Compare Estate Agents & Quick Property Sale Offers the Smart Way

LayarTradeVision - iphone app to find best local tradesmen

2011-03-06T12:33:00.007Z

LayarTradeVision - a new iphone app transforming the way builders, plumbers and double glazing professionals advertise their work.

With the lack of movement in the property industry more and more owners are opting for home improvements over moving house. However second only to selling a property, comes the hassle of trying to find a reputable tradesman to undertake the project and at a decent price.

But looking for a builder or plumber is a daunting process, especially if you don't have any local recommendations from friends or relatives. These days the next best way to find one has been to use web based referrals sites that can provide you multiple quotes from tradesman on their books. While only some of these quote referral sites have a good selection of local tradesman covering your area there's still the major issue of actually how good they are and what is the quality of their work.

Layar Trade Vision, a new and free iPhone service launched today intends to alleviate these problems by providing a user’s with unique way to seek out the best local and busy tradesman which is often a sure sign of reputability.

This location-based app uses augmented reality technology to overlay digital information over a live camera view, in this case floating icons representing electricians, builders, plumbers, roofers. It's part of the growing wave of augmented reality apps using a mobile phone’s camera, compass and GPS data to identify the user’s location field of view, retrieve data based on those geographical coordinates to present data in a much more intuitive and mobile fashion.

After downloading the free app at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/layar-trade-vision/id4138 ... users activate their camera to be presented with icons representing the different types of work recently undertaken by local tradesman all around them. If you are looking for a builder for a new driveway then just filter your search from a list of trades and the camera view will automatically update to show where and how many tradesman have completed jobs in your area. Decide you want to progress and obtain a quote? Then just tap the screen to access the providers email, web and phone numbers and arrange instantly.

The service is growing daily with 1000's of trade listings already covering the U.K. and expanding with new members uploading their digital portfolio. Layar Trade Vision is working to enhance the service even further by incorporating any organisations the tradesman belong to such as the National Federation of Builders or the Chartered Institute of Building so that users can instantly gain greater confidence in the tradesman being listed.

Companies can join Layar Trade Vision by visiting http://www.layartradevision.com for registration details. The straightforward service allows time poor tradesman to simply upload their contact details and portfolio of references and be listed within 48 hours. All subsequent contacts for quotes are routed instantly leaving tradesman to concentrate on their work rather than online quote systems.

Layar Augmented Reality store now available on iPhone

2010-05-26T22:00:00.000+01:00

Today iPhone users can buy paid layers with the latest release of the Layar Reality Browser. Download now, its available from the Apple App store. The iPhone release follows the release for Android of less then 4 weeks ago.

The Augmented Reality content store with its paid layers offers publishers a way to monetize their content and offers users more variety and quality in layers available.

The first payment provider is Paypal. The store is setup to support payments to residents of United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. More countries, currencies, payment methods and providers will be added regularly.

Sold Price App Launches

2010-05-03T21:43:00.006+01:00

‘Sold House Price Data 2010′ – Check the latest UK residential Sold Price information as recorded by the Land Registry while on the move using the Layar Augmented Reality Browser.

Sold House Price Data 2010 places a huge amount of residential property sales data on your iphone or Android mobile. Instantly retrieve the latest sold prices within your immediate location all via your camera view.

Note: Positional accuracy of data outdoors is dependant on your GPS enabled phone with results accurate up to approx. 10 meters in a good reception area.

Features:

Instantly retrieve sold prices - using in your current location the GPS functionality will allow you to see what properties have been sold recently to give you an idea of current valuations.

Filter Your Search Results - Refine your results further using filters to match your exact criteria, based on a wider search radius up to 5km, property types including Detached, Semi-Detached, Terraced, Flats or even set minimum and maximum property values.

Reality - Map - List Views - Use Live Reality view to locate data based on actual camera view, use alternate Google Map view to obtain 'Take-Me-There' directions or List views for multiple overall comparison of data.

Useability - Change the orientation of the Reality view from portrait to landscape, to encompass more detailed sold price data within the viewable screen area.

Coming during 2010:

The Latest Property for Sale

Add Area to Watch List

Average Sales Data

Average Rental Data

Who is this app for?

Property Professionals - for immediate and recent sales data on the move.

Owner Sellers & Buyers - instant information on determining current valuations

What is Layar?
The Layar Reality Browser shows what is around you by displaying real time digital information on top of the real world as seen through the camera of your mobile phone. This technology is called Augmented Reality. We augment the real world as seen through your mobile phone, based on your location.

