One of the first decisions you will probably have to make when selling your house is whether to choose an online or a high street estate agency. There are many agencies to choose from and it can seem somewhat overwhelming, but if you take the time to compare them it is almost certain there is one that fits your needs. Both choices come with pros and cons. There are differences in services offered and differences in price. Let’s take a look at some of those differences between the two in order to make your choice a little easier.
Price
When it comes to price, online estate agents are very advantageous compared to their high street counterparts. Selling online can easily save you thousands of pounds. Though prices might be a bit higher than advertised when calculating some of the added services, online estate agents are the way to go if price is an important factor for you.
Personal service
One thing that high street agencies offer is personal service. You can walk in to an agency and sit down with your agent whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. You can talk about the sale of your house with an actual person. For many people, this personal contact can be very reassuring to know who will be in charge of selling their home. This is one of the great advantages of high street agencies.
Accompanied viewings
High street estate agents usually have accompanied viewings included in their initial price (though be sure to check this when signing a contract). Some Internet estate agents are catching up and now offer accompanied viewings as well through local agents, often this is a service for which you will need to pay extra.
Experience
The high street estate agents have often grown up in the area where they work. This gives them intimate knowledge of the region, an edge when selling your home because they will be able to talk to potential buyers about everything the place has to offer.
Support
High street estate agents will be able to help you with any questions you might have regarding the sale of your home, but most of them will work according to normal business hours. When dealing with online estate agents, you can usually count on 24/7 support. Having someone available round-the-clock to help you with your doubts can be a great benefit, especially when you yourself work during business hours.
As you can see, both have their advantages and disadvantages. Ask yourself what it is you are looking for in an agent; this can help you narrow down your list of options, and then choose one that fits your needs.
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