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.
Most "free" online agents make their money by up-selling you services you could easily source yourself for much less, or by forcing you to use their expensive partner conveyancers and mortgage brokers.
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.
The True Cost: Online Agent vs Direct Sale
| Cost Element | Typical Online Agent | Selling Direct (My Savvi Home) |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | £0 to £1,499 (often upfront) | Small, flat monthly advertising fee |
| Conveyancing | Forced to use their expensive partner | You choose your own local solicitor |
| Viewings | £300+ extra if you want help | You do it yourself for free |
| Direct Communication | Messages go through an app/call centre | Instant, direct messaging with buyers |
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.
If you're already comfortable using an app to manage viewings and offers (which is what online agents require), you're comfortable enough to sell privately. Skip the middleman's hidden fees entirely.