How does Layar’s Augmented Reality work?
The idea is simple: Layar works by using a combination of the mobile phone’s camera, compass and GPS data to identify the user’s location and field of view, retrieve data based on those geographical coordinates, and overlay that data over the camera view.

Property Prices on the move?

2009-11-10T20:29:00.003Z

A new quick property prices mobile iphone application has been launched by Mouseprices this week which allows the user to browse house price information on the move. Priced at £2.99 this is seemingly targeted at estate agents on the move the app provides geo tagged historical data using either post code entry or automatically via the iphones GPS receiver. Time will tell if the public choose to pay to check out local house price changes.

Marketing partnership with Tepilo.com

2009-07-29T22:52:00.008+01:00

Link marketing partnership with Tepilo.com

After just days of using social media networking site Twitter.com to contact the founders of Tepilo.com, Sarah Beenys new website for property sellers, we are happy to announce our latest marketing partnership.

Under the patrnership, our estate agency & quick property sales comparison services will be promoted under their Buying & Selling Advice section.

In return, all estate agent searches will be sponsored by Tepilo.com.

With new iphone & web tools in the pipeline we hope to develop this and other partnerships further to help empower property buyers and sellers to maximise the process to their benefit.

How to Sell Property Quickly

2009-07-14T22:41:00.003+01:00

Looking to Sell Property Quickly without an estate agent? Which Quick Property Sale Company will give you the best BMV offer?

With the many Quick Property Sales companies representing 1000's of Buy-To-Let Investors, let the best offers find you with our free no-obligation quote service.

EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com has partnered with companies representing 1000's of active property investors to get your property in front of these professional investors and active buyers every day. Highly cash rich companies and individuals are looking to increase their portfolio around the UK and now use our service to source quick sale property deals.

To request a free quote, use our comparison service today.

Quick Property Sale & Rent Back Market to be Regulated

2009-06-10T22:00:00.004+01:00

Quick Property Sale & Rent Back to be Regulated

The Government has this month published a summary of responses to its consultation of the quick property sale and rent back market, which closed in May 2009. The FSA will publish the details of its regulatory regime, which will take effect on 1 July 2009 subject to Parliamentary approval.

The Government’s consultation followed an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) market study published at the end of last year, which looked at the impacts of the growing quick property sale and rent back market. The OFT report identified a number of risks to homeowners entering into these arrangements and made three recommendations to Government, including compulsory regulation, increasing consumer awareness and improving information about housing benefits.

The proposed legislation includes a two-stage approach to regulation, in order to ensure consumers are protected as quickly as possible in the current market environment.

The FSA will put in place its full regulatory regime in the second quarter of 2010, following consultation and the publication of its final rules.

EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com will incorporate the findings and work to ensure that only regulated companies are listed.

Regulating Sale and Rent Back
3 June, 2009
MortgageIntroducer - Daily News

What is Tepilo?

2009-06-01T19:43:00.002+01:00

Taken from Killer Startups website, more information can be found on this new property website, brainchild of Sarah Beeny...

Tepilo.com

This is an online resource that was launched in the summer of 2009. If you want to get all the benefits of a responsible and professional company that will gives you highly professional services, this is the right site for you to take a look at.

Tepilo is a totally novel service that was created, designed and developed by Sarah Beeny, in order to give users the possibility to get have a new experience when it comes to selling their homes.

In case you want to change the way you think about buying and selling your home for quick property sales, this is the site for you to visit. This exclusive online resource provides you with a large amount of innovative new tools to help you buy or sell and renovate a property online.

This is made possible through a comprehensive and free way to get results without going through an estate agent, which can bear considerable costs. Properties are extensively viewable, and renovation tips are given from a celebrity property expert.

In case you are interested in this service take a look at the site at Tepilo.com

Will be interesting to see what the service can offer without need of estate agency although it sounds like you may need to become an estate agent yourself to use the tools!

Look forward to the summer.

Quick Property Sale Comparison Service Press Release

2009-04-19T18:55:00.008+01:00

EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com is fast becoming the recognised market leader and generating hundreds of comparison quotes each month on behalf of property sellers nationwide. The site has now expanded its unique estate agents fees service to include comparisons of Below Market Value (BMV) offers provided by quick property sales companies.

In much the same way the main estate agency comparison service works, sellers send their property & contact details to a panel of Quick Property Sales purchase companies operating nationwide via a single form. Panel members are alerted and have the option to offer the seller their best Below Market Value (BMV) offer enabling the seller to select the best one that suits their particular needs. In effect seller would be auctioning their property to the highest bidder to realise a higher BMV rate for their property when sold.

