Government To Free Up Property Websites – Market Your Own Property

In new Government proposals, restrictions on home sellers to advertise on property websites will be lifted

Maidenhead, Berkshire (I-Newswire) October 31, 2012 - Maidenhead, Berkshire In new Government proposals, restrictions on home sellers to advertise on property websites will be lifted. Homeowners will no longer have to hand over thousands of pounds to estate agents to market their property, instead allowing them to sell their homes themselves.

Estate Agents currently have a stranglehold on property sales, and fees could be driven down from the typical 2.5% of the property value.

The Department for Business, Innovations and Skills (BIS) has put forward proposals to the Estate Agents Act enabling web-based 'intermediaries' or property websites such as Findaproperty, Rightmove and Zoopla to allow sellers to advertise their home online.

Gill Alton runs Alton Property Partners, offering a residential investment property service to help you build a portfolio for a secure financial future. Alton Property Partners provides a comprehensive and personal Property Portfolio Building Service for buy to let investment in the UK. She says:

"As with everywhere in life the Internet is having a huge impact on the way we work. The vast majority of people now search for their properties online and competition in any area is always healthily.

"The balance between 'cost' and 'service' has to be weighed up by each individual and I agree with the Sarah Beeny comment that good agents add real value.

"As a Seller yes, you have to pay Estate Agents Fees and using an intermediary site would remove these costs, however let us not forget that the Estate Agent can be a very valuable member or your team working for you the seller and getting you the best value for your property and provide you with the Regulative protection you may require.

"If, as a Seller, you are not used to being involved in negotiation and in fact find the whole concept of showing people around your house and having to discuss money and values directly with a Purchaser uncomfortable (and there are plenty of people who this would be true for) then having an Agent who forms a barrier between yourself and the purchaser can be invaluable. They give you the thinking time you require, and provide you with a trained salesperson working on your behalf. So to me the crux of the issue is really working with a good Estate Agent who earns their fees.

"To me there are no right and wrong answers here, it's simply a case of identifying which the solution best fits how you like to work and understanding the benefits of each, so you can make an informed decision."

Notes to Editors

Gill Alton is the founder of Alton Property Partners, which provides a comprehensive and personal Property Portfolio Building Service for buy to let investment in the UK. To find out how property could be the answer to your pension worries, click here( http://altonpropertypartners.co.uk/pension-worries-the-facts-and-a-solution ). Alton Property Partners manage the entire investment process, from sourcing property at a discounted value, co-ordinating the Mortgage, arranging the refurbishment, right through to ensuring it is ready for the rental market

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