Most property journeys, when selling, begin with having to choose an estate agent. Additionally, you also have the choice of selling your home online or with a high street agent.
Is it worth using an agent at all?
Let’s be honest; selling a property can be tricky and time-consuming. This is why a good agent is critical to reducing your stress levels when selling. They will talk you through the steps and help you move, smoothly. A good high street estate agent knows their local area inside out and how to best market your property. After all, they’re experts in their field and trained in how to sell a property.
Which has lower fees?
If you sell your property with an online agent, you will likely have to pay a fixed fee, although some online agents also claim to sell your property for free. Fixed fees are often charged up-front, so you will have to pay the same amount regardless of how long it takes to sell your home. Even if your property doesn’t sell, you could still be expected to pay the fee.
If you sell your property using a high street estate agent, you’re more likely to be charged a percentage of the price paid by the buyer. This is the more traditional method and means the estate agent is only paid once your home is sold. However, there are other ways to sell, including the Modern Method of Auction. Find out more about the Modern Method of Auction here.
What does no sale, no fee mean?
In most cases, you pay online estate agent fees up-front, rather than when you've found a buyer and have exchanged contracts. This means that if your property doesn’t sell, and you want to switch away from the online agent, you could lose the fee that you paid.
The benefit of high street estate agents, like us, is that the fees are only due once your property has sold. This means that high street agents are incentivised to work harder to sell because they won’t get their commission unless you get your sale.
Who offers a better estate agent service?
Regardless of the fee charged, you want to be sure that you’re getting the service you need to sell your home. Most online agents will arrange and give you feedback on viewings and offers via an online dashboard. Many support with sales negotiation and progression, conducting viewings, professional photographs and other additional services, however, there is usually an additional charge for this.
By comparison, probably the most obvious advantage of opting for a high street agent, like us, is that the service you receive will be personalised according to your property and situation. You will be working closely with a person you can chat with face-to-face, as opposed to someone online, which can provide a lot of reassurance when undergoing the large and personal task of selling your property. You may also find that a high street agent's local expertise and access to a local database are key factors that can help you succeed in progressing your property sale towards completion. Plus, thanks to their local knowledge and experience, high street agents are better placed to negotiate a selling price that you're happy with, while also taking care of your property sale - from marketing the property to finding prospective buyers, carrying out viewings and completing all legal formalities necessary to exchange.
Don’t take anything for granted: it may be possible to save money selling your home online, but it’s important to understand exactly what services you’re getting from the start, and to read the small print so you avoid any surprises.
Choosing an estate agent
When making your decision, it’s vital you consider all of your options. It’s likely your choice will be impacted by your personal circumstances, so you need to be sure your sale works for you.
If you’re serious about selling, a great place to start is finding out how much your home is worth. We can give you a valuation of your property in less than 60 seconds.
