Selling Without an Estate Agent

[googler]

"The internet EAs can do it just as effectively as those "traditional" EAs that have an office. What's the difference? The point I was making is that there aren't many of them and the internet EAs are practically unknown by Joe Public. "

If the Internet EAs "are practically unknown by Joe Public" then they CAN'T do it just as effectively as those who ARE known by Joe Public. The ones who ARE known to the public will get more web traffic, surely?

"on a proprietary website.... "

These are the sites where everybody looks first, at least in my area of the country. These are the ones that ARE known by Joe Public, and the ones that get the web traffic. The agents that put their properties here ALSO market them outside the internet, with press, high-street windows, etc. Everybody bangs on about HAVING to be on Rightmove, but it just doesn't hold true around here. Only a minority of properties on it, and no apparent sign of that changing.

Take a walk down your high street and observe your public; watch how when they reach an EAs window, they stop. They look. They observe what's new. They compare to their own or their neighbour's. They might go in and ask. They talk to neighbours about them when they get home. etc. etc.

A large part of what an EA does is "marketing", but - I see marketing extending BEYOND just internet exposure, and I see internet exposure as only PART OF the marketing, and one element of what they do.

You seem to see Internet as the sum total of it, and yet seem to admit that it's still a maturing technology.... I don't think I misunderstood your statement "the power of the internet has yet to be realised"

And the last part of your post is verging on condescending. Change your tone, if you please.

I think I'm reasonably intelligent, and it strikes me that a lot of what I would see an EA doing is non-internet based activity. I see their internet presence as only part of the whole.

[drhouse]

Originally Posted by Homeseller

Interestingly, I wonder how long it will be before the high street EA employs the internet EA to do his marketing for him. My guess is that there will be a time when internet EAs will be more effective at it and be able to do it more cost effectively with better economies of scale than the high street EA. Give it 5 years and I bet you see a few takeovers by the larger EA chains.

I also found your post condescending. No-one is disputing the internet is a very important tool in selling property but why should I employ an internet EA when I can list on these portals myself relatively easily. At my last count I had about 15 + free sites with at least an additional 5-10 paid for ones available. What I am saying is we need to see them fight it out. The fittest will survive and then we can decide what portals to go on. To go on them all is cost prohibitive but if an internet EA came along and said they could get me on every portal for a pound a week then yes I would go for that !

I still maintain that I can do more for a seller than any internet only agent. I do their viewings, I promote their property to buyers who phone me and come in the office, I advertise them in the Press, I take their photos and produce their schedules, I organise their Home Reports, I negotiate on their offers, I provide advice, I listen to what they have to say, I plump up their cushions when I go to do a viewing, on occasions I have cleaned out the cat litter tray and walked their dogs. In short I bloody care about them (not all of them I agree !). The day the internet uses me as opposed to me using the internet I will give it all up.

As to takeovers from the larger chains, in Scotland it is the larger chains who are in trouble and are shutting branches. I may just have one office but I am still here.

[googler]

"The day the internet uses me as opposed to me using the internet I will give it all up."

Well said, sir..... (or madam).

[googler]

"on occasions I have cleaned out the cat litter tray "

Service above and beyond the call of duty, indeed...

[googler]

"Googler sees no possible change in the market..."

I don't think I said that .....

[googler]

"Look, my point is ..."

This reads like the verbal equivalent of grabbing me by my lapels, pulling me torward you, and making your say from close range..... but maybe it's just the way I'm reading it, as it's directed at me. Others may see it more neutrally. Later.

[drhouse]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Homeseller

I apologised to him. I meant no offence. I'm not apologising to you.

I don't think I asked for an apology so that is ok then

Absolutely! That's what I am saying! What if, because internet EAs end up paying the portals so much that they get better deals than traditional EAs (particularly smaller ones)? Would that make you use an internet EA purely for marketing i.e. retaining all the other things you do for your customer?

Of course if I could get this service at a cost I felt was worthwhile why wouldn't I use it ? As I have said I do use portals and will continue to use them but in the current market that price would have to be pretty low to employ a middleman for something I can do myself. In my view there is a shakedown coming in property portals. More free to list or pay per lead are emerging. I don't think Right Move should be making themselves too comfy in that top slot just yet. Also although I may use an internet EA for marketing on the internet, I wouldn't use them for the other marketing I do.

Of course. Those sellers that value you cleaning out their cat litter and are prepared to pay 2% plus VAT for it will go on employing you for years to come, I am sure. You must concede, however, that there are others who might not value what you do in quite the same way and might want a cheaper alternative possibly with a few less services?

Now that is condescending I am sadly going to admit that getting 1% here is a struggle (makes me wish I was southerner I do admit) but I have at least 20 agents in competition. Actually in the last 6 months that has reduced to about 15. However, of course there are some who want a cheaper alternative - not always with less services necessarily. That's fair enough. It is down to me to persuade them I will provide value for money but if they want to go the basic route then that is fine. I have considered a tiered service but am not really comfortable with it.

What frustrates me in this debate is that Googler sees no possible change in the market and, to me, that is unrealistic. There has been not one single concession that anything I have said has a ring of truth or realism to it. I apologise to him again, though, for appearing to be condescending - this was borne out of frustration and I don't want to ruin a very good debate by any personal stuff.

I am certainly not going to presume to speak for Googler but I think he is very aware of the internet and market changes, but as he says, in Scotland the portals like Right Move and Prime Location are not as well used as in the South. Have a look at the house price crash forums for Scotland and you will see what I mean. Solicitor Property Centres are much more widely quoted.

I don't know what that means. Can you explain? My point above is that it's about getting the biggest bang for your buck and if the internet EAs can get you the best deal then why wouldn't you use them? That's just an intelligent use of your time and money isn't it? It hasn't happened yet but, as I said before, give it five or so years and who knows? Could be possible, no?

Basically I mean that I don't want to be 'blackmailed' into having to list on every property portal available. I want to use the internet to mine and my clients advantage.

Long may it remain so. As a businessman, I'm sure you think about this stuff every day of the year so it's real for you. I'm sorry but I don't know much about the Scottish market. Committed Southerner and, for that, I do apologise to you.

I want to add that I have seen several agents close and many more staff have had their hours cut. For me, as far as Right Move was concerned, the monthly outlay saved meant I could put that money towards a staff members wages and keep her in employment. No contest - she adds more value to my business than any property portal !

[drhouse]

Originally Posted by googler

"on occasions I have cleaned out the cat litter tray "

Service above and beyond the call of duty, indeed...

It is madam by the way. When did you last see a man clean the litter tray

That same cat got such a fright when I turned up it shot up the chimney and I spent ages trying to get it out - only to be told later that Sooty always goes up there !

[brian]

I'm sure googler is still around, but keeping busy.

[googler]

Here in mind, but not keyboard..... busy with other stuff. Later....