn · 11/04/2024 19:00

I can't think of any reason why this would be an advantage to sell your house. I wouldn't.

m00rfarm · 11/04/2024 19:01

Rightmove is ridiculously expensive for the smaller agents to use - and Zoopla is way less expensive. Most people check both sites for properties; so I would try it and see how it goes. Smaller agencies tend to offer a far better and more personal service. Perhaps ask them for a two month exclusive (if you are going down that route) and then you can change if you want to after that period.

Twiglets1 · 11/04/2024 19:05

No way would I use an agent who didn’t list on Rightmove. That is the main site that Buyers use & I don’t even look on Zoopla.

DiveBombingSeagull · 11/04/2024 19:06

Nope. Most buyers go there first and not Zoopla

KhakiSheep · 11/04/2024 19:08

We used an agent that didn't list on rightmove, our house was listed on the Saturday, we had a viewing on the Monday, accepted an offer on the Tuesday. That was June 2022, I know the market has changed somewhat since but that was our experience.

CoddledAsAMommet · 11/04/2024 19:09

We've just sold with a one-man-band estate agent who was fabulous. He was on Rightmove.

I wouldn't consider going with someone not on there, to be honest. I've spent the last 9 months religiously checking for new properties coming on the market and not once have I looked on Zoopla.

user1471538283 · 11/04/2024 19:12

They are not on Rightmove because it's expensive and in this economic climate you need lots of exposure. You could try running with two estate agents?

I only ever viewed with Rightmove.

Londonscallingme · 11/04/2024 19:13

as someone who only ever looks of Rightmove for properties I probably wouldn’t.

Twiglets1 · 11/04/2024 19:19

user1471538283 · 11/04/2024 19:12

They are not on Rightmove because it's expensive and in this economic climate you need lots of exposure. You could try running with two estate agents?

I only ever viewed with Rightmove.

But then OP would have to pay higher fees to go multi agency?

@Moreveganice may as well just pick one EA who does list on Rightmove.

mynamechangemyrules · 11/04/2024 19:29

I (finally) sold my London flat because I physically went into a local estate agent who had no Rightmove presence etc. What he did have was 'books' of a gazillion people who were ready to buy. It sold in under a week to a cash buyer. This was after 18 months of failed sales via KFH/ D&G and motherfucking Purple Bricks- all of whom were abysmal and followed a 'one size fits all' approach. I had little flexibility as was abroad.

Buying in my current (very fast sales) location, I went straight to the non-chain local estate agent and found a gem 💎

So sign on the dotted line!

little0miss0mac · 11/04/2024 19:31

user1471538283 · 11/04/2024 19:12

They are not on Rightmove because it's expensive and in this economic climate you need lots of exposure. You could try running with two estate agents?

I only ever viewed with Rightmove.

More than one agent always looks like desperation for a problem property (for private sales - different for new build).

Twiglets1 · 11/04/2024 19:54

mynamechangemyrules · 11/04/2024 19:29

I (finally) sold my London flat because I physically went into a local estate agent who had no Rightmove presence etc. What he did have was 'books' of a gazillion people who were ready to buy. It sold in under a week to a cash buyer. This was after 18 months of failed sales via KFH/ D&G and motherfucking Purple Bricks- all of whom were abysmal and followed a 'one size fits all' approach. I had little flexibility as was abroad.

Buying in my current (very fast sales) location, I went straight to the non-chain local estate agent and found a gem 💎

So sign on the dotted line!

Why were these gazillion people looking to buy in London not looking on Rightmove?

Chattywatty · 11/04/2024 19:58

The agent we sold with doesn’t use Rightmove, only Zoopla. They are a local agent who have been around forever and have an excellent reputation. They sell all the houses in our area and we were under offer within 48 hours

olivebranch31 · 11/04/2024 19:58

m00rfarm · 11/04/2024 19:01

Rightmove is ridiculously expensive for the smaller agents to use - and Zoopla is way less expensive. Most people check both sites for properties; so I would try it and see how it goes. Smaller agencies tend to offer a far better and more personal service. Perhaps ask them for a two month exclusive (if you are going down that route) and then you can change if you want to after that period.

Edited

This. Rightmove charges extortionate fees and isn't indicative of an estate agent having buyers waiting.

olivebranch31 · 11/04/2024 19:59

Those extortionate fees will be passed on to you in your EA fee by the way...

downsizedilemma · 11/04/2024 20:26

I only ever look on RM and didn't even know there were houses that came up on Zoopla and not RM. I live in a property hotspot and even here houses are taking a while to sell. I wouldn't go with this agent personally.

PickledPurplePickle · 11/04/2024 20:27

No

PlainCake · 11/04/2024 20:29

Hmm, if they really are the go-to local agent and have buyers queuing up then maybe. If you like them then I would expect them to put their money where their mouth is by giving you a very short exclusivity period eg 3 weeks- that's enough time for them to get buyers through the door if they really are on the books.

sleekcat · 11/04/2024 20:30

I've never looked on Zoopla when buying a house. I think it's risky not being on Rightmove. If I saw a house for sale on the street and then couldn't find it on Rightmove I'd probably think they'd taken it off sale or something. But you could try it for a short while and see how you get on if you think you'll have lots of interest regardless.

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 11/04/2024 20:32

No definitely not

Justlovedogs · 11/04/2024 20:39

No advice, but I'm really surprised at all the posters saying they only look at one website. The single biggest purchase you (generally) make and you don't shop around? Do you all only go to one car sales when you want a car, too? Hmm

Tupster · 11/04/2024 20:48

I'm another one who had no idea there were houses on zoopla or anywhere else that aren't on Rightmove. I would think you miss out on a hell of a lot of the potential market by not being on there.

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