Home sellers can now sell their house for free through Purplebricks, following a shake-up of its pricing model.
Until now customers using the estate agency would pay a flat £999 fee for a standard package and then up to £1,699 for a more advanced offering.
However, from today, Purplebricks customers who are willing to upload their own photographs and conduct their own viewings can market their home on the basic package for free.
There are options for sellers to boost their sale from £149 by adding professional photos, floorplans and a 360-degree tour. They can also opt for the ‘full house’ service from £299 with the estate agency taking over the whole process.
It comes just six months after Purplebricks was acquired by the Strike agency. The new pricing structure marks its independence from the Strike name as it begins operation again as Purplebricks.
As well as new pricing it will offer customers access to an account manager who will work alongside a mortgage expert and conveyancers.
The service also includes home valuation, negotiation, listing on a major portal, and an app that lets them control their listing and viewings. Customers can choose to pay for additional services as and when they see fit.
Sam Mitchell, CEO, Purplebricks, said: “Customers are now able to sell their home for free, with no hidden costs. They get everything they need to sell for free, with optional extras along the way, as well as access to Purplebricks’ expertise throughout.
“This is an important day for Purplebricks as a business. After a brutally tough few years, the housing market is showing signs of life as we move into 2024. With viewings increasing and banks offering more competitive rates, we are confident our new model will drive us towards significant market growth.”
How to choose the right estate agent
If you are considering selling your home, it’s a good idea to compare prices and services on offer from several estate agents.
It is recommended you obtain valuations from at least three separate estate agents.
It may be tempting to choose the one with the highest valuation, but you should also consider other factors including their pricing structure and how they propose to market your property.
Make sure to ask whether they will be using the main property websites – Rightmove and Zoopla – to market your home. Will they provide professional photos and online tours as well as a floorplan?
It’s also a good idea to find out whether they will conduct the viewings, and how they may do this and how many potential buyers they have on their books.
Get recommendations from friends and family and do your research – go online and see how well they are marketing other people’s properties. You can also check out Google or other online reviews.
