We’d all be honest and say the internet has changed the way we live. There is so much convenience available through shopping or searching online and some things in life have become cheaper. Not having to pay big overheads is a great factor in why some online companies and professionals can undercut other firms in the industry and with the economy being what it is, who isn’t looking to save a bit of money?
The internet has definitely transformed the property market and the majority of people looking to find and buy a home will carry out some of their search online. This means many people think that it is wise to use the services of an online estate agent. Not all online estate agents are the same, so you need to review them as you would do any other estate agent, but you need to look closely to make sure you know what you are getting.
The cost factor is always going to have an impact
The key reason so many people are drawn to the services of an online estate agent is cost. With a flat fee service, it is only natural that people are drawn to these professionals and the service they offer. However, what do you get for that flat fee? Will you get a proper valuation of your property and will the online estate agent undertake viewings when they arise? Will the online estate agent have a good working knowledge of Stockport, what the area offers, what is available and who is likely to buy?
These are all factors that may suggest you don’t get the value for money from an online estate agent as you do with a traditional estate agent. A good traditional estate agent will also be online these days, there is a need to move with the times, and ideally, you want to deal with an estate agent that has an online and offline presence. This is crucial because not every potential buyer will search online, there is a great deal to be said for having a physical presence capturing footfall and catching people’s eye.
There is also an argument about how hard an online estate agent will work for a flat fee. If the income that an estate agent is going to receive is fixed regardless of what they do or what outcome occurs, are they going to be as motivated to work on your behalf? Some will. There are some good online estate agents who understand that developing their reputation is essential but there are many who won’t.
At Spencer Harvey, we appreciate that different people have different needs and that there will be people who like the basic and budget-friendly approach offered by online estate agents. However, buying or selling a home is one of, if not, the biggest decisions a person will make and this means you need specialist support that is aimed at getting you the best deal.
If you’d like to find out more about our services or you want to talk about the Stockport property market, come and see us or contact us to arrange an appointment. We still believe in talking face to face and we’ll be delighted to have you over for a chat.