Online estate agents in Solihull

Selling a house can be a daunting and costly process. This is especially true when navigating a competitive property market in Solihull. With traditional estate agents, the average commission fee is 1%, which might not seem like much.

However, when the average Solihull property is £500,000, the fee amounts to £5,000. Because of this, many homeowners are opting for online estate agents instead, and according to Home Owners Alliance, they have been significantly growing from the 7% of UK home sales in 2023.

Digital platforms have revolutionised the property industry by offering affordable services, helping sellers save money while reaching a wide audience of potential buyers. We will explore the role of estate agents, break down the fees involved in selling your home, and how you can find the cheapest estate agents Solihull has to offer. When selling your property, it is always best to know which options are available so you can make informed decisions.

What does an estate agent do?

Estate agents play a crucial role in the property selling process. They have been a traditional method for selling a house, offering expertise and services to streamline transactions and maximise property value. Whether you are selling through a traditional agent or an online platform, their responsibilities include:

Marketing Your Property

The primary responsibility of an estate agent is to market your property in the best possible light to attract potential buyers. Estate agents who are experts in the field will often use professional photography for this, as it plays a vital role in property marketing, especially regarding online listings. Some agents might even offer virtual tours or drone photography if your property is large enough to require this.

Property listings are also part of the marketing responsibility, and good estate agents will utilise some of the most popular platforms, such as Rightmove and Zoopla, to advertise your property. Some may even use their own agency website as well as other sources they might have to promote your property.

It is important to hire an estate agent who understands your property and the local market so they can create a customised marketing strategy that will attract the buyers you are looking for. This can even involve social media campaigns and direct mail. While the cheapest estate agents Solihull might not offer all of these marketing traits, you should try to find one that does.

Managing Viewings and Negotiations

Organising property viewings and handling negotiations on your behalf is something that every estate agent must do. They will answer any questions that buyers may have and highlight the key features of your property during the tour, so it is important to mention all the details about your property to your estate agents when you hire them.

Administrative and Legal Support

Some of the tasks that estate agents undertake include the administrative work associated with the sale. This includes drafting contracts with solicitors, ensuring that the property meets all legal requirements such as Energy Performance Certificates, and, of course, verifying that the buyers are actually qualified to purchase your property.

If any issues arise during the selling process, estate agents act as intermediaries between you and the buyer’s legal team, doing their utmost to resolve all matters.

What fees do I pay when selling with a Solihull estate agent?

When selling your property in Solihull, understanding the fees involved is crucial for budgeting and maximising your profits. Estate agent fees can vary widely depending on whether you opt for a traditional agent or an online estate agent.

Traditional Estate Agent Fees

Traditional estate agents typically charge a commission fee based on a percentage of the final sale price. This is usually 1%, but it can go up to 3%, plus VAT. For example, for a property sold at Solihull’s average house price of £502,093, a 1.5% commission would amount to approximately £7,531 (including VAT).

This price will include services such as marketing, viewings, negotiations, and administrative support. If there are any other premium services, these will be added on top of this price.

Online Estate Agent Fees

The more affordable option is online estate agents that operate on fixed fees or pay-as-you-go pricing models. These are typically much lower than traditional commission rates but are usually paid upfront and sometimes after the sale. For example, online agents such as Purplebricks charge fees starting from £999, which includes marketing, photography, and property listings.

Some online agents allow you to defer payment until after the sale, which is particularly useful for luxurious properties. However, this may come with additional charges along the way. There are also many optional fees that you can incur when working with an online agent in the form of add-ons. This may include professional photography, hosted viewings, or some kind of enhanced marketing package that may highlight your property. Even with the add-on fees, online estate agents often represent a much cheaper option than traditional ones.

Hidden Costs and Additional Expenses

Of course, regardless of the type of agent you choose, there are likely to be some hidden costs that you need to consider when it comes to selling your property. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), for example, is required for all property sales, and it typically costs between £50 and £120. Depending on the solicitor you hire for the legal work, this can cost an additional £500 to £1,500 based on how complicated the sale is. There are also removal costs if you are moving some items out of the property, and this can vary significantly but may also cut hundreds from your budget.

Cheapest estate agents in Solihull

Finding the cheapest estate agents Solihull can help you save money while still ensuring your property is marketed effectively to potential buyers. Here are some of the most affordable options:

Purplebricks

One of the better-known online estate agents is Purplebricks. Their starting fee is £999, and their services include professional photography, property listings on major platforms, and 24/7 online management tools.

Yopa

Another popular choice is Yopa, and their fees also begin at £999. They include property marketing and listings, and if you wish, you can obtain some add-ons such as hosted viewings and premium advertising.

Strike

Strike stands out by offering a free basic service, and they earn revenue through optional extras such as premium listings and conveyancing referrals. If you are looking for the cheapest estate agents Solihull, Strike might be the one you are after.

Doorsteps.co.uk

With a starting fee of £599, Doorsteps.co.uk is considered one of the most affordable online estate agents. Their packages include property listings, photography, and advertising on major portals.

Emoov

Emoov offers excellent service for a fixed fee that starts at £995, which includes valuations, professional marketing, and support through to the completion of the sale.

The Modern House

If your property has some unique architecture, then The Modern House might be the best estate agent to consider. They provide outstanding marketing, and their fee is based on the sale price.

Connells

While a more traditional estate agent, Connells has a strong presence in Solihull, making them a great option for many. They offer competitive fees to sellers, which are often negotiable based on the property and the services required.

Dixons Estate Agents

Another local option worth considering is Dixons. They offer flexible commission structures and personalised services, and while not as cheap as some online agents, they are more affordable than other traditional estate agents.

Other cheap ways to sell your house in Solihull

If you are looking to save money on estate agent fees, there are a couple of methods you can use to sell your house in Solihull. Some of these methods are just as effective regarding the price you can achieve for your property while being more affordable. These methods completely bypass traditional and online estate agents, allowing you to reduce costs significantly.

The cheapest way to sell a property is to do it privately, as this will avoid all estate agent fees and secure the price you desire. Of course, you will need to handle all the marketing and other tasks involved in the sale yourself, which can be time-consuming. A good alternative is to consider property auctions, and even if they have fees, they are not as high as those of estate agents. Competitive bidding can sometimes yield a higher selling price than expected. Auction houses are also relatively quick, taking around 28 days.

You can also sell quickly and cost-effectively to a cash buyer or a property-buying company. The Property Buying Company has been in business for many years and can provide you with an offer for your property without any obligations. We buy properties regardless of their condition, so you will not have to deal with repairs, viewings, and negotiations. All you need to do is contact us, and we can provide you with a free valuation. We can finalise the sale in as little as seven days while covering all the additional fees related to the sale, so you will not encounter any hidden costs.