Online Estate Agent Reviews

Compare Online Estate Agents

Online real estate agents are a modern innovation, offering all the services a traditional real estate agent does, only via the internet. This way, you get to enjoy lower costs on services than you would with a High Street real estate agent and much more convenience, as you can access the service anywhere via your mobile device or computer. The aim of online real estate agencies is to provide those seeking to transact with property more control over how they can rent or sell, as well as help them save money in the process.

Estate Agent	Basic Package Price	Sale Price Achieved	Our Verdict	TrustPilot User Rating
Purple Bricks	Basic Package Price £849Incl. VATMore details Purple Bricks Close This agency provides services that help people buy or sell their homes, all across the UK. Unlike High Street agencies, Purple Bricks do not charge a commission and boast many professional agents amongst their staff, who are able to skilfully guide home-sellers/buyers. The customer reviews point to them being a trusted organisation that deliver good results.	Sale Price Achieved 97%	Purple Bricks	Trust Pilot Rating 9.5 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Hatched	Basic Package Price £495Incl. VATMore details Hatched.co.uk Close This online real estate agency is regarded as the UK’s ‘Original Online Estate Agents’. Hatched’s services are available in three distinct packages that each offer unique benefits. The basic package costs £495, whilst the enhanced and traditional packages cost £895 and £1,696 respectively. Customer reviews indicate Hatched has a high success rate in selling clients’ properties.	Sale Price Achieved 98%	Hatched.co.uk	Trust Pilot Rating 8.0 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Doorsteps	Basic Package Price £99Incl. VATMore details Doorsteps.co.uk Close This online agency’s services are available 24/7 and allow you to successfully sell your home without having to pay a commission. The company is celebrated as the ‘UK’s 18th largest estate agent’. Its services are affordable and customer reviews indicate not only a high success rate when it comes to sales, but other services also.	Sale Price Achieved 97%	Door Steps	Trust Pilot Rating 9.6 Read Reviews	Visit Website
HouseNetwork	Basic Package Price £775Incl. VATMore details House Network Close This award-winning platform helps clients sell houses at good prices and has a 98.6% achieved price average. Agents are professionals, with years of industry expertise and can guide you throughout the sales process. Reviews about the platform’s services are mostly positive.	Sale Price Achieved 95%	House Network	Trust Pilot Rating 9.3 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Housesimple	Basic Package Price £595Incl. VATMore details Housesimple.com Close The services of this agency are available at fixed fees, starting from £495. House Simple have won several awards and the company effectively sells houses by advertising homes on 500 of the UK’s most popular property websites. House Simple also has expert estate agents and other personnel on their staff to guide customers throughout a sale process. Customer reviews are available here.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	House Simple	Trust Pilot Rating 8.7 Read Reviews	Visit Website
eSale	Basic Package Price £595Incl. VATMore details Esale Close The basic agency fee charged by Esale is £595 and there are no hidden extra costs. Trust Pilot rates them as one of the top five estate agents to use in the UK, due to the level of customer satisfaction Esale clients enjoy. The company also offers a money back guarantee.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	eSale	Trust Pilot Rating 9.7 Read Reviews	Visit Website
YOPA	Basic Package Price £839Incl. VATMore details Yopa Close This company charges a fixed fee of £839. They offer to sell a client’s property at the best price by having it properly valued, while negotiating the best possible price with genuine potential customers. On average, clients who have sold homes through Yopa have been able to achieve over 98% of their asking price. You can read reviews here.	Sale Price Achieved 97%	YOPA	Trust Pilot Rating 9.4 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Settled	Basic Package Price £499Incl. VATMore details Settled Close This agency is accredited by the Property Ombudsman and claims that of all properties sold, 98% have met or exceeded the clients’ asking price. Also, the company claims to get an offer for clients’ homes within 17 Days on average. Settled is highly rated by customers on Trust Pilot.	Sale Price Achieved 98%	Settled	Trust Pilot Rating 9.4 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Sell My Home	Basic Package Price £695Incl. VATMore details sellmyhome.co.uk Close Customers using Sell My Home are usually able to achieve 98% of their asking price. Their full services are available for either a £795 or £1,499 fee, with no hidden charges. Each package offers unique benefits that help customers sell houses faster and more effectively. Reviews on Trust Pilot are very positive.	Sale Price Achieved 98%	Sell My Home	Trust Pilot Rating 9.8 Read Reviews	Visit Website
easy property	Basic Package Price £295Incl. VATMore details easyproperty.com Close This company uses local property professionals to help clients sell their home quickly. Their services are available in three distinct packages: Easy Speed, which costs £295, the Easy Standard at £825, and Easy Premium at £1,500. They also offer a free property valuation and are well spoken of on Trust Pilot.	Sale Price Achieved 95%	Easy Property	Trust Pilot Rating 8.0 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Emoov	Basic Package Price £795Incl. VATMore details Emoov Close This agency aims to make selling homes quicker and easier and accomplishes this thanks to their team of local property experts. Emoov is considered one of the best estate agencies in the UK, as is evident from their reviews. Their services are available at £795, with no hidden charges.	Sale Price Achieved 98%	Emoov	Trust Pilot Rating 9.4 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Tepilo	Basic Package Price £495Incl. VATMore details Tepilo Close This agency makes it possible to sell your home at less cost than would be possible if using a High Street real estate agent. Tepilo uses a range of advanced technology to serve its clients, but also has professional estate agents on hand to guide customers throughout a real estate transaction. Their customer reviews are mostly positive.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	Tepilo	Trust Pilot Rating 9.1 Read Reviews	Visit Website
Iam the agent	Basic Package Price £645Incl. VATMore details I Am The Agent Close This company puts clients in control of their properties. You can sell or rent a property online with ease thanks to I Am The Agent by showcasing it to millions of prospective buyers and tenants. Packages are competitively-priced and they enjoy excellent reviews from clients.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	I Am The Agent	Trust Pilot Rating 9.3 Read Reviews	Visit Website
121move	Basic Package Price £645Incl. VATMore details 121move.co.uk Close This company can help you save thousands of pounds in comparison to what you would spend if using a High Street real estate agent. Their online real estate services are fast, professional and easy to use. You can view what customers have to say about them here.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	121Move	Trust Pilot Rating 7.5 Read Reviews	Visit Website
your move	Basic Package Price £645Incl. VATMore details Your Move Close This online agency charges a commission rather than a fee. Its estate agents are available to help clients buy, sell, rent, and let properties. They advertise properties on popular portals such as Zoopla, Right Move and Prime Location. Its customer reviews on TrustPilot suggest that customers are mostly happy with their services.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	Your Move	Sale Price Achieved 8.9 Read Reviews	Visit Website
sell fast	Basic Package Price £0Incl. VATMore details Sellfast Close With Sellfast, you can create your own property listing using your own photos and have it advertised on Sellfast’s ‘For Sale’ board for free. Alternatively, you could use Sellfast’s all-inclusive package to sell your property quickly and cost-effectively at £490. You can check out their reviews here.	Sale Price Achieved 96%	Sell House Fast	Trust Pilot Rating 7.9 Read Reviews	Visit Website

