Estate Agency is changing. I have spent my whole career in a traditional High Street Estate Agents. That is until now. The office located in a prominent position usually on a High Street where foot flow is high. I used to love people coming into the office, brimming with excitement as they browsed the window for their dream home. They would sit down at the desk and we could chat and discuss their needs over a cup of tea or coffee before handing them a bundle of property brochures to go away with and browse.
But now as our time becomes more precious and everything can be done at the click of a button Estate Agency has had to catch up with the rest of the world. Online portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla are quickly replacing the shop window and selling and buying houses online is now the norm.
So what are the main differences between High Street Estate Agents and Online Estate Agents and what we do here at Chambers Estate and Letting Agents?
The High Street Estate Agent.
The High Street Agent, the traditional estate agent. A traditional office usually in a busy town or High Street that will usually be home to a team of staff. Administration Staff, Negotiators, Valuers, Letting agents and managers. They will market your property on a host of property portals and will usually offer you a host of extras and packages. The general charge for a basic package in a High Street Agent is anywhere from 1%-2% of your final selling fee. They often lock you into long sole agency agreements and can charge a fee for coming out of the contract early. Most larger corporate agents have to satisfy directors and share holders and their sales tactics can very much be performance driven.
The Online Estate Agent.
The online estate agent will conduct almost all of the sale process from valuation to sale agreed online. You are unlikely to see a person but will speak with a representative online or via a call centre. The agents are unlikely to be based in the area that you live and any valuation is based on internet research and the information you provide them. You will have your property marketed on the prime property portals. In most cases you will have to accompany your own viewings around your home. Online agents will offer heavily discounted prices but most require that you pay for their services up front. You will pay their fee whether or not they sell your home.
Now onto us here at Chambers Estate and Letting Agents.
Here we take the best bits of traditional High Street Estate Agents and the best bits of the Online Estate Agents, polish them and give a service that is both traditional in its values but modern in its approach. So what does that mean?
We are local, we know the local property market, we have experience in selling and letting properties in Water Orton, Coleshill, Marston Green, Chelmsley Wood, Sheldon, Castle Bromwich and surrounding areas. We will research the latest property prices but also factor in our local knowledge. We will come and visit you and your home and get to know you. We want to build a working relationship and be a friendly face that you can call upon at any stage of your property journey.
We are independent and proudly so. Unlike our High Street competitors we don't have the overheads that are incorporated in the physical running of a High Street office. We have no share holders or board of directors to satisfy. This means we keep our prices competitive and can structure a package around you and your lifestyle. We won't sell you any unnecessary extras.
<p.We advertise your property on Rightmove and Zoopla (including Prime Location). Around 85-95% of all potential buyers begin their search on these portals. Unlike some traditional high street agents we have embraced social media advertising and have a growing list of followers on Twitter and Facebook. We pro actively use all portals. All of our properties are online within 24 hours after the brochure is signed off by our client.
We will unless you say otherwise accompany every one of your viewings. We will progress the sale on your behalf including speaking with solicitors and other agents in the Sales Chain.
We will contact you regularly and offer feedback from all of your viewings.
We take pride in our reputation, photographs and adverts.
Any additional services we offer such as conveyancing and mortgage services are from a close circle of trusted firms who we have used a number of times previously.
Finally we feel feel thankful and honoured that each and every client has chosen us to act on their behalf.
