Online Estate Agents vs Selling Privately: Which is Actually Cheaper?

The "Free" Catch

If you've looked into selling your home recently, you've probably seen the adverts. Online estate agents offering to sell your house for "free" or for a seemingly tiny flat fee. It sounds like the perfect middle ground between a high-street agent and selling entirely privately. But before you sign up, you need to understand how these business models actually make money. Because spoiler alert: it's not for free. ## The Hidden Costs of Online Estate Agents Let's look at the standard playbook for online agents: 1. The Mandatory Conveyancing Trap Many online agents offer a low upfront fee on the condition that you use their partner conveyancing firm. These firms are often "factory" conveyancers handling massive caseloads. Worse, their fees are often hundreds of pounds higher than a local, independent solicitor. 2. Viewing Packages If you want the online agent to conduct viewings, expect to pay £300 to £500 for a viewing package. And the person conducting the viewing often isn't an agent who knows your house; it's a local contractor who was handed a set of keys an hour ago. 3. Upfront Fees (Whether You Sell or Not) If you opt for a fixed-fee model, you usually pay around £999 to £1,500 upfront or agree to pay it at the end of ten months. If your house doesn't sell, or if you decide to take it off the market, you still owe them the money. ## Why Going Truly Private is Smarter Online agents rely on you feeling slightly nervous about doing it yourself. They act as a buffer. But in reality, they're providing a tech platform with a thin veneer of traditional agency service layered on top. When you use a true direct-sale platform like My Savvi Home, there are no hidden conveyancing traps, no viewing packages, and no high-pressure up-sells. You pay a simple advertising fee to reach millions of buyers on the major portals, and you stay in complete control.