The Norfolk Agents are a ‘hybrid’ estate agent – we market our properties both on the high street and online.
If you’ve ever thought about selling your home, you’ve probably run up against that familiar battle – online vs traditional estate agents who also market properties online. In recent years, digital platforms have made it easier than ever to sell properties online and for buyers to find exactly what they need without a trip to their local estate agent. However, research from The Advisory, an industry expert on house selling, has said there are some crucial reasons to choose a ‘hybrid’ high street estate agent vs an online agent!
Their research looked at viewing numbers, offer numbers, buyer security and higher sales prices, finding that using a ‘hybrid’ estate agent who has a physical high street presence to sell your house comes up trumps every time. For instance, using the right traditional agent can increase viewings by 48% and offer numbers were 64% higher. As well as this, 73% of respondents said the best buyer and offer came from those generated from an estate agent rather than an online property marketplace. Finally, in comparison to using a listing service, sellers were able to secure an average higher sale price of 5%!
When it comes to online agents vs ‘hybrid’ estate agents, here are our best reasons to choose a ‘hybrid’ agent…
1. Expert Local Knowledge
Don’t underestimate the value of local market knowledge when you’re considering a traditional estate agent to sell your house. These agents will not only be familiar with the local area, they’ll also be attuned to the changes in local market conditions. Instead of pitching a property at an unrealistically high price, local agents will know what’s likely to sell and, as importantly, what’s likely to sell quickly. Properties that linger on the market are liable to become invisible to buyers, while inflated prices can put off buyers who don’t think they’ll get a mortgage for that property.
Traditional ‘hybrid’ estate agents know their area well and, as it’s a very defined area, they can offer good advice. Conversely, online sellers generally cover wider areas, diluting their local knowledge and reducing their effectiveness for the seller.
2. Usually No Upfront Payment
Money matters when it comes to choosing the perfect estate agent to sell your home and the online model of selling a property can fall short on this measure. The cheaper packages (i.e. the ones that make the banners on their websites) are generally ones which involve upfront payment and a major downside of this is that the incentive to sell the property diminishes the moment the payment is handed over.
However, when you choose a ‘hybrid’ estate agent to sell your house on a commission basis, they’ve got the fire in their belly – if they sell your home quickly, they get their commission quickly. While some sellers look closely at the numbers and decide it would be cheaper to sell via an online agent, that all depends whether the property sells.
3. Management of Chain Purchasing
Another tick for high street estate agents when you’re considering online estate agents vs traditional agencies is that traditional agents are more adept at managing complex chains for multiple buyers and sellers. Although you selling your home and perhaps buying another are the only things you’re thinking about, a traditional, high street agent can help negotiate and manage parties including buyers, sellers, solicitors and other estate agencies throughout the process. This is a hugely underrated skill, but it can make or break any sale.
4. Guidance Throughout the Sale Process
Just like chain management, being able to effectively guide sellers and buyers through the process is one of the top reasons to choose a high street ‘hybrid’ estate agent. These agencies thrive on their local reputation, so it’s important for them to offer a first-class service every time. Similarly, they generally offer a more personal service than online agencies, primarily thanks to those bricks and mortar locations which make people feel more comfortable with the buying and selling process. Remember, it can be a huge thing to buy or sell a property for many people, so that personal touch helps.
5. Online & Offline Marketing
It stands to reason that online estate agents are going to be focused on the online market, but what about the world of marketing opportunities available offline? If you choose a ‘hybrid’ estate agent to sell your house, you’ll be working with a single point of contact who has experience in all relevant marketing channels and understands how they can work to the advantage of sellers. For instance, while window space in an estate agency may seem old-fashioned, it really works to catch the attention of passers-by – and that can lead to viewings and sales from unexpected places.
Choose The Norfolk Agents to Help Sell Your Home
If you’re looking to sell your property in Norfolk, look no further than The Norfolk Agents. We’re a trusted ‘hybrid’ estate agency with no contract lock-ins. We know how to market your property to exactly the right buyers. With commission-based pricing or flat fees starting from just £1,250 + VAT, there’s never been a better time to choose a hybrid estate agent to sell your house.
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