More Brits turning away from estate agents

Posted: 24 Oct 2007 16:11:19 GMT

A new survey has revealed that 92 per cent of Brits do not believe that estate agents are worth the cost of the fees they charge and many are selling their homes privately.

A new survey has revealed that 92 per cent of Brits do not believe that estate agents are worth the cost of the fees they charge and many are selling their homes privately.

New research from Gumtree.com found that 68 per cent of homeowners could not say what the fees charged by agents was for, while many agenst are perceived as being unprofessional or unhelpful.

A rise in the number of people using the internet to find property has also seen an increase in private sales, according to the report.

"While there'll always be a market for estate agents, the mood is changing in this uncertain market," said Sophy Silver from Gumtree.

"With a bit of know-how and confidence, Brits will find that selling your house can be as easy as changing a light bulb."

Other popular ways to get around having to pay costly fees to an estate agent to sell a home include advertising in local newspapers, putting signposts in gardens, auctions and word of mouth, the research shows.

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