neil.b

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience of selling their house through one of the many internet housing websites. Done some basic searching and found that you can get your property listed for around £80.
I begrudge paying an estate agent in excess of £2000, for what it little more than advertising. I can take photos, and write an ad too, as well as being able to measure room dimensions.
Any thought and experiences most welcome.

Neil.

spottydog

I have listed our house for about 5 months on all the free ones I could find at the same price as it is with the agent and have yet to receive a single call. The sites I've listed on are:
http://www.houseladder.co.uk
http://www.adtrader.co.uk
http://www.anyads.co.uk
http://www.buyitprivately.com
http://www.easier.co.uk
http://www.findit.co.uk
http://www.home.co.uk
http://www.homesonsaler.co.uk
http://www.homeswithoutagents.com
http://www.housenet.co.uk
http://www.internethomes.co.uk
http://www.madaboutproperties.com
http://www.movehomeonline.co.uk
http://www.preloved.co.uk
http://www.propertylocator.co.uk
http://www.use-the-mouse.com

Anne

Hutch

I figured they'd be a bit crap - we plan to try something slightly different (since we're in the web design business), which is to create a full site for our house and promote it aggresively in the search engines. Will let you know how we get on, though it won't be for about nine months yet

MikeMc

NOt sure if this is is still on topic, but if you are desparate to get away (just like the rest of us) - my dentist of all people suggested these people :-

http://www.nationalhomebuyers.co.uk/

Cant say if they are any good or what but its something I would consider if things really got out of hand. My house is still up for sale 6 months, dropped 10k and still no offers

teach

Hi MikeMc,
You must live somewhere near us, we have been on the market since June also dropped 10k and not even really getting any viewings. I know exactly how you feel,
Good luck
Sarah

expatcoco13

Dear Hutch,

I am a UK-based journalist, and I write for a number of broadsheets such as the Guardian the Observer,(see www.guardian.co.uk and do an archive search on my name) and the Daily Telegraph.

I was browsing the web, when I came across your interesting posting. I wonder whether you would be willing to keep me informed about developments. I am sure it would make a great article for the property pages of a broadsheet. At the same time, I am sure the publicity wouldn't do your attempts to sell any harm.

Best regards,

Colin Cottell

sj oldfield

Hi,

we managed to sell last June.........bloody nightmare though.
We put our house on many websites but didnt have much response.

All the best

bal56

Sold via an agent before Xmas and negotiated him down to 1%.....

bridiej

That's what we plan to do too!! Probably around the same time!!

peppi

Im in the same boat..begrudge paying for the estate agent. My house is on the net with 3 different sites. People are looking at it but no calls.. I ran an ad in the local free ads last week and Ive had a few enquiries. I seem to be getting more response from this and using the site as a direction to point them in for photos etc...But I am still waiting to get someone through the door...but its only been about 10 days so far...

charlie63

Hi there J

Hows it going over the roundabout! We have had our first viewing, they came back for a second and we are expecting to hear back from the Agent tonight as to their decision fingees crossed. Just hoping every thing else moves quickly now as my youngest turns 18 in April and apparently we must have visa issued by then!!!! EEEKKKKKk not too hopefull I must say today.

Any how Good luck with some viewings the time of year is picking up though, as we had drive bys' yesturday and a veiwing just booked today from that so hopefully you'll get something soon.

Charlie

peppi

good on ya...funnily enough just after I posted that,someone knocked on my door this afternoon,so I showed em round..! Luckily I had just hoovered and washed the floors cos the house was a right pig sty when I walked in the door. She seemed interested,took the fone number etc...so we shall see...I havent given up yet...I was going to add to the thread you gotta have a sign outside as well as the net page...and its worth paying for one that links you to the portals like fish for homes...I found one that does this for £14.95...not bad...

Vinny van Gogh

Just to start on a negative, I design and build websites. I have our property for sale on its own website. It gets quite a view "views"...not had one enquiry though. The mainstream property sellers on the internet have visitors whose mindset is to use the internet for most things. BUT how many are near you. If you are in no rush I suggest you ignore the web sellers and simply put up a "for sale" sign outside your house which will be seen by those looking for a property in your area. Alternately, add the agents fee,s to the valuation so the buyer pays them! I should also add another £1000 for every £100,000 your house is worth to fend off the "offers in region of" trying to get the price down!

best of luck

bridiej

Where did you get it for £14.95?

neil.b

Thanks to you all for your valuable info on the subject. We have considered all avenues now and decided not to go for the internet option. Seems like too many casual viewers and nobody really intent on making a purchase. The making of a sign to display outside the property should work well in most situations, but unfortunately as we live in a very secluded cul-de-sac, its not possible to see the house from the main road. (nice thought though).
We have both been on the phone to various estate agents today, to see what their costs come out at. Some were very non commital, and said that they wanted to come out to discuss costs and contracts etc. No way Jose, tell me your charge or you get no further.
We finally hammered the deal of the century. £1100 all in on a £150k house. Having a drink now, to celebrate one up on estate agents. They come out Friday to take pics and sort contracts.
Will let you all know how things progress.

Forgot to mention, we also got out of the sole agent 12 or 16 week contract. We only have to give 14 days notice. Big smiles in the Bridges household.

Neil.