FAQ’s

What are the advantages of using an online agent?

Most people in the UK who are trying to buy or sell property usually begin by looking for buyers or sellers online. This means a trustworthy online real estate platform is a great place to start searching.

Also, a traditional estate agent typically charges a commission or a percentage fee on every transaction they perform on your behalf. On the other hand, most online estate agents charge a fixed fee, which is usually lower than the cost of a typical commission.

Online real estate agency platforms also – more often than not – offer a quick and easy to use property valuation tool that’s free. If you are looking to sell or let out your property, online agencies can also help advertise your property on major portals that are regularly visited by millions of people. This is a service usually available at a fraction of what it would normally cost when using a High Street agent.

Another marked advantage is that an online agent’s services are usually available all year round, to serve you at your convenience, regardless of your location in the UK.

Who can use an online agent?

Anyone who is interested in the services of an online agent can do so. It is perhaps best for those wanting more control over the process of selling their property and who would like to save money buying or selling it. The websites of online agents are often easy to use, so no in-depth computer or internet knowledge is required to accomplish your goal. Also, services for most agents are available 24/7 and you can access it at any time that’s convenient for you.

Is it possible to use an online agent and a traditional agent at the same time?

Without a doubt, you can make use of the services of a traditional real estate agent and an online one at the same time, if it makes you more comfortable. Keep in mind that this might make you liable to pay fees to two different parties concerning the property you are trying to buy or sell. Also, be sure to verify that the agreement you are signing with a High Street agent or an online agent doesn’t explicitly exclude you from using the services of another agent.

Why should you choose an online agency over a local agent?

More than 90% of people begin their property search by looking online. This trend is because of the increased convenience and reduced cost that’s associated with using an online real estate agent. However, keep in mind that the quality of online real estate agencies differs, with some being more effective than others. The more experienced and professional the online agency, the better your property transaction experience will likely be. This is why it’s very important to carry out research before settling for an online estate agent.

Also, online agencies usually offer clients a dedicated and professional team of property experts that will fully support them, from start to finish.

Where will my property be advertised if using an online agency?

Where your property will be advertised is usually dependent on how the agency you opt for operates. This is why it is strongly recommended you research an agency before deciding to use its services. A typical top-quality, online agency will usually advertise your property on popular platforms such as Zoopla, Rightmove and Prime Location. By placing your property on these platforms, you will be exposed to more than a 100 million property searches per month if aiming to sell your home.

