Disadvantages of using online estate agents in Leeds-
One of the main reasons you might be thinking of using the likes of Purplebricks, EweMove or YOPA to sell your home is because it can be cheaper – at least up front.
But selling your house in this way could lead to a lot more costs down the road. Here are just some of the disadvantages of using online estate agents to sell your property…
Lack of local knowledge
Most online property agents operate from nationwide call centres. As a result, they’re likely to have less local knowledge than decent high-street Leeds estate agents. This in turn could mean they undertake your property valuation using only online data.
But while this might work well as a basic guide, you need someone with local knowledge to help you navigate the rough and tumble of a unique market.
And it is true some of the better-known online companies claim to be “real estate agents”.
However, they often use local property “experts” who cover such wide geographical areas that they lack both the depth of knowledge you need to achieve market value, and the time to meet your needs.
No face-to-face communication
Another issue with online estate agents is that they’ll mostly communicate with you by phone or email. Some of these companies might assign a “personal” account manager to you. But as you won’t normally communicate with them face to face, there’s nothing really personal about it.
Yes, it’s true that some online agents offer chat services or helplines, but nothing really beats the around-the-clock service you get from a dedicated local team.
Upfront fees
One of the key points a lot of online agents will try and sell you is that they charge a fixed fee instead of commission. The major downside to this is you’ll often have to pay this upfront, even before you’ve sold your house.
And because an online estate agent gets paid the same whether they sell your home or not, there’s less incentive for them to work hard on your behalf.
No teamwork
The online agents that tell you they’re real estate agents usually use local freelance “experts” to do their bidding. While these individuals might be capable agents, they don’t give you the advantage of having a team of agents and tradespeople on hand 24/7 to look after ALL your property needs.
That’s why the basic plans these companies offer usually only cover a few simple tasks. They may not be able to give you any legal advice or conveyancing, for example. By contrast, a team of experts can cover all bases and get it all done a lot faster to help take the stress out of selling your home.
sbliving vs online estate agents
Having been in the business for over a decade, we know the UK and Leeds property market like the backs of our hands.
And our clients know this too, which is why 90% of our work still comes through word of mouth.
We’re based in Headingley, which is a bustling area, popular with both students and professionals. And because there are so many estate agents in Headingley and the city as a whole, we’ve had to learn how to compete.
Even in the face of competition from the likes of EweMove and Purplebricks, our clients value sbliving for not just our local knowledge, but also for our personal service and dedication to getting you the best deal.
As we operate a no sale, no fee policy, we only get paid when you sell your house. So it’s in our interests to ensure you get the best price in the quickest time. We even give you the choice of fixed fees on certain types of property.
Finally, as a team of property experts, we know our strengths, and we delegate to offer you a thorough and complete service. We also boast a large database of potential buyers for you to choose from.