Amanda Thorne, Business Development
'In the current economic climate one of the many casualties is slow house sales and lenders not having the appetite to remortgage all properties. Many homeowners and property landlords are left searching for alternative ways to sell property quickly and efficiently.

There are many different reasons why they may need to sell properties fast. It could be to avoid repossession, an impending bankruptcy, breaking a chain of house sellers, probate properties, divorce settlement, even looking for a sale and rent back solution or an equity release solution.

There is no other online resource available for comparing these offers and many sellers often go with the quickest solution or the first company they approach; with this not always being the best offer they could receive.

Originally a few companies had the market cornered and would offer 70% BMV for a property. Using our unique and free service they could actually find a better offer of around 90% Below Market Value (BMV) if they are prepared to shop around.'

Although there is no-obligation using the site, as with any property transaction of this type, sellers are advised to seek independent financial legal advice. Any quotes generated via the site are subject to written agreement between all parties.

Recent statistics indicate that there are increasingly more debt-saddled homeowners and landlords in the UK. The amount of people seeking to sell their homes and properties through these companies has risen dramatically in the last year. Being able to secure the best deal to limit any losses is now more important than ever.

Buy to Let investors who would have normally used estate agents to find suitable properties are turning to quick property sale companies seeking below market value bargains. By avoiding estate agents altogether they can negotiate a better deal for themselves and the seller too.

With the addition of the Quick Property Sale comparison service, EstateAgencyFeesDirect now provides property sellers with the only online resource for comparing and maximising their property sale services.

Note to Editors:

Since launch in late March EstateAgencyFeesDirect have added many of the top professional property sale companies operating in UK aiming to provide sellers with the best guaranteed cash offer for their home or property.

With close affiliations with other property buying and selling services such as obtaining & comparing Home Information Pack costs, Chartered Surveyors, Domestic Removals and International Removal firms EstateAgencyFeesDirect now provides home buyers and sellers options for comparing all the different property buying and selling services available to maximise the properties sale.

Tips for Choosing an Estate Agent for that Quick Property Sale

2009-04-09T22:58:00.003+01:00

Most of us find selling their property tedious and difficult especially if it is the first time they go through this experience.

Some Estate Agents can provide all the additional services you need in order to make it easier for you, but at a cost.

Choosing the best Estate Agent can prove to be very tricky and time consuming. Thanks to EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com this selection process can take less time and you will be able to make a decision based on comparing what each has to offer and compare quotes.

There are several factors to be considered when choosing the correct estate agent to handle the sale of your property. Here are some of the most important for you to consider.

Carefully read the terms and conditions of the contract before signing it. Yes, you must read the small print and if you are not one hundred per cent sure that the terms are suitable for you, then seek a second opinion.

Avoid committing yourself with an agency for a long period of time. This will give you freedom to change agency if you are not convinced they are marketing your property successfuly within a reasonable period of time.

If you want to have some kind of guarantee that the estate agency is held accountable, then you should look for estates agents that belong to the OEA (Ombudsman for Estates Agents). This will give you peace of mind if you need to complain and sought compensation if things don’t work out as they should.

Using the services of EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com you can not only compare estate agents you can obtain quotes from professional quick property sale companies too.

The Conveyancing Process: What exactly is Conveyancing?

2009-04-04T23:04:00.000+01:00

Conveyancing can be described as the legal process by which the ownership of property changes hands from the seller to the buyer. The process of conveyancing can be complex.

As such, the process requires the professional services of either a conveying solicitor or a certified conveyer.

Licensed conveyancers in the UK and Wales are governed by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, CLC. UK and Wales solicitors on the other hand are governed by the Law Society, and are duty bound by a code of practice.

The Law Society website is quite resourceful in helping property buyers and property sellers contact conveyancing solicitors in their localities. The website also offers insights into how buyers and sellers can use soliciting services and remedial steps in the case of disputes.

The first step in the conveyancing process involves the writing of a draft contract. This contract is then received and negotiations between seller and buyer can begin. A number of enquiries are then made prior to the acknowledgment of the mortgage offer. A date of sale is set and it represents the day on which the buyer will legally own the property.

Upon signing of the contract, the buyer remits a deposit. The deposit is usually set at 10% of the property purchase value. At this point, the buyer is compelled to go through with the deal or risk forfeiting the deposit. This allows the final accounts of the transaction to be prepared and the buyer then appends his/her signature on the mortgage deed. Once this is done, the buyer receives the house keys and the title certificates. The transfer is then settled at the Land Registry subject to the payment of Stamp duty.

You can compare conveyance quotes services at EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com and ensure you'r getting the best value from a nationwide panel.

