A company is launching a home sales service that by-passes traditional estate agents.

YooSell, which launches in one region of the UK on Wednesday this week, calls itself a digital home-selling platform “designed to give homeowners the tools to market, manage and progress their own property sale while retaining greater control of the process.”

It adds that it provides owners with “a modern alternative” that combines technology, transparency and flexibility, and cuts the cost of moving.

Through the platform, vendors can create property listings, upload photographs, communicate with prospective buyers, manage enquiries and track interest in their property through a single online account.

The listings then appear on the platform’s website, phone app and social media – but only appears on Rightmove if the customer selects the platform’s enhanced or premium package.

To ensure compliance, all listings go through an approval process before being going live.

This consists of verification of the property’s identity plus the vendor’s email and telephone details.

Then AI is used to review the listing contents; checks the description, the price, photos and location information.

Before going live, the AI-approved instruction then has to go through a manual approval process. 

YouSell founder and chief executive Balram Kumar says: “With the cost of living and property-related costs continuing to rise, we want to help people keep more of their hard-earned money. 

“Technology has transformed almost every aspect of modern life, yet many homeowners still feel they have limited options when it comes to selling their property.

“We created YooSell to give homeowners greater choice, greater transparency and greater control over one of the biggest financial decisions they will ever make.”

The firm says the idea originated from Kumar’s experience working for a national new-build house developer and building his own property portfolio. 

The founders believe that today’s consumers are increasingly comfortable managing major transactions online and that property sales are the next market ready for digital transformation.

Another co-founder, Daniel McNeill – also chief operating officer – adds: “Our intention is to be the AutoTrader for houses.

“Millions of people are already comfortable advertising and selling cars online, managing their finances digitally and booking major purchases through technology. 

“We believe homeowners should have access to the same level of control, visibility and convenience when selling their property.”

YooSell launches initially across the East Midlands.