Choosing the right sales agent: High Street or online?
For many years, the only way to sell a property was to use a traditional High Street agent but in the era of the internet, it has become possible to sell your property without ever setting foot in a branch or shaking the hand of an agent.
With online sales agents more established and successful than ever before, Move Places looks at the differences between High Street agents and their modern internet-based counterparts. We also answer your frequently asked questions.
What are the main differences between a High Street & an online sales agent?
High Street agents:
- ✔ Available in person with a branch you can visit
- ✔ Local knowledge can be useful
- ✔ Commission structure can motivate sales agents
- ✔ Reputation among local buyers
- ✔ Frequently charging higher fees due to higher overheads
- ✔ Set, inflexible opening hours
- ✔ Second port-of-call as property buyers search online first
Online agents:
- ✔ Much lower selling fees – usually a few hundred pounds
- ✔ Property advertised on the same portals as High Street agents
- ✔ Sellers have more control over the process, with greater flexibility
- ✔ Lists of interested buyers and investors waiting
- ✔ Some responsibilities may be delegated to the seller
- ✔ Possible lack local knowledge
- ✔ Not all are registered with The Property Ombudsman
If you have never used an online sales agent, you may have some questions. Don’t worry, we are happy to provide the answers to the most commonly asked questions:
Q. How do viewings work with an online agent?
A. Like with High Street agents, viewing requests come straight to online agents to be vetted, before arranging a convenient time for the viewing to take place. There are three options for sellers using Move Places. You can undertake the viewing yourself, we can accompany you during the viewing or one of our team can complete the viewing on your behalf. After the viewing, we will negotiate the sale or ask for feedback, which we will discuss with you.
Q. What about property photographs?
A. We never skimp when it comes to photographs as they are a crucial part of the marketing process. Not only will one of the Move Places team visit your property, we offer a free image enhancement service so each photograph shows your home in the best light.
Q. How do I know I can trust an agent I can’t visit in person?
A. Some sellers find comfort in their estate agent having a High Street branch but despite their name, some online-only agents also have an office that sellers can visit. Move Places shares its office in Buckinghamshire with its sister company Open Property Group and you’re more than welcome to make an appointment to meet the team.
Q. Can an online agent get the same coverage for my property?
A. You don’t need a shop to sell property. We advertise your property in the same online places as High Street agents, such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Prime Location. We also list on our own website and send new instructions out to our unique database of keen buyers. We can even provide a ‘for sale’ board, if you require one!
Q. Are online agents accredited?
A. Not every online agent is equal so it pays to do your research. All estate agents, regardless of how and where they operate, must comply with the Estate Agents Act. Move Places, however, has also committed to The Property Ombudsman Service for Residential Estate Agents and the Trading Standards Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
Sell property fast with Move Places
Move Places aims to sell your property within 28 days, thanks to its expertise and database of interested buyers/investors. If you’re not happy with your High Street agent, it is possible to exit your contract and try our online service. Why not start the sales process with a free online valuation?