Sale and Rent Back Article

2009-04-04T19:33:00.001+01:00

To sell property fast when faced with a repossession order calls for a specialist company. Trade Buyers of property as they are known can normally complete a house purchase in 2-5 days....read article

Divorce and Quick House Sale Article

2009-04-03T15:36:00.000+01:00

Divorce and moving house – two of the most stressful situations people experience in their lives. By using a house buying company, you can sell your house quickly, with the minimum of fuss, and help reduce at least some of the stress involved in getting divorced.read article

Home Repossession and Home Buying Article

2009-04-01T10:01:00.000+01:00

If you find that you've fallen behind in your mortgage payments, your lender will want to know how you are going to clear your mortgage arrears. read article

Quick Home Sale - Which company should you use?

2009-03-21T09:55:00.003Z

If you looking to sell your home fast without using an estate agent which Home Purchase Company will give you the best cash offer? With Below Market Values rates ranging from 60% to 95% and some with up front valuation fees you could easily make the wrong choice.

With the many Professional Home Purchase Companies in the market, let the best offers find you with our no-obligation request quote service.

If you are contemplating using a Professional Home Purchase Company for a quick property sale then compare the offers first to ensure you are getting the best BMV rate.

Some providers may have additional up front valuation fees so you should always compare the market prior to making a decision using the only Home Purchase Offers comparison site.

Professional Home Purchase Companies look at all types of properties so use our service to obtain free valuation offers from the UK's leading providers.

To Request a FREE No-Obligation Quote from Home Purchase Companies visit Estate Agency Fees Direct Quick Home Sales

The UK's first Open Agency Listings service.

2009-03-12T22:34:00.003Z

Designed to Sell Your House Faster....

The Open Agency Listings (Beta) service is an excellent way to use the marketing force of 1000's of estate agents nationwide to sell your property and bring that sale closer to home - WITH NO ADDITIONAL COSTS.

Instead of selling your property through 2 or 3 agents on Mutiple Agency basis, sell your property through 1000's of agents nationwide with no additional costs.

The Open Agency Listings service is an excellent way to use the marketing force of 1000's of Estate Agents nationwide to sell your property based on a Multiple Agency sales fee set by you.

The Open Agency Listings service is a database of properties coming to market which is made accessible to participating Estate Agents around the country.

Estate Agents can access your property details and upon completion of required HIPS they can begin to market your property to their buyers.

Being placed in the Open Agency Listings service expands the home seller's sales force by exposing the property to a larger pool of Estate Agents and professional Property Buyer agencies nationwide thus creating unrivalled exposure for the property.

The Seller enters into a traditional Multiple Agency agreement to sell their property with more than one agency and only pays a commission to the agency which finds a buyer. Although traditionally high, your preferred Multiple Agency sales fee can still be set by you at time of registration.

If a participating Estate Agent has a buyer for your property they can contact you and provide details on the offer upon which you both can then formally agree the sales fee if acceptable.

The benefit of this system is that Sellers have potentially 1000's of estate agents & professional Property Buyers being able to market your property around the country resulting in a quicker sale.

Estate Agents - If you would like to access this feature, please contact us.

Home buying and selling market study

2009-02-01T14:48:00.000Z

In response to the Office of Fair Trading's announcement that they are seeking industry views ahead of home buying and selling market study, we are happy to say that they are looking at competition on price and quality between service providers. As EstateAgencyFeesDirect already addresses the point on competition and transparency on services and estate agent fees, we have stated our viewpoint to the OFT whom are not able to actually endorse our service but do recognise the value of comparing estate agents as you would other financial industries and will include in their study. We look forward to their results!

Lifeline for Homeowners Struggling with Property Slump

2009-01-26T13:56:00.001Z

Lifeline for Homeowners Struggling with Property Slump

EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com enables vendors to save money on sale fees and related services

Following a test launch in April 2008, EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com has already helped hundreds of house sellers to compare local estate agents quickly and conveniently. The start of a major marketing campaign, however, will see the website provide invaluable assistance to the many vendors across the UK who are struggling to sell their houses in these difficult times.

Amanda Thorne of EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com comments: "In the current property market, homeowners are looking at the costs associated with selling and buying, as well as wanting the best possible service. Now, thanks to our free and easy-to-use website, they can save time and hassle finding local estate agents and comparing their offerings."

The site also allows sellers to request quotes for various additional services increasingly being supplied by estate agents. These include the production of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and conveyancing services.

