Purple Bricks

PapaLazaru · 26 Feb 2016 at 11:17

I am just about to put my house on the market and having been told my house will likely sell within days, which is incredibly likely as they all do round here, I have been getting a little miffed with the fee's charges by traditional agents having been quoted minimum charges of 1.25%, which will be several thousand pounds for a few days work.

So on Wednesday I logged onto Purple Bricks who charge £798 inc vat for a sale. Made an online appointment for a valuation, got a confirmation email and the local agent called me on Thursday morning for a chat about what our plans are. He is coming round in an hour and having liked what they offer, am likely to use them and save several thousand pounds.

They sold a house up my road last week after an open day and received 14 offers, so I cannot see what value a traditional agent can offer me.

This thread is to talk about my experience as the sale progresses and whether they can offer everything a traditional agent can at a fraction of the cost. Also interested if anyone else has used them and what their experience has been? Certainly well rated on TrustPilot - https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/purplebricks.com

Will update later as this will be my third valuation so interested on what they say.

PapaLazaru · 26 Feb 2016 at 16:05

So on top of the initial fee, they charge an additional £132 inc vat to do the viewings, but this covers as many as you need to sell the house.

They are all self-employed so it is a franchise of sorts. The agent who came round has been in the game for 25 years so is no blagger.

Likely to instruct them this weekend with a view for an open day next Saturday with half hour slots. I will be doing the tour, which is my preference anyway as a lot of work has gone into the house and I do not want the small details forgotten about.

It is quite cool in that when a viewing has finished, I click a button on the webpage and it emails the viewer who gives the house marks out of five for certain things and is invited to make an offer. I get to see it immediately and anyone else who has viewed the house also gets an email that an offer has been made, though only I see how much it is. Drives up interest a little like Ebay.

House will be going up for offers over a certain amount so it will cut out anyone going under.

PapaLazaru · 28 Feb 2016 at 19:54

Instructed them online last night. Email received that sales board is on the way. Agent came round for a chat and took photos earlier. Emailed me the advert to vet (you can change what you want basically, but his was perfect). Vetted that advert and gone live straight away on Purple Bricks, Rightmove and all the others.

I have set availability next Saturday with 14 half hour slots. :eek:

I will be doing the tours and have been advised that I will get offers.

They also told me that I will get direct messages though their website from people saying they are interested but cannot make the open day. This is apparently a common issue as demand is so high they will want to try and persuade me to let them see it before the open day.

Been advised to politely refuse and tell them that if it does not sell on the day, then I will hold another for them. They will then always come on the first open day.

I'm excited!

PapaLazaru · 29 Feb 2016 at 14:52

Ad went live last night. 4 confirmed bookings already for my open day and someone who won't take a no for wanting to see the house earlier.

PapaLazaru · 22 Mar 2016 at 21:07

Late update but got 10 appointments booked on that Saturday, got 5 offers and took two at £10k over asking. Took the offer from a single guy over a family, none of who had seen the house apart from the mother.

So sold in 4 days (had a couple of second viewing in the days afterwards).

So my experience has no doubt been made easier by the market in Reading but being told by all the traditional agents, who's cheapest quote was 1.4% IF we got £10k or more over asking (sliding scale), just saved me just shy of £4.5k in fees.

Easy peasy.

PapaLazaru · 22 Mar 2016 at 22:01

Upfront, or you can defer it but use their conveyancer who are Premier Property lawyers who I know are decent.

PapaLazaru · 23 Mar 2016 at 21:46

Skillmister said:
Premier Property Lawyers are **** and I would not touch them with someone else's.

Every matter I've ever had with them acting on the other side has gone one for weeks if not months longer than necessary.

I used to work for ING Direct who were completely customer service obsessed and we used them. Never saw an issue personally and they have been great for me so far. They have a team just for Purple Bricks.

PapaLazaru · 23 Mar 2016 at 21:51

SPG said:
Is it ?

Your still paying them, to take crap pictures etc.

You are paying them to take the pictures, write the advert, put it up on all the websites, including their own, being able to use their online portal for bookings, feedback and offers and they will also negotiate for you, which is what we opted for in the end. Our agent is very experienced and as they are self-employed, with a decent commission structure, he has worked very well for us.

I have emailed him at half nine at night and he has responded within minutes. They have sold 4 houses down our road this year already and one of my neighbours has since been round to get the low down and will be selling though them as well.

I did the viewings which I prefer and they have done more than a normal agent would have done. Last time I moved I had to sack one off for a total failure to do their job. Have not felt that at all with PB.