Online Estate Agents That Offer Hosted / Accompanied Viewings

There’s a common misconception about the service online estate agents offer; specifically that their service is limited to shoving your property onto Rightmove & Zoopla to generate enquiries – and that’s it.

Perhaps that’s how limited they used to be back in the Stone Age, but these days, many offer so much more, including hosted/accompanied viewings.

Originally, there was quite a big difference in service being offered between online agents and high-street agents, even though the objective of selling a home has always been the intent.

In a nutshell, online estate agents were geared towards sellers that simply required a means of getting their property listed onto Rightmove & Zoopla to generate enquiries, and then prepared to do the legwork e.g arrange and conduct the viewings, negotiate the sale etc.

But I guess, somewhere along the line, online agents cottoned onto the fact that a thoroughly stripped down service left a huge gap between them and the alternative (the traditional high-street agent), meaning there was a whole bunch of alienated people, somewhere in the middle, that also wanted to benefit from low prices, while willing to pay extra for some of the bells and whistles!

Long story short: a gap was identified, and now many online agents offer accompanied viewings (along with a bunch of other additional junk), while still being able to provide a much cheaper offering than the traditional high-street agents. Some online agents are actually able to offer the exact same service as you’d expect from a high-street, only without the presence of a local branch.

Online estate agents that offer hosted/accompanied viewings

The “Hosted viewings” search filter has been automatically applied, so by default you only see the online agents that offer the service, but feel free to select additional filters. The total prices will automatically adjust as you select and deselect the filters, and then order the agents based on the lowest price for the overall package.

Please note, the prices shown have exclusive discount codes and offers applied where available.

Search Filters

Require any of the following?

1. Rightmove listing

Rightmove listing

X

1. EPC

EPC An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed when a property sold in the UK. They are valid for 10 years, so if you already have a valid one you do not to order another.

X

1. Photograghs

Photograghs The agent will arrange for a photographer to visit your property to take pictures, which can be used with your adverts. Good quality photos are important in making your property look attractive and can increase enquiries.

X

1. Floorplan

Floorplan The agent will arrange for a professionally produced floorplan showing the layout and room sizes of your property. Many buyers find floorplans useful when viewing property details online.

X

1. Negotiation

Negotiation The agent will help to negotiate with potential buyers on your behalf. If you are confident in negotiating then you may not need this service.

X

1. For sale sign

For sale sign The agent will arrange for a 'For Sale' sign to be placed outside your property to attract passer-buyers.

X

1. In-person valuation

In-person valuation The agent will arrange for a local expert to visit your property to conduct a proper valuation. Please note, some agents offer "free, no obligation valuations"

X

1. Hosted viewings

Hosted viewings A local agent will take viewings and show potential buyers around your property. Please note, some agents limit how many viewings they will take, so please read the T&C's carefully.

X

1. No sale, no fee

No sale, no fee If the agent doesn't sell your home, you don't pay their fee. (T&C's may apply, so please read carefully).

X

Estate AgentRatingDurationIncludes / NotesPrice 99Home Rating 4.9 TrustPilot Reviews Duration Until Sold Includes / Notes

Standard package

1. Until Sold marketing on Zoopla, OnTheMarket + more

2. Negotiation

3. Zoopla featured listing (for 1 week)

4. Optional add-on products (added onto total price with discount(s) applied)

5. £300 Hosted viewings (8 viewings max) Price £359Inc VAT Normal price: £399

Discount available Visit Website50% Discount Code: HomePIP5 Door Steps Rating 4.8 TrustPilot Reviews Duration Until Sold Includes / Notes

Standard package

1. Until Sold marketing on Rightmove, Zoopla + more

2. Rightmove listing

3. Negotiation

4. Optional add-on products (added onto total price with discount(s) applied)

5. £400 Hosted viewings (Unlimited viewings) Price £494Inc VAT Normal price: £499

Discount available Visit Website5% Discount Code: PIP5 I Am The Agent Rating 4.8 TrustPilot Reviews Duration 12 Months Includes / Notes

IATA Essential package

1. 12 Months marketing on Rightmove, Zoopla + more

2. Rightmove listing

3. EPC

4. Photograghs

5. Floorplan

6. For sale sign

7. In-person valuation

8. Optional add-on products (added onto total price with discount(s) applied)

9. £130 Hosted viewings (1 hour block)

*You need to choose between Professional Photography/Floorplan or EPC. Alternatively, pay extra for the other: £119 for Photos, £65 for EPC. Price* £534.1Inc VAT Normal price: £579

Discount available Visit Website10% Discount Code: propinv21 Strike (formerly Housesimple) Top Pick Rating 4.7 TrustPilot Reviews Duration 6 months Includes / Notes

No fee package

1. 6 months marketing on Rightmove, Zoopla + more

2. Rightmove listing

3. Photograghs

4. Floorplan

5. Negotiation

6. For sale sign

7. In-person valuation

8. No sale, no fee

9. 13 weeks Sole Agency contract

10. Optional add-on products (added onto total price)

11. £549 Hosted viewings (Unlimited viewings or ad-hoc £35 per viewing)

*YES, Strike will give you a 100% free service, no strings attached.

