Most people can flog a Smurf TV tray, a Pac Man Fever lunchbox , or a slightly-damaged golf bag. But how many people are bold enough to sell our homes on the world wide web?

Plenty, according to a survey by first4sale.com, a new online property website. Research by YouGov, which questioned over 2 thousand UK citizens, observed that seventy percent are comfortable selling their most valuable item - their property - over the net. The comparatively new concept of SIY - Sell it Yourself - could save four billion pounds in unnecessary estate agency commission, reasons first4sale.com. “It reflects consumer confidence in the internet,” says Mark Fisher, First4sales.com chief executive. “The net has over 10 million users in this country. SIY has evolved quickly from dealing in smaller, low-valued possessions. More than one hundred and ninety cars are sold on the Internet each year, and houses are now the latest big-ticket item to sell yourself.”
You can see why. By selling on the net, you avoid the agent’s fees, typically 1ú5 to 2 percent of the total price. Fisher points out that on a œ300,000 house, , the owner could save more than five thousand pounds.

But does it work? Only three months ago, Richard Batten, a computer company director from Finchley, north London, put a deceased relatives house in Golders Green on the market for œ799,000 with first4sale. “I don’t trust agents,” says Batten, “and as I was not under pressure to sell quickly, I thought I’d give it a go.” Within a couple of weeks, Batten had 13 inquiries - mostly from the For Sale board, he adds - and an offer from a family in Hampstead that is going through at just below the asking price. He has had a survey done and Mr Battern hopes to exchange before long. “I do not see the added value from an agent, and this way you deal directly with the buyer.” Now he is selling his own house, shared with his partner. Now he has two potential buyers who did turn up both put in offers. “Altogether, I will save œ25,000 on agents’ fees,” he says.

bio = Edward Bennett
First4sale.co.uk

Popularity: 7% [?]

Subscribe

You may also be interested in...
www.pastrykicks.comNo related posts

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 14th, 2006 at 3:56 am and is filed under Family. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.