Hi ladies and gents
I've finally got around to putting something on a site that I hold close to my heart... I've never liked the fact estate agents seem to do so little to get their commission on a house sale and feel alot of other people feel the same way about them..
So with that in mind I've decided to make listing homes for sale absolutely free on my new site which is - Sell my house. And there's no catch whatsoever!
I would like it if I could get some feedback on the site, and the idea itself?
Cheers
Matt
Well it's not competing with Sarah Beeny's site telipo (?) which is offering the chance to win a visit from her...
I'm assume you know people need a HIP to market their home.
Piccys aren't that big - I'd like zoomable pictures.
And you'll need floorplans, online HIP, video options to compete with some of the better estate agent sites.
I've never seen a map plan of the house in it's grounds on one - if you want to be a bit more unique.
And lots more properties.
Hi Matt
Its a good idea although you will probably need to push it harder than you may think.
I ran through this process myself in the last few weeks...
I just put my house on the market a couple of days ago and would have really liked to have bypassed the estate agents this time around, simply because they are lazy buggers who don't want to work for their money.
I did look at a few sites that offer a similar service to yourself. (although some do charge a small fee.)
The problem is, that as much as I would like to stick my house on a site like yours...
I'm not likely to sell it am I!?
Right now my house is for sale with an agent but of course I can't sell it elsewhere as I will still be subject to the agents fee.
Thats the main obstacle that you have got!
Maybe the best way to overcome this would be to offer other similar services which will attract traffic and potential buyers. (When you get the buyers - you need to bang on about it! thats the only way you will get anyone to advertise. - Free or not!)
One that springs to mind is what "houseprices.co.uk" do.
But setting up that kind of thing will need investment.
Got luck with your site... I do like the idea.
Cheers
Mike
It's a good idea - it's that simple.Originally Posted by Matt Seigneur
Your toughest challenge is getting masses of people to add a listing - everything else is a minor concern after that.
Thanks for the replies
Mogga - not sure what you mean by sarah beeny's telipo site?? - Not sure where I could get floorplans from but will look into it!
Mike Scott - I think that it would need to be pushed very hard yes, but the idea itself should automatically attract sellers, and most sellers will want to buy elsewhere too - that's my line of thinking! And if people are open to the idea of selling privately then they'll be open to buying privately too, so potentially higher chance of enquiring about other houses (once there's enough on there!). Don't quote me on this but *usually* theres nothing to stop you from selling your house privately unless stated in the terms with the estate agent. - Thanks for the suggestions! :tup
thebusiness - yep that's right, it's all well and good having a great idea that could work, the hard part is telling the masses about it!
Matt Seigneur (12-10-09)
Wow thanks for that Mogga!Very positive really.. Telipo.com though doesnt really say anything to me lol..
That's why she does tv programs and you do websitesWow thanks for that Mogga!
Yeah hahaThat's why she does tv programs and you do websites
Wow thanks for that Mogga!
Well it's your competition. She's got a rubbish domain name though imo
279,950, Goodman Drive, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 - Tepilo
This shows a floor map. One or two of my local EA uses them but not all. I think they're useful.
Her map stuff shows local schools etc which is one of the things poeple look for when buying a house.
Mike Scott - I think that it would need to be pushed very hard yes, but the idea itself should automatically attract sellers, and most sellers will want to buy elsewhere too - that's my line of thinking! And if people are open to the idea of selling privately then they'll be open to buying privately too, so potentially higher chance of enquiring about other houses (once there's enough on there!). Don't quote me on this but *usually* theres nothing to stop you from selling your house privately unless stated in the terms with the estate agent. - Thanks for the suggestions! :tup
Hi,
If I sell my house privately I am still liable to pay the esate agent their %
You need to be aware of that.
You say the idea will attract sellers but I think your wrong.
I'm not knocking your idea just your model.
Advertising my house for free isn't going to get me to list my house on your website.
Saving fees is all well and good but foremost I need to sell my house!
Maybe...?? You need to be able to raise cash to be able to advertise your listings!?
Possible through sites similar to rightmove.
The main point I'm trying to make is...
Your going to have to focus more on proving you could actually be able to sell peoples houses if you stand any chance of getting a huge amount of listings to grow your site.
Maybe I'm wrong but I've just giving you the perspective of someone who's just put their house on the market.
This info should be like gold dust for you
Cheers
Mike
Ok thanks - my understanding was that it's not always the case, I could be wrong!
The idea will attract sellers imo, not having to pay estate agents fees is a big benefit.. however i do now see your point of view, they really need to be convinced they can actually sell their house to get that benefit!!You say the idea will attract sellers but I think your wrong.
I'm not knocking your idea just your model.
Advertising my house for free isn't going to get me to list my house on your website.
Saving fees is all well and good but foremost I need to sell my house!
Definitely food for thought Mike, cheers for the feedback :tupMaybe...?? You need to be able to raise cash to be able to advertise your listings!?
Possible through sites similar to rightmove.
The main point I'm trying to make is...
Your going to have to focus more on proving you could actually be able to sell peoples houses if you stand any chance of getting a huge amount of listings to grow your site.
Maybe I'm wrong but I've just giving you the perspective of someone who's just put their house on the market.
This info should be like gold dust for you
Cheers
Mike
Matt
You could potentially have alot of money to play with here.
I'd happily pay you £500 just to list my house on your site.
Thats if you could sell my house!
And I'd have saved a packet too. :tup
I just think if you leave things as they are ..your site will get stuck in the mud.
TBH I can't see it growing.
Its one of those that needs investment if its gonna kick off and the money is available so why no use it?
Mike
I'm def not leaving things as they are
You can easily get more listings by offering to list houses already up for sale - it isn't costing anything so why should anyone object. It doesn't matter if they are tied to an agent.I'm def not leaving things as they are
The key is to get a lot of listings, regardless of whether you can monetise them or not - this will attract your target audience eventually.
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