Will having a floor-plan help sell my home faster?

Yes. Having a floor-plan does help marketing your property go faster and smoother. This is because a floor-plan will give potential buyers a clearer view of the floor space and design of your property, before actually visiting it. According to statistics from Rightmove, people searching property listings with a floor-plan can spend up to 35% longer viewing that listing, compared to one that doesn’t have any. The longer you have people looking at your listing, the better chances there are of convincing them to seriously consider buying your property.

Do any hidden charges occur?

Once again, this is mainly dependent on the online agency you choose to work with and the sort of services they offer. Reputable companies can be trusted to have no hidden charges and will only charge a one-off fee. Certain add-on service options might require you to pay extra for them.

Why do online real estate agencies offer different fee options?

Not all agencies do, but those that offer various fee options do so in order to ensure clients can better tailor a package to best suit their needs. Rather than being stuck with a single package that is insufficient or unaffordable, the choice of numerous packages allows you to pick one that best suits your budget and offers services that will better satisfy your needs.

When presented with various options, what would count as the best value option is wholly dependent on what will work best for you in the long run.

Who takes photos of an advertised property and composes the description?

Depending on the agency, you can either do it yourself or let the experts that work alongside the agency do it on your behalf. Typically, the agency writes the descriptions and takes the best possible photographs to showcase a property. Once you get in touch with an online agency and confirm your willingness to use their services, a professional will be sent to the property to take photos, collect floor-plans and collect necessary information about the property, in order to create the relevant description. Many companies allow owners of a property to review and make changes to a property description.

There are other online agents who contract the photography and property description to third parties to cut costs.

Can I take photos of the property myself and send them to an online agent?

Some companies allow this, but those who adhere to the rules of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents might not. This is because some major property websites and the Ombudsman have certain laid down requirements and regulations that must be adhered to when creating property photographs. The online agency will guarantee adherence to these provisions by being personally responsible for the property photographs, in order to ensure accuracy and to guarantee that everything is in line with the Estate Agents Act 1979 and Consumer Protection Regulations.

Also, professional photos are required because they are essential in effectively marketing a property and improving its attraction. Many online agencies offer taking property photographs at no extra cost.

Will an online agency value my property for me?

Many online agencies come with property valuator calculators that can deliver an estimate of your property’s worth for free – and in little time. Other online agencies simply provide guides as to what a home might be worth, based on other estate agent websites and land registry figures. Keep in mind that these online figures are just estimates and they can vary from website to website. For a more accurate figure of your property’s worth, the services of a certified property valuator are strongly recommended.

Is a signed contract needed when working with an online agency?

This is dependent on the online agency you choose to work with, but many of them typically do not require their clients to sign any contracts.

Is there a catch?

Some might say the catch is that online agencies do not advertise properties in newspapers. This isn’t necessarily true, because properties that are advertised on Zoopla often get featured in printed property ads in major papers such as The Times, Evening Standard, The Independent, and so on.

Another potential catch is that you might have to do the viewings yourself. This isn’t necessarily true, but in cases where it is, it is not necessarily a bad thing, as potential buyers prefer to be shown around a property by someone who has in-depth knowledge – and who knows your property better than you?

For how long can a property be advertised with an online agent?

Typically, a reputable online agency will market your property for up to 12 months. After that time, you can choose to renew your service with the online agency for another 12 months or pursue a different line of action.

Does it matter if my home is on the market with another agent?

This depends on the contract you have already signed with the traditional real estate agent. This contract might indicate that such an agency has been given exclusive rights to market your property and that seeking the services of another agent (including an online one) can count as a breach of terms of said agreement. To avoid being liable to such a breach, you can attempt cancelling your contract with the traditional agent before trying for the services of an online one, or wait until the contract with the High Street agent expires.

Why do some online agencies charge up-front fees?

Such charges are requested because that’s how such agencies can guarantee effective delivery of their services. A typical traditional estate agent delivers services on a commission basis or a ‘No Sale, No Fee’ basis. This means they don’t earn until your property is sold – or not at all if property can’t be sold – which leads to them charging owners of successfully-sold properties more, to cover costs of unsuccessfully-marketed properties.

When online agents charge up-front fees, it’s to ensure the agent doesn’t have to bother overcharging a successful client just because they couldn’t sell another property. Also, keep in mind that when online agents offer the option of you not having to pay until the property is sold, you will in reality be paying more under such an agreement.

Is payment through online agency services secure?

Reputable online agencies provide secure payment methods that protect their clients, as well as their sensitive information. This is usually accomplished by using secure online credit and debit card payment platforms, such as SagePay and using SSL certificates to encrypt activities on the website whenever you sign up or log in.

Where do online agencies advertise properties?

