Our Opinion on Online vs High Street Estate Agents in the New Forest
If you are thinking of selling your home then you may be weighing up the pros and cons of using a online vs high street estate agents in the New Forest. Whilst Online Agents certainly have a place, however in certain areas like the New Forest and the surrounding towns and villages, having an agent with local knowledge and expertise can be invaluable.
The New Forest is a fairly unique area to live, with a vast array of property types and people. Whether you are looking to sell your starter home, or a country house with acres of land you want to be assured that your home is being valued appropriately. It is the local knowledge of the High Street Agent combined with the information available online about property in your area, which will ensure you get the most informed valuation of your home.
Whilst some people are comfortable managing their affairs online and over the phone, many of us still appreciate the personal relationship that comes from dealing with a local business. Being able to talk face to face, pop into the office and have someone take care of all the viewings is a valuable service that you don’t get with an Online Agent.
Managing viewings on your behalf may be a service worth its weight in gold to some. Not only can they show prospective buyers around your home without you there, they are also best placed to emphasise the key selling points of your home and assess the buyers response. In contrast, selling through an Online Agent means organising and then conducting viewings yourself with no professional assistance or input.
The High Street Estate Agent will ensure that your property is marketed on the main online property portals e.g. Zoopla and Rightmove like the Online Agents, but they will also be marketing your property at a local level. For the New Forest this remains important. Those people that want to move within the area will be visiting the High Street Estate Agents, and those that want to move to the New Forest from outside will appreciate the expertise and knowledge the High Street Estate Agents can offer them about the area. Being seen in a High Street Estate Agent’s window continues to be beneficial for New Forest properties.
When it comes to getting an acceptable offer on the table, the High Street Estate Agent will use their experience and skills of selling property in your area to get the best possible price for your home. They will already know potential buyers for your property, and will be actively pushing them in your direction, and it will be their excellent knowledge of the local market, such as recent sales and future developments that will secure the best sale for you.
Online vs High Street Estate Agents in the New Forest – The Verdict?
There is no doubt that Online Agents can offer a cheaper service to sell your property, but ultimately they cannot provide the same level of service that a New Forest estate agent on the High Street can. Ultimately it is the local expertise and knowledge combined with a personal service, which means the High Street Estate Agent is probably best placed to sell your property in the New Forest.