Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions we at Help2move have encountered.
If you do not see an answer to any questions that you may have about property selling then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why is the Internet so important when selling your home?
Selling your property on the internet means that your property will have nationwide exposure 24/7. Research has shown that over 79% of home movers use the internet to search for a property.
Newspaper advertising only attracts buyers from the local area and yet a third of home movers are relocating from a different area.
What if potential buyers do not have regular access to the internet?
They can contact Help2move on our phone number that is advertised locally in the newspaper, in phone directories, in NAEA publications and on our sign boards. Fax is also available.
Brochures will be posted out to buyers in the traditional way. Once they have made contact they can also receive property details via Text Messages.
What is an Internet Property Portal?
A property portal is a website which, like a newspaper homes supplement, advertises properties for sale. Help2move use some of the UK’s largest property portals including: Rightmove.co.uk, Propertyfinder.com, Primelocation.com, Fish4homes and Vebra. The larger property portals also link to other well-known websites such as Yahoo, MSN, Channel 4 and Sky.
We also advertise on the local portals such as Mailhomes.co.uk.
This form of advertising guarantees that your property will be seen from wherever in the UK your buyer may live.
What is the National Association of Estate Agents? (NAEA)
The National Association of Estate Agents is the largest professional estate agency organisation in the UK representing nearly 10,000 members. The NAEA is committed to raising professional standards across all aspects of the property market for the benefit of member agents and ultimately the home moving public.
NAEA Members offer the following:
- NAEA members have the knowledge and experience to achieve the best deal for you.
- Professional integrity: all NAEA members operate to a professional Code of Practice and Rules of Conduct.
- Providing Added Value through the NAEA network.
Moving home is too important to take risks so make sure you have the reassurance of working with a Professional Estate Agent.
Remember the most important question you can ask of your estate agent is:
Are you a member of the National Association of Estate Agents if not, why not?
What is the Ombudsman for Estate Agents? (OEA)
The Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) Scheme provides an independent service for dealing with disputes between member agencies and customers who are buying and selling residential property in the UK.
Why use an estate agent who belongs to the OEA Scheme?
OEA scheme members agree to abide by the OEA Code of Practice. This sets out a framework within which members must operate and sets the standards of service they should provide.
The code is mandatory and rigorously enforced. Compliance levels and consumer satisfaction are closely monitored.
If things go wrong and you have a dispute with a member agency you can refer your complaint to the Ombudsman for resolution. The Ombudsman is completely independent of the member agencies and will provide a free, fair and speedy review of complaints falling within his terms of reference.
Member agencies agree to co-operate with the Ombudsman and to abide by any decisions that the Ombudsman comes to.
How to tell if your estate agent is a member?
Although not mandatory, any estate agency in the UK can apply to join the OEA scheme. Member agencies must meet certain criteria as laid down by the OEA Board.
To tell if your agent is a member, look for the OEA logo on the agent's window, websites, boards or stationery. If you are still not sure, you can contact the Ombudsman's Office who will tell you.
What is the Office of Fair Trading Approved Code Scheme? (OFT)
The Office of Fair Trading is responsible for making markets work well for consumers. They achieve this by promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK, while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive.
The OFT's activities in pursuit of this goal involve:
- Enforcement of competition and consumer protection rules.
- Market Studies into how markets are working.
- Communication in order to explain and improve awareness and understanding.
Their job is to make sure that consumers have as much choice as possible across all the different sectors of the marketplace. When consumers have choice they have genuine and enduring power.
As an independent professional organisation the OFT plays a leading role in promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive. The tools to carry out this work are the powers granted to the OFT under consumer and competition legislation.
How soon will my property appear on the internet after I have made an agreement with Help2move?
Typically all properties will be available on the internet within 72 hours.
How will potential buyers find my property?
Help2move's properties will be available on our easy to navigate website as well as being automatically featured on several of the UK's major property portals including Rightmove, Property Finder, Prime Location, Mail Homes, Fish4homes, Vebra and NAEA.
Help2move will also be advertised locally through newspaper adverts, phone directories and direct mail.
What is a Sole Agency Agreement and a Multiple Agency Agreement?
A sole agency agreement is when a seller of a property agrees to appoint only one estate agent to sell their home. The agreement usually has an expiry date, typically 8-12 weeks.
A multiple agency agreement is when the seller appoints as many estate agents as they wish to sell their property. The agent who sells the property gets the commission.
What are HIP's?
The Home Information Pack has been introduced by the government. Each property seller (currently 3 and 4 bedroom property owners) will have to pay approximately £350+VAT for a pack that details the properties history and includes an energy performance certificate, searches and the title deeds. Please ring us for more information, 01482 888220.