The most common platforms include Zoopla, Rightmove and Prime Location. This is because these three are the most visited platforms used in the UK to search for properties. However, there are other platforms, both online and offline.

Do online agencies look after a sale once a client has accepted an offer?

Professional online agencies see a property sale all the way to the very end. This includes securing deposits, carrying out surveys, conveyancing and other aspects of the sale. A professional online agent will also ensure deadlines are adhered to and will keep you fully updated throughout every stage of the sale process.

Do all online agencies offer clients a dedicated estate agent?

Not all do, but it is fairly common practice. Therefore, verify that the agency actually does offer this service before signing up with them. When a dedicated agent is assigned to you, but is suddenly unable to serve you for whatever reason, the agency should be able to provide another replacement without delay. Aside from a dedicated agent, certain online agencies also offer Dedicated Account Managers and Sales Progression Services Officers.

Is there a minimum contract period with an online agency?

Some online agencies offer a ‘sole agency’ contract period that lasts for two months. Such a contract term implies that you won’t be able to list your property with another agent until the expiry of those two months. If you don’t want to be bound by such a term, then be sure to verify the terms of an agency’s contract before signing on. Also, this can be dependent on which agency package you choose. It is usually attached to the most basic package available.

Aside from the above, an agency will typically market your property non-stop for 12 months, unless of course the property is sold before the expiration of that time period.

What differentiates a High Street estate agent from an online one?

The main difference is usually the cost. Online agency services typically cost less than what a High Street agent would charge. With an online agency, you can get your property sold at a good price, while also incurring the least possible cost. The low costs attainable with an online agency are due to the fact their work occurs mostly online and they are able to avoid the expense of multiple branches, office cars and the like. This results in a lower overhead cost, which in turn leads to a lower charge being passed on to clients.

Also, unlike with a traditional agent, online agents let customers decide to what extent they’d like to control the sales process, as well as how much they would like to spend in order to sell their property. This level of control can make an online sale more transparent in comparison to using a traditional agent.

How can an offer be made on a property that a client is interested in?

There are various ways this can be accomplished. You can do it directly via the website by simply clicking ‘Make an Offer’ (or similar option). Your interest will immediately be relayed to the seller. Another option would be to call the seller or the seller’s agent on the number provided in the advert.

Why do online agencies offer a deferred payment option?

This payment option is to help clients who are unable to pay for the services of an online agency upfront. With the deferred payment, clients have the opportunity to sell their property first and then pay the online agency from the proceeds of the sale.

Keep in mind that not every agency offers this service and those that do usually offer it under special contract terms.

How can one pick the most ideal online estate agent for their needs?

How to pick an ideal agent is dependent on your needs and what type of agency is in the best position to satisfy those needs. Generally speaking, you will be in a better position to pick the ideal agent by taking into consideration certain factors, such as fees.

A lot of people opt for the services of online agencies because of how much lower the cost of their fees are in comparison to what’s demanded by traditional High Street agents. What is usually included in an online agent’s fee is rarely the same across the varying agents. However, the basic minimum covered in an online agency’s fee includes: Photography, Floor-plans, Advertising on Rightmove and Zoopla, and a ‘For Sale’ board, which will be erected for you.

There are also service add-ons which you can pay extra for, to personalise your service. It all depends on what specific services are most important to you and which agency is most capable of delivering it, at a price you are willing to pay.

What can be done concerning jargon that’s not understood in an online agency’s agreement?

If the agreement provided by the online agency is unclear to you because of certain, unfamiliar terms contained in the text, do not hesitate to seek clarification. You can seek this via the agency’s online web chat facilities or by placing a call directly to them. Examples of jargon include terms like ‘account management’ or ‘sales progression’.

How will I be informed about viewing requests?

When a potential buyer is prepared to view your property, you will likely be contacted by your online agent via phone or email. This communication will contain specifics such as date and time. Once you receive this, it is up to you to either reject or accept it, or propose a new time for the viewing.

Can an online agent be negotiated with concerning price?

Just because online agents offer their services at a price that’s cheaper than what High Street real estate agents are offering, doesn’t necessarily imply they are operating at a loss. In fact, the fixed prices of online agents tend to change over the course of a year. Thus, negotiating with an online agent to offer a lower fixed price isn’t out of the question.

By exploring this option, you can get a lower price on services from an online real estate agent, as well as a cheaper Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Another option is to research all the reputable online estate agents available and pick the one that offers the best value services at the lowest prices.

Should anything be done before accepting the terms of a real estate agent?

Before accepting an online estate agent’s agreement, speak to a reputable local estate agent who operates in the area your property is located. By doing this, you will be able to compare what an online estate agent has to offer against what traditional estate agents are offering in terms of  fees and services.

Also, get a property valuation from local agents, so you can compare their estimate to the valuation of an online agent; the opinion of local agents is usually more informed and up to date than that of an online agent.