We’re Booming!

18th June 2013

We’re continuing to go from strength to strength with growth of 63% in the last three months.  Over 300 homes were listed during May alone.

eMoov founder, Russell Quirk says

eMoov is on course to save UK home owners over £3m in estate agent commission fees in 2013 and we’ve already saved customers over £6m in the three years since our launch

It’s amazing in light of this growth to know that there are still a lot of sellers who are not aware that there’s an alternative to high street estate agents.

We recently hired Ipsos Mori to conduct a poll on our behalf.  The results show that over half (53%) of Britons are not aware that an alternative to traditional high street estate agents exists.  However, once made aware, most said they would use an online agent to save fees.

eMoov Ipsos Mori poll

 

Russell adds,

The fact that high street estate agents are still able to get away with charging extortionate commission fees, when almost all property searches now start online, is beyond me and illustrates that more needs to be done to raise awareness and to bring the entire industry into the 21st century.

The commission structure estate agents use hasn’t changed in decades and has resulted in huge hikes in income for estate agents as house prices have risen, despite recession and boom and bust in the property market, so it’s about time something came along to upset the accepted status quo.

What’s been your experience of selling your home?  Did you use a traditional agent or join the online revolution?

 

Category: Estate Agency, Online | Comments: 0

Rooms with a View

9th June 2013

Being a UK-wide online estate agent, we are lucky enough to deal with clients across our great land. We have to admit, though, that we do get just a little bit jealous when see some of the spectacular views our properties enjoy on a day-to-day basis…

Category: Estate Agency, Just Fun, Online | Comments: 0

Homestager of the Year Award Competition

2nd June 2013

Four in 10 UK homes have sold at a loss since 2007, according to recent analysis of Land Registry figures. The average shortfall during the period was… £24,430.  This is huge!

One of the easiest – and most affordable ways – that you can help your home sell quickly at the asking price is to “stage” your property.  With most viewers forming an opinion about your home within 7-10 seconds of walking in, it’s essential that you think about how you make that perfect first impression.

Home staging before and after photo 2

Over 90% of buyers look at homes they’ve found on the Internet. It is critical that your home makes a strong first impression online, too. Staging will help you do just that.

And if you’re still not convinced, the Real Estate Staging Association reports that in controlled tests selling identical homes, professionally staged vs. those not staged, the non-staged houses sold in 102 days, while the staged houses sold in 45 days.

We’ve pulled together a team of UK design experts to give you their 6 top tips for getting your home ready to sell:

  1. Declutter and then deep clean your property. – Alison Armitage
  2. Appeal to the viewers’ sense of smell and put on a pot of coffee, bake some bread or light a scented candle before they arrive. Most people’s moods are lifted by lovely smells! – Antonia Burnett
  3. Make the frontage gorgeous, and ensure that the front door area is welcoming.  The property should be easy to find, with the house number visible, and make sure that the doorbell works. – Chrissy Halton
  4. Remove everything that isn’t decorative. Ask yourself  “Would I see this item in a show home?” and if the answer is no, put it out of sight. – Lynn Pick
  5. Make an effort to visit your local market and buy fresh flowers to decorate the lounge, kitchen, dining room and master bedroom. – Rhonda Deal
  6. Clearly define how the available space can be used to its maximum potential. For example, even the smallest outdoor space can be presented as an attractive ‘extra room’. – Tracey Parkinson

We know some of you have already done a fantastic job of staging your home and we’d like to recognise your achievements!  Send us your best before-and-after photos and you might just be in the running to win an iPad Mini!

Check out our Homestager of the Year Competition

Category: Home Staging, Just Fun | Comments: 0

Estate Agent Jargon Translator

20th May 2013

Being a traditional estate agent is arguably the UK’s most contemptuous profession.  Not only is it one of the few industries not to be formally regulated, but for years the British public has been fleeced by traditional estate agents charging an extortionate and unnecessary 1-2 per cent plus vat commission for simply selling their home.  That means that on a house worth £250,000, the average estate agent makes £4,000 in commission.

eMoov.co.uk is a new breed of low cost online estate agent though who only charge its clients a one-off fee of £395 plus vat.  They offer a full estate agency service but for a fraction of the cost.  Founder Russell Quirk believes that “British homeowners have put up with the rising fees of the traditional estate agents for too long and that it’s time for agents to be straight with them”.  In light of this eMoov.co.uk have put together the very first Estate Agent Jargon Translator to help you see through the usual hogwash:

eMoov Estate Agent Jargon Translator
What’s the most outlandish piece of estate agent waffle you’ve ever heard?   Tell us below…

Category: Estate Agency, Infographics, Just Fun | Comments: 0

How to value your property

16th May 2013

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face is how much to ask for their properties.  Most vendors will ask 2-3 traditional estate agents to come round to give valuations.

It’s easy to be seduced by the highest amount, but beware: usually that agent is trying to secure your business and knows you will be swayed by the thought of more money in your pocket.  (And, of course, he’s hoping for the extra cash in his pocket, too!)

Here’s the reality: buyers are very savvy about property values, thanks to online sites like Rightmove and Zoopla, and will know if your house is overpriced.  The more overpriced, the longer it will likely take for you to sell your home.

eMoov founder, Russell Quirk, recommends you do your own homework before phoning any high street agents.  Using resources like

you’ll get a good idea of what the market will bear right now.

Of course, it’s always possible you have an exceptional property that doesn’t match other homes in your area.  You’ll be sure that at eMoov.co.uk we’ll give you our honest, professional opinion about a realistic asking price.   Remember, we charge a flat fee to sell your home, so overinflating valuations is not a motivation for us to get your business.  We just want to help you sell your home quickly and efficiently – and for a whole lot less than high street agents.

Check out Russell giving his top tips on choosing the best price for your own home:

Category: Estate Agency, Fee Saving, Home Values, House Prices, Online | Comments: 0

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