15 Feb 2018
But with the continued rise of technology taking over traditional industries, there has been a sharp rise in DIY estate agents. This is often seen as a potential way to save huge amounts of money on the sale of your property - but does it actually make the process more stressful?
You might also be wondering whether you will actually be able to sell your property through the DIY process and if you can achieve the sale price you want. Our blog will help you to understand the difference between estate agents and DIY alternatives so you can make the choice yourself.
Fees Explained
When it comes to selling your home, there are a number of different fees that are associated with the process. One of these fees includes estate agent fees, as traditional estate agents will take a percentage of your sale price as payment for selling the house. This could be anywhere between 0.75 to 3.5 percent on the sale of your home, although average fees are around 1.8 percent. This means that if an estate agent sold your house at the national average of £250,000, you would owe them £3,705 on the sale.
This is where DIY agents, often also referred to as online agents, come into play as fees are usually much lower and can be as little as £40. Such a huge saving on the sale of your property is why so many people are considering DIY as a viable option for selling their house.
What’s the Difference?
The drastic price difference might leave you wondering what the catch is and why the two prices are so different. Well, the two services do differ and you might need to do a lot more of the work if you opt for the DIY service. One of the major differences is the way viewings are handled, as you may need to show people around the home yourself. It is also likely that you will need to handle property listings and photography yourself if you go for the cheapest option. However, depending on which service you choose, you might not need to handle all of the viewings yourself. There are often different packages that help you through the whole selling process and include property viewings.
Are There Any Benefits To Estate Agents?
There is still a place in today’s market for traditional estate agents and you might actually be better off selling your home through this route. One of the biggest benefits of using an estate agent is that they manage the whole process, which usually makes it much less stressful. They can usually fit many more viewings in, potentially while you are at work or out of the house. With a great deal of experience, it is also likely that estate agents will achieve a higher sale value then you might be able to achieve through DIY. However, this is usually outweighed by the larger estate agents' fee.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing how you will sell your home. Estate agents shouldn’t be ruled out completely and many people still prefer to sell their home this way. But it is important that you consider your options carefully to ensure you choose the right option for yourself. Once you have decided and your house is sold, make sure to get in touch with Bishop's Move to organise your removal.
