There’s no question about it, buyers visit property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket because they provide easily-searched access to tons of properties currently available for sale. Or do they?
Still for sale?
These property portals are efficient for those searching for somewhere to buy and estate agents have embraced them for many years as being an important addition to their marketing toolbox. It means that people apparently no longer need to register with an estate agent when looking for a property. However, those buyers who do register directly, tend to find they are offered properties before they appear on these portals. So by the time you’ve spotted your dream home online it could already be off the market before you’ve even had a chance to view it.
Looking for the right buyers
We find that an increasing number of property sellers engage us to market their home using more discrete methods than overt portal or other advertising exposure. There are several reasons for this – maybe they want to test the market or they’ve not yet announced the move to their friends and family. Perhaps they simply don’t want to risk overexposing their property and want to keep it exclusive, available only to pre-qualified buyers that their estate agent has personally vetted.
The benefits of registering directly with an estate agent:
- Access to unexpected properties that you might otherwise have missed
- You show your commitment to buying in a specific area and are more likely to be regarded as a viable and legitimate purchaser
- Put in pole position to hear about opportunities to view properties as soon as they become available
Sometimes it’s the counterintuitive approach that pays off!
So, if you’re thinking of buying, simply:
- Register for Property Alerts here
- Drop me an email at john@tapestates.com or
- Call me on 01304 251425
You might be pleasantly surprised!
