Anthony

Thank you for your reply, it’s extremely interesting to receive such valuable feedback from an estate agent within the area with such vast experience too. Whilst I can understand your concerns regarding an ‘internet estate agent’ I would like to address your points one by one....


''This is no more than an advertisement "PLUG" for a new internet Estate Agent. At least be Honest. Show some integrity.''


Firstly, we are not an estate agent and the original post was not intended as an advertisement but as some valuable local market research as already stated. Any feedback (yours included) is very welcome and useful. This is why I purposefully did not publish the name of the website. If I wanted free advertising surely it would have contained the name? (which is very catchy and very clever by the way).


''How much commission are you going to get for this advert then.''


You mention commission, there will not be any commission charged for using the website – this is only charged by the agents.


''You need estate Agents to value property, look at market condition, have an extent local knowledge, chain chase, sales chase, and communicate with financial advisers and banks, Solicitor. and other selling agent., to push sales through.''


You state that you need estate agents to value property and look at market conditions. I disagree. Estate agents do not give valuations they give a subjective market appraisal which is based on comparables and on their experience of the local market conditions. Correct? In my opinion most sellers already have a rough idea of their property value and of the immediate local market but for those who are unsure read on....

On the website launching very soon there are step by step and very simple instructions on how to get comparables of similar properties and research the local market using the same methods used by estate agents.

This is even easier to do on an estate like Warwick Gates with so many properties bought and sold over the years and with relatively few builders and types of property here. It really is simple. With information freely available on actual sold prices these days both buyers and sellers are better equipped than ever before and that part of the estate agent’s service really is redundant.

In addition there will of course be the facility to search a buyers’ database, up until now the ‘crown jewels’ of an estate agent – their registered buyers list. With this information being available to sellers direct through the website, there really is no need to go through an estate agent. In addition, this same buyers’ database can be searched for by a seller ahead of them marketing their own property enabling a seller to actually test the market for free and see how many buyers would be interested in a property like their own. They can therefore research local buyers, the local market and local demand for free and they can do all of this prior to marketing their existing home and without the need for a HIP - something they can’t do with an estate agent.


''Or are you saying you can do it with out them.''

Yes


''I hear these stories all the time, where people say they sold their sold privately, fact 99% of them called an agent out to value it firstly.''


So you accept that people can and do sell privately without an estate agent. Brilliant. If an estate agent offers a ‘free’ market appraisal then a seller may wish to continue to take advantage of this ‘free’ service? Surely that’s for the seller to decide.


''Even when the sale was going through, the other estate agents sales chased it, spoke to your solicitor etc.
This last week i reported and internet agent for NOT chain chasing or sales chasing, that is a duty of your agent to know this information.''


Sales chasing is extremely important and I’m glad that you have recognised this element of the sales process. In my own experience it is an area where a lot of agents fall down and the biggest disappointment sellers/buyers have. Often once a sale has been agreed sellers and buyers feel communication begins to break down and that they have to telephone in to the agents for updates. Sales chasing an agreed sale through to completion and moving day is paramount and naturally the website has paid particular attention to this area.

Because the site is so rich in features all sellers and buyers are equipped to check sales that are agreed privately using exactly the same methods of leading estate agents. It is very simple to do.

The step by step guide will again hand hold users through the process and the appointed conveyancing company will also keep sellers and buyers completely updated and informed on of all key stages and progress from start to finish. This service offers additional support and is tailored to private selling but they may even offer it out to estate agents at a later date.

Buying or selling a home is a complex business, both legally and administratively - but it is after all the conveyancers / solicitors who process the sold subject to contract sale through to completion and NOT the estate agent. Therefore it is perfectly possible to omit the estate agents service from this area. Indeed some solicitors are now offering estate agency services themselves.


''How. you get around data protection, you're just going to give peoples information out over the internet. Nice ''
.

