Hobson's choice originated in the 1600's, when Thomas Hobson, a stable owner, offered customers any of the 40 horses he had available - as long as it was in the stall nearest the door. It was either 'take that horse ... or none of them'. The same used to be said for estate agency, but now, thanks to the internet, you don't have to take the agent in the stable nearest the door - or anywhere in those traditional agencies you'll find up and down the nation's high streets. In fact, you don't even have to venture outdoors when it comes to searching for your new home, because the internet is now our favourite, and fastest, way of house hunting. And in an age where speed is of the essence, those window displays, local newspaper ads and 'for sale' boards just can't cut it.
Many traditional estate agents now subscribe to at least one, maybe two, of the big, authoritative property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla. They admit that such media are where they derive the vast majority of their enquiries and sales. And given the power of the world wide web in the property industry, it's no surprise that a hybrid element has begun to dominate home selling with huge coverage across these portals and lower selling fees than its High Street competitors. Online estate agents use their overhead advantage, in not having scores of town centre premises to pay for, to price their selling fees at around ten times lower than their expensive, multi-branch cousins.
But beware. There are online estate agents and then there are websites that will list your home for sale. If these two approaches sound similar to you then you are in danger of potentially making a huge mistake in your choice of 'internet firm that will sell my property'. Online estate agents are estate agents that advertise their homes on the internet. The best ones, like eMoov.co.uk, come out to your home to take photos and measurements, provide a floor plan and arrange viewings from the enquiries they receive. You will benefit from advice, market commentary and the same hand holding process from start to finish that High Street agents promise. Crucially, online estate agents are present on many property portals like Rightmove, not just their own.
But then again, there's the other kind of property website - the ones where you do all the hard work, like taking the pictures, writing up the property description, taking enquiries, arranging viewings and everything else. In short, you're on your own - and very much so because DIY property websites aren't allowed to advertise on those major property portals. And that means your listing won't be seen by much more than 10% of those potential buyers searching online. It's a bit of a false economy, putting it mildly.
Bona fide online estate agents on the other hand are putting the commissions of the High Street chains to shame. Estate agency is money for old rope. Just don't go paying too much, or indeed too little for it. Because you may just trip up.
Many traditional estate agents now subscribe to at least one, maybe two, of the big, authoritative property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla. They admit that such media are where they derive the vast majority of their enquiries and sales. And given the power of the world wide web in the property industry, it's no surprise that a hybrid element has begun to dominate home selling with huge coverage across these portals and lower selling fees than its High Street competitors. Online estate agents use their overhead advantage, in not having scores of town centre premises to pay for, to price their selling fees at around ten times lower than their expensive, multi-branch cousins.
But beware. There are online estate agents and then there are websites that will list your home for sale. If these two approaches sound similar to you then you are in danger of potentially making a huge mistake in your choice of 'internet firm that will sell my property'. Online estate agents are estate agents that advertise their homes on the internet. The best ones, like eMoov.co.uk, come out to your home to take photos and measurements, provide a floor plan and arrange viewings from the enquiries they receive. You will benefit from advice, market commentary and the same hand holding process from start to finish that High Street agents promise. Crucially, online estate agents are present on many property portals like Rightmove, not just their own.
But then again, there's the other kind of property website - the ones where you do all the hard work, like taking the pictures, writing up the property description, taking enquiries, arranging viewings and everything else. In short, you're on your own - and very much so because DIY property websites aren't allowed to advertise on those major property portals. And that means your listing won't be seen by much more than 10% of those potential buyers searching online. It's a bit of a false economy, putting it mildly.
Bona fide online estate agents on the other hand are putting the commissions of the High Street chains to shame. Estate agency is money for old rope. Just don't go paying too much, or indeed too little for it. Because you may just trip up.
About the Author:
Home buyers don't bother to traipse into estate agency offices anymore. 90% of them look property on the internet. eMoov cover the whole of the UK but save money by not having hundreds of premises which you otherwise end up paying for in high eestate agents fees. eMoov are online estate agents. They are a step up from private house sales and ten times cheaper than the High Street. Why pay more?
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