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Ditch the estate agent?

Catherine Deshayes

Homeowners save a fortune and get the same service with DIY sales, says Briffy.com...

Angry home sellers have started taking property sales into their own hands after turning their back on traditional estate agents.

An increasing number of people have started listing their homes online in exactly the same way as the so-called professionals - without the crippling fees.

Sympathy is in short supply for agents - 150 branches are going out of business every week - because they're unable to sell their clients' properties.

"We've noticed a surge in people trying to sell or let their homes online" says David Amstell from Briffy.com - one of Britain's leading DIY property sales website.

"After all, homeowners selling through us are using exactly the same promotional methods to market their property. The difference is: we charge a once only fee of £25, an estate agent's fee on an average-sized property in Britain is around £5,000."

For anyone disillusioned by previous dealings with estate agents - dishonesty, delays and impenetrable jargon - selling a home online can be refreshingly hassle-free.

Vendors simply posts their property's details and photography themselves on a "virtual online estate agent" website like Briffy.com, allowing genuine buyers to view them and get in touch if they want to find out more or to arrange a viewing.

"This process gives the vendor complete control and the onus is on them to negotiate a good deal" says David Amstell "When 1.3 million households could be left in negative equity, this is a huge advantage as there's no one better placed to communicate a property's selling points than a vendor who needs every penny they can get from their house sale."

To help homeowners sell their home, the experts at www.briffy.com have put together some Tips For Marketing Property Online for getting the best deal possible:

1. Don't ignore the fact that house prices have dropped. Be realistic and offer your home for sale or to let at an attractive price.

2. When putting your details on a site like Briffy.com, use all the space available to describe each room in detail, pointing out all the features and benefits.

3. Upload nice, bright pictures showing your property off at its best. Remove all clutter before taking the snaps and make sure the lighting is flattering.

4. Supply your home number, mobile number and email address, to give interested parties plenty of options to get in touch and make a viewing appointment.

5. When taking a viewing, first impressions count, so make sure that the outside of the property is in pristine condition, with hedges trimmed and dustbins emptied.

6. Make sure that your doorbell works - it would be a crying shame to lose a viewing just because you don't answer the door.

7. During viewings, the inside of the property should be clean, tidy and clutter free.
If the décor is outdated or an acquired taste, a fresh coat of neutral coloured paint throughout the property will be a good investment.

8. Make sure that the space is welcoming with light bulbs working and finishing touches like fresh flowers and freshly brewed coffee on the go.

9. If you plan to rent out your property, make sure you have a suitable rental agreement drawn up. If you are selling your property, you will need to agree a fixed fee with a good conveyancing solicitor. An expert like Briffy.com will be able to offer assistance in both instances.

10. If you secure a tenant, take a deposit and references from a previous landlord and a current employer. If the tenant cannot supply these, find another. Once you have agreed a sale, take down the buyer's full details and then run through a checklist of what needs to take place to follow the sale through to completion. Your solicitor will help you with this.

Source: Briffy.com