A key marketing initiative for the site will be an exclusive partnership with NetHousePrices.com, the UK's leading free and instant house price information site. The site allows homeowners to find actual sale prices for local properties as well as properties for sale, rent and auction. It will link directly to EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com.

Ends

Andrews and Partners list on Estate Agency Fees Direct

2009-01-25T10:43:00.000Z

Andrews and Partners list on Estate Agency Fees Direct

Estate Agency chain Andrews and Partners have recently listed all 48 branches on EstateAgencyFeesDirect. As members of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents Scheme and
the National Association of Estate Agents, they have recognised the need to be listed on our estate agency comparison site and provide greater exposure to their services including a How Much is My Property Worth? tool

With their unique product 'TrackMySale' sale is provided exclusively to clients selling their property through Andrews. Being able to view property feedback, details on offers and online marketing reports online, they are keeoing sellers fully informed.

Having already being sent vendor leads, we formally welcome Andrews and Partners and are happy that they have chosen to extend their online marketing with us.

PropertyPortalWatch article on EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com

2009-01-23T22:01:00.005Z

Emma Sorensen of Property Portal Watch - the online publication specifically designed to serve the owners and operators of property portal sites around the world has run an article on our recent press release.

The article focuses on the Free Agent Leadsfree listing options available to estate agents. Although a no-brainer in this market, many estate agents are happy to update their listings and have decided to upgrade on our innovative lead generation and referral system. With upcoming 'industry first' products in the pipeline we hope to capitalise on our industry exposure on sites such as Property Portal Watch and Global Edge and be seen as a real contender to more established and 'run-of-the-mill' lead generation services.

CheckMyFile Credit Reference - Estate Agency Fees Direct Article

2009-01-21T23:12:00.000Z

CheckMyFile supplying "most comprehensive credit reports available" - according to the Times has posted an article entitled Drive the cost of estate agent fees down

CheckMyfile offer a unique service whereby you can have fun checking the credit rating of your local area.

They offer a Check your Credit Report, a Free Credit Score, Find a Lender,
Debt Advice Centre, Check your Postcode and Free Identity Theft Check and as market leader their services can aid potential buyers and sellers can make informed decisions.

Property Problems Solved

2008-12-21T08:05:00.001Z

EstateAgencyFeesDirect.com is please to announce our latest marketing partnership with Property Problems Solved.

With wide ranging articles on various aspects on not only buying and selling property they offer advice on lettings, planning, legal issues, property insurance, mortgages and finance, building defects and energy initiatives Property Problems Solved provides readers with a great online resource.

ReallyMoving Marketing Partnership

2008-11-12T18:45:00.002Z

We have teamed up with ReallyMoving.com one of the UK's best INSTANT quotes systems for removals companies, conveyancing solicitors, building and homebuyer surveys, or your Energy Performance Certificates to help moving house simpler. Under their Professor Property Advice pages they can answer questions such as How can I decide which estate agent to use to sell my home? and other useful advice on all property selling matters from their resident expert.

Recent Additions to Estate Agency Fees Direct

2008-07-15T21:13:00.009+01:00

Aitchisons Estate Agency

With offices in Berkhamsted, Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Radlett, St Albans and Watford, Aitchisons is part of the Aitchison Raffety Group of companies which was formed by joining together long established regional firms of Estate Agents, Chartered Surveyors and Town Planners to provide comprehensive solutions to the complex world of property.

Response to the Globrix Blog

2008-06-02T22:43:00.000+01:00

Good to see that other innovative property portals like Globix are taking note of our new service. However their review is slightly shortsighted shall we say. Yes the site allows you to search and select the cheapest quote for selling your property but the primary aim of the site is to enable property sellers to negotiate with multiple estate agents via a single form. Its a simple tool used to assist you in selecting the right agency. Cost is always a consideration especially in these crunch times but you should always look at the exposure your agent can give you.

[Globrix Blog Quote: Estate Agency Fees Direct, which launches today, promises to let you get competing quotes from lots of different estate agents so you can pick the cheapest. The question, however, is whether the cheapest is necessarily the best when it comes to choosing the right agent. When you're making what is usually the largest financial transaction of your personal life, do you want to go for the cheapest or the best?]

While almost all agents advertise their properties on the likes of Rightmove, Propertyfinder, Primelocation etc, there are not many differentiating factors between local agents - apart from their additional services! And this is where Estateagencyfeesdirect.com comes to the fore.

or example: if you were looking for estate agents in Oxford to sell your property, some agencies would want to cross sell you services such as free Home Information Packs, Conveyance Surveys etc as part of the deal. we believe the seller should be able to compare these additional service options in the first instance and then make sure they are getting the best price once all factors are considered.