All personal information remains completely confidential and all users have their own unique online identity and login. No telephone numbers are published or contact details. This site should not be confused with other half attempted private property websites out there. The site is incredibly sophisticated and users will enjoy using it and save considerable amounts of money at the same time. Users will actually be able to undercut competition marketed with an estate agent and yet still be financially better off if they so choose as they will of course avoid incurring estate agency fees.

This site gives sellers & buyers the choice.

Furthermore all users are identity checked. This is yet another benefit because anyone can view a house through an agent without their address or identity being verified!

''Rubbish, it is only a plug for a new internet agent, van you not see how transparent this is, give it time they’ll be 1000's of them popping up, ''


This is not a plug – I didn’t advertise the site and the only reason I am taking full opportunity to highlight the benefits of this site is because of the unfounded attack you have made on the concept, without affording me the time to explain to you and others as to the positive impact this can have on the house selling process. If this is such a flawed concept why does an estate agent with so many years experience see this as a growth area?


''What about when you want to talk to someone, or complain? Try doing that on line, no humans to talk to .''


We don’t envisage complaints as we are merely an advertiser not an estate agent. The advertising is uploaded by the users. However, there will be a contact us section with advisers happy to help for anyone requiring further assistance.

Like all men and women, we are all different, it the same with Estate Agents.

I agree everyone is different and the website is there to allow people to be different and give sellers and buyers a choice! Whilst it may not be for everyone, it may be just what people want and of course there are no limitations on area. This can be national very easily. It just so happens that it is being launched right here in Warwick Gates.

Having held senior estate agency positions over many years and even tempered back my ambitions to work in smaller ‘single office setups’, I am confident that as long as there are willing and able buyers looking for properties and willing and able sellers looking to market their properties then it is worth investing time and effort educating homeowners and prospective buyers to allow them to take control of the biggest transactions of their lives.

Well done Sara-Jayne, you have not only defended your position but you have not in my view fallen foul of advertising rules because you haven't yet told us what your website is called - I have emailed you for it though! I for one think that a resource available locally which allows me to choose whether to take control of my own transaction would be of great value. Clearly your knowledge of the sector is impressive and I wish you all the best for the future.

I whole heartedly agree with you Sara Jayne, and may I commend you on your very coherant and eloquent response to this gentlemens comments. Best of luck.

am proud of you my dear jayne
with love from your aunt ann xx

I am looking forward to sarah Jane getting her own website then at least she can stop posting these boring messages on our community message boards. Wake me up when this discussion in finished and perhaps we can discuss things like youth, vandalism, parks and things that matter to people.

One observation is that clearly anthony is busy selling houses - hence is probably doesn't have the time to reply to these posts, but Sarah Jane must have a lot of time on her hands to type such alot...

What matters to people Bob,is their lives and the things that affect them personally such as the examples you have quoted. However you must agree the purchase or sale of your home is of great importance to most people. Who amongst us has not complained, or heard someone complain, that estate agents do nothing for their money. They receive bad press constantly and unfortunately have been portrayed more often than not as dishonest,money grabbing parasites. This to me seems very unfair as I am sure the majority do their best to give a good service.

What, however, is wrong with wanting to do it yourself?

It seems to me that if you have the tools to help you, [ as this proposed website will be offering] then it is no different to using Ebay to sell your car, as many people do. Why do they do that? to cut out the middleman and make a bit more cash. How do they know what it's worth? they do some research look in the papers, garages or that book of prices the dealers all use.

Sara Jaynes website will offer a choice and
it seems to me for the kind of person that is happy to use a selling website, this is an attractive proposition.

Thank you for the replies listed above and thank you to all those who have contacted me direct....

From local market research, it is clear that many of you are certainly interested in the idea of selling privately or letting privately without the need for an estate agent.

I look forward to providing people with a 'choice' very soon.

Regards

Sara Jayne

Hello, please can you let me know if this site is ready to use? What is it called and how does it work?

In this market, my houseprice has dropped thousands of pouds and if I can avoid paying an estate agent then I will because it is going to save me money.

I have got to get my house on the market before January 09 ideally.

Do you do renting as well?

Thank you

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