Q. What if I am already with an estate agent?

A. You can still advertise with purplemove.com, depending on the type of contract you have with your estate agent. Basically if your contract is:

Multiple Agency – Yes, you may appoint as many agents as you like.

Sole Agency – Yes, you can advertise with purplemove.com. If you find a buyer yourself via private advertising (i.e. purplemove.com) then you do not have to pay the estate agent commission. We do however recommend that you inform your estate agent that you are also selling your property privately.

Sole selling right – Yes, but your estate agent will still need to be paid the commission. Under this agreement, the estate agent has the sole right to sell your property. In other words, you can still advertise with purplemove.com to increase the advertising exposure of your property, but upon selling the property you will still need to pay your estate agent their stated commission irrespective of where the buyer saw your property advertised.

Q. Isn't it a lot more hassle to sell online as opposed to selling through an estate agent?

A. No. By selling online the process is often much more direct as it cuts out the communication that goes through the middlemen (estate agents). Also, estate agents only communicate between sellers and buyers during office hours, but with purplemove.com's messaging system you can communicate with the buyers whenever is most convenient for you.

You will have to show the prospective buyer around the property yourself, but most of the time estate agents do not accompany the buyer anyway. You will also be able to communicate more directly with the buyer instead of the estate agent passing on messages between you.

Once an offer has been accepted, estate agents then simply exchange your solicitors details with the buyers. They do no more from this point onwards. It is your solicitor who organizes all the conveyancing i.e. arranging searches, preparing the deeds, arranging a completion date etc. Why pay an estate agent £000's in commission to advertise your property when you can sell via purplemove.com at a fraction of the price?

Q. Should I use the 'For Sale' sign I have purchased?

A. Categorically yes. This is still one of the most effective ways of attracting potential buyers to your property. (¹/₃rd of people purchased their property as a result of seeing the for sale sign outside.)

Q. Should I advertise my personal phone number on the 'For Sale' sign?

A. This is entirely up to you. Many sellers prefer to maintain their privacy and choose to communicate solely via purplemove.com's private online service. Other sellers prefer to use their own number on the sign as they feel this makes the process of selling even more direct. With purplemove.com, we give you the choice of either option.

Q. Why purplemove.com?

The speed to market is much quicker than with an estate agent, and the buying and selling process much more direct. You will also save £000's. The question you should really be asking is 'why should I sell through an estate agent and pay them £000's in commission?' Remember, once an offer has been accepted, the estate agent does not have any other involvement in the selling of your property. Your solicitor will arrange everything else.

Q. Is there a step-by-step guide to buying and selling?

A. Yes. Click on the following link to find a detailed guide on the process.
Buyers and Sellers Guide

Q. What are HIPs and do I need one?

A. HIP stands for Home Information Pack. It contains a variety of legal documents about the property being sold and includes an energy rating certificate. You are required to prepare a HIP before selling your property.

What does it contain?

It will consist of an energy rating certificate and other legal documents e.g.

* Energy efficiency report
* Terms of Sale
* Evidence of Title
* Standard searches
* Planning consents and agreements.
* Warranty and guarantees
* Seller's Property Information form

How do I get one and how much do they cost?

If you visit http://www.hipassociation.co.uk/members.aspx you will find a list of accredited suppliers. The cost will be in the region of £300 - £400. Your estate agent would charge this on top of their commission, or increase their commission to allow profit.

Q. How do I value my property?

A. Homeowner generally have an idea as to how much their property is worth. The land registry and many free sites will show you the selling price of similar-type properties in your street/area. Try www.houseprices.co.uk.