The anti-estate agent movement is “stepping up a gear”, the Telegraph’s property columnist, Anna Tyzack, wrote on Saturday with what seemed like a note of satisfaction in her voice.
It only took her one more sentence before she mentioned the dread Sarah Beeny’s private sales site, Tepilo. Oh, and a new one for DIY sellers called Onelondonproperty.com
The article then goes on to say how easy it is to value your own property via the web. Or not.
Apparently when Tyzack was selling her last home (through an estate agent) she invited six to value it (six!!!) and their valuations varied by £150,000.
Well, we’re not sure what is bothering her, because when the flat did sell, it went for more than the highest valuation she found for it online.
In other words, her agent got her a better price that she would have done had she sold – dare we say it – privately, through Sarah Beeny’s Tepilo.
To make matters worse, Tyzack goes on to say that “even” Nick Leeming of Zoopla, “a website that can supposedly value your home”, recommends asking an estate agent for a valuation.
We’re not sure what “even” Nick Leeming means: he’s been in the business a long time and is one of the biggest supporters of estate agents we know.
However, perhaps all this is by the by. What puzzles us is why a property journalist, writing in a property supplement, really believes the “anti-estate agent movement is stepping up a gear” when nothing in the article seems to support this. Is this really a service to readers?
Okay, it’s not exactly Hillsborough and The Sun. But all the same, it’s estate agency input (and we’re talking editorial here, rather than advertising spend) that makes the Telegraph’s property supplement viable.
So, how about an anti-Telegraph movement amongst estate agents “stepping up a gear”?
Comments
Is Anna Tyzack on a retainer from Sarah Beeny....?
I have only found 3 Anna Tyzack Sarah Beeny Daily Telegraph articles online.
The Daily Telegraph describes itself as 'Britain's best selling quality newspaper'. Such might have been a true description before the latest change of ownership; however, this paper now appears to become more light-weight and tabloid-like from month to month. As a result, I think it unlikely that many would take the views expressed therein seriously any more. Its anti-agent stance merely underlines its contributors' ignorance of the realities of the property market.
I agree with Integra..life has changed for journos & they are a tad short of good, interesting, property related stuff to write about.
On the note of Sarah Beeny’s Tepilo...... I have noticed a few agents getting a little steamed up about about it............ I wouldn't worry too much....have you checked out her site? It's pretty poor. I've tried it a few times & have given up after a few seconds, for fear of chucking my PC through the window. I believe most tepilo users will do the same.
Its all good, just taken a house on the market where they have had no viewings for a year after spending £200 on a rip off private sale website.
Its only idiots who think they know better who do it and probably lose £10,000 by not offering their house to the whole market.
Also put a private board up and invite a mugger into your house,,,only a matter of time.
What is the Telegraph's problem with estate agents?
I would imagine,like most physical media, it is loss of advertising revenue as agenst realis ete value of online vs offline marketing - oh and those freebe invites journos used to get from agents to events and lunches etc Pieces like this are not likely to put them back on agents Xmas card list anytime soon!