The catch is: Strike currently only sells properties in England, and in two forms. They provide a "hybrid" service (i.e. which includes an in-person valuation by a local agent) for properties in the Midlands, North West & Yorkshire etc. Specifically, the following postcodes: B1 - 50, B6 - 99, BB, BD, BL, CA, CH1- 4, CH25 - 34, CH41 - 49, CH60 - 66, CH70, CH88, CH99, CV, CW, DE, DG, DH, DL, DN, DY, FY, GL1 - 20, GL50 - 56, HD, HG, HR, HU, HX, IM, L, LA, LE1-19, LE21, LE41, LE55, LE65 - 67, LE87, LE94 - 95, LN, LS, M, NE, NG1 - 25, NG31 - 34, NG80, NG90, OL, PE10 - 12, PE20 - 25, PR, S, SK, SR, ST1 - 21, ST55, SY, TD, TF, TS, WA, WF, WN, WR, WS, WV, YO.

For the rest of England, they provide a "virtual" service, which includes everything listed, but instead of an in-person valuation, you will receive a digital valuation report (presumably compiled by current and historical house price data). Price*Free + £549Inc VAT

Free Visit WebsiteBook Free In-Person Valuation Visum Rating 4.7 TrustPilot Reviews Duration 6 months Includes / Notes

Premium package

1. 6 months marketing on Rightmove, Zoopla + more

2. Rightmove listing

3. Rightmove Premium listing

4. EPC

5. Photograghs

6. Floorplan

7. For sale sign

8. Optional add-on products (added onto total price with discount(s) applied)

9. £395 Hosted viewings (Unlimited viewings) Price £879Inc VAT Normal price: £894

Discount available Visit Website£15 Discount Code: PIP1 esale Rating 4.8 TrustPilot Reviews Duration 12 months Includes / Notes

Pay Upfront package

1. 12 months marketing on Rightmove, OnTheMarket + more

2. Rightmove listing

3. Rightmove Premium listing

4. Photograghs

5. Floorplan

6. 30 day money-back guarantee

7. Optional add-on products (added onto total price with discount(s) applied)

8. £325 Hosted viewings (Unlimited viewings)

* Add Rightmove premium listing to your cart then apply discount code during checkout. Price £920Inc VAT Normal price: £950

Promo available Visit Website*Free Rightmove Premium Listing with code: PREMIUM2020 Yopa Rating 4.6 TrustPilot Reviews Duration 12 Months Includes / Notes

Pay Now Core package

1. 12 Months marketing on Rightmove, Zoopla + more

2. Rightmove listing

3. Photograghs

4. Floorplan

5. Negotiation

6. For sale sign

7. In-person valuation

8. Optional add-on products (added onto total price)

9. £300 Hosted viewings (Unlimited viewings)

*Selling fee of £1,499 in a few specific London postcodes. Price* £1299Inc VAT Visit WebsiteBook Free In-Person Valuation

Please note, I try my best to keep the information of each agent up-to-date, but you should read the T&C’s from the agents’ website for the most up-to-date information.

How does hosted viewings work with an online agent?

It generally works the same as you’d expect from your local high-street agent, where prospective buyers request viewings, and then your online agent will schedule in a suitable time and day with you.

One point that might be worth bearing in mind is that some online agents, like Strike (formerly Housesimple), outsource viewings to third party companies (i.e. the person(s) taking the viewings won’t work directly for the agency), while others, like YOPA, use their own local agents.

Does it make a difference? It might do! The online agents that outsource viewings may not allocate an agent that is local to the area, so they won’t be able to provide local knowledge, which prospective buyers may require.

However, if your main concern is simply having someone else show prospective buyers around your property, then it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. If the potential lack of local knowledge is a concern, it might be worth finding out who will be conducting your viewings and how local they are to the area BEFORE choosing your agent.

What if I want to do the viewings myself? How does that work?

First and foremost, remove the “hosted viewings” search filter so you can see how much cheaper the packages are without the add-on (hosted viewings is actually one of the most expensive add-ons).

The arrangement of the viewings is pretty straightforward – you simply arrange the viewings directly with the buyer (usually through an online dashboard on the agent’s website). During the viewing, you’re expected to independently show the buyer around your property and answer any questions they may have.

Nothing unexpected or revolutionary about the process, I hope.

Are you willing to pay more for viewings?

I guess that’s what it really boils down to!

Needless to say, viewings are an imperative step of the house selling process, so someone needs to them.

Many sellers prefer doing the viewings themselves, or at least, they’re happy to conduct them, which makes many of the super cost-effective ‘standard’ packages the perfect solution, as many of them don’t include hosted viewings. At the time of writing this article, you can sell your property for as little as £94 via an online estate agent. Cheap as chips!

However, for those of you that don’t quite want to pay high-street agent prices and don’t have the time or interest in taking viewings, you’ll notice several options available in the table above, but obviously you’ll have to cough up a little extra above the base price for the privilege. On average, it costs an additional £200 for hosted-viewings, so ultimately you need to decide whether it’s worth it, or if you’d rather save the money and do the viewings yourself. Your call!

One word of warning before you snap up a hosted viewing package with your online agent of choice! Make sure you check the terms of the ‘hosted viewing’ add-on, because many of them are strapped with limitations. For example, IamTheAgent charge £130 extra for viewings, but that only permits a 1 hour block session (i.e. you’ll get multiple viewings with in one hour only), while 99home (one of the cheapest and highest rated online agents) offer a £300 hosting package which permits up to 8 viewings! Strike can host your viewings on an ad-hoc basis from £35 per viewing, or host all of your viewings for a fixed fee of £295.

I’d love to hear what you decide to do, and who you decide to work with… comments below!