There’s no question about it, buyers visit Rightmove and Zoopla/OnTheMarket because they provide easily-searched access to properties currently available for sale. Or do they?

Certainly property portals are efficient and estate agents have embraced them for many years as being an important addition to their marketing toolbox. On the surface, people no longer apparently need to register with an estate agent when looking for a property. However, those buyers who do register directly, tend to find they are offered properties before they appear on the portals.

We find that an increasing proportion of property sellers engage us to market their home using more discrete marketing methods than overt portal or other advertising exposure. There are several reasons for this – maybe they want to test the market or they have not yet announced the move to their friends and family. Perhaps they simply don’t want to risk overexposing their property and want to keep it exclusive, available only to pre-qualified buyers that their estate agent has personally vetted.

As a buyer, by registering directly with an estate agent you therefore put yourself at an advantage in terms of access to unexpected properties that you might otherwise have missed. Additionally, because so many buyers register through the portals, by registering directly with agent you are demonstrating your commitment to buying in a specific area and you are more likely to be regarded as a viable and legitimate purchaser. This puts you in pole position to hear about opportunities to view properties as soon as they become available, often ahead of other “run-of-the-mill” buyers.

Sometimes it’s the counterintuitive approach that pays off! So if you’re thinking of buying, why not register directly with us at www.newman.uk.com and see how it feels finally to enjoy “club membership” status! You might be pleasantly surprised!<