BRICKS vs CLICKS
A growing number of Online Estate Agents have burst onto the scene offering to sell properties at rock-bottom prices. Adverts from these companies have filled day-time advert breaks and left people wondering – why would I pay more for a high street Estate Agent when online agents say they can sell my house for as little as £400? The popularity of Online Estate agents has not taken off as quickly as predicted and, in most areas of the country, they have had little impact on High Street Agents. This could be mainly down to the fact that there is much more to selling a house than placing basic details on a few property portals. So what are the differences between these 2 types of agent and who should people trust to handle their most important financial transaction.
PERSONAL SERVICE
High Street Agents- Allow the luxury of being able to walk into an office and get advice from an experienced member of staff in person. At Hendersons our office is open on weekends and until 7pm on week-days meaning we’re available to see our clients at times which work around their work schedules and busy lives. Online Agents– Many operate from nation-wide call centres, meaning customers will often converse over the phone with someone without local knowledge and face-to-face meetings are not an option.
MARKETING
High Street Agents- A good agent will pay a visit to measure rooms, draw a floorplan and take the most attractive photographs possible to ensure the accommodation is being marketing to its full potential and standing out from the crowd. Online Agents- Again, it varies. However, many request owners take their own photographs and floorplans are often none-existent.
VIEWINGS
Online Agents – Different companies offer different packages but the majority arrange viewings but usually leave property owners to carry them out.
VALUATIONS
High Street Agents – Spend time carrying out research, looking over comparables and visiting homes to ensure that the right market price is set. Many potential sellers opt to have valuations carried out by several local agents before making a decision on which is best suited to them and their accommodation. Online Agents – Sometimes send out a representative, usually from from out of the area, but also often value using just online data.
FEES
Online agents will always beat High Street Agents hands-down when it comes to fees. An office, advertising on major portals, experienced staff able to effectively conduct viewings and carry out valuations, interactive touch screens, keeping a modern and evolving agency website running, LED window displays, newspaper advertising, professional photographs, and all the many other services a really good high street agent will offer, can not be done for a few hundreds pounds. Would an online agent offer value for money? A high street agent is not just trying to sell their vendor’s properties – but trying to sell them for the best possible price for the owner. This can be most easily and effectively achieved by an experienced negotiator. Also, bear in mind an online agent will likely ask for an up-front fee as opposed to the no-sale-no-fee approach meaning they have been paid regardless of whether they manage to sell the property or not and regardless of what price. Anyone confused about what type of agent to use would be best advised, as a starting point, to look online at the quality of marketing different agents offer. Also, researching into the services they offer, as well as the level of market exposure, could set you well on the way to deciding between bricks and clicks.
High Street Agents – Will happily take care of viewings meaning that whether vendors are busy, on holiday or at work, viewings can take place. A member of staff with first-hand knowledge of the property can show potential buyers around and answer any questions they may have.
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