With the rising popularity of online estate agents, many people are wondering if there is truly a significant difference in their services compared with traditional high street agents. Some even argue that online estate agents are merely helping homeowners list their homes for sale but are not committed to the actual sale of the property. This and some other myths surrounding online estate agents need to be clearly explained.
Services offered
The general idea of an online estate agent is that they provide real estate services such as valuation, viewing, listing, and selling of a property through the internet. This means that when you get in touch with them, you are in fact being assisted by a dedicated helpline or customer support team. In some cases, an online estate agent can offer other services, like a letting management service. It is important to keep in mind that not all online estate agents are the same. You need to make sure that you are aware of what services are included in the fees you are paying.
In comparison with traditional high street estate agents, online estate agents do not charge you a commission. This makes their services a lot cheaper. However, by paying upfront, you have to understand that the payment is necessary regardless of whether or not the property is sold.
How will potential buyers find the property?
Similar to high street agents, online estate agents also use property portals to list a property. The most common property portals are Zoopla and Rightmove. Buyers who are regularly checking these portals have higher chances of finding your property. This works out well in today’s housing market because people are increasingly dependent on the internet for everything. If you want the estate agent to erect a “for sale” sign on your property, you can verify with them if they offer this service.
How are viewings handled?
The online estate agent is responsible for arranging the viewings for you but will not personally attend to them, unlike traditional high street agents. This is suitable for homeowners who want to have more control over the sale of their property. You can oversee the viewing of your own home as soon as the online estate agent notifies you of a scheduled viewing. If you want to relinquish the responsibility of conducting the viewing yourself, ask your estate agent about this, but you may need to pay an additional fee for the service.
Is an online estate agent your best choice?
The option to choose an online estate agent is subjective to your specific needs. If you have the time and are willing to wait to have the perfect buyer for your property, this option is for you. Moreover, homeowners who prefer to conduct viewings themselves and like the feel of being able to sell their home through their own efforts can benefit from online estate agents because of the savings. Lastly, there are a variety of online estate agents with packages and services that suit all kinds of personal circumstances.
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