The best way to realise the full value of your home is to achieve the maximum sale price. But in a seller’s market like today’s, did you know you can boost that even more by minimising the sale cost?
The most effective way of doing it is through an estate agent like Moovingo, which charges a great value fixed fee to sell your home and not a percentage based on the sale price.
“’How much does it cost to sell a property?’ and ‘How much do estate agents charge?’ are two of the most searched queries we see,” says Tony Deane who, with co-founder Jack Brady, set up Moovingo three years ago, to help Irish sellers get the most from the sale of their home.
Estate agent fees in Ireland typically range from 1 to 3 per cent plus VAT depending on the agent, the type of property, the location and ultimately, the seller's ability to negotiate the best deal.
Moovingo’s fixed fee is a great option.
“Just last week I was speaking to a lady who hadn’t given much thought to the 1.5 per cent she was recently quoted. She said that because it was expressed as a percentage, she didn’t think of it in monetary terms. It was only when she realised that 1.5 per cent plus VAT translated into just over €12,000, rather than the €2,500 plus VAT flat fee we were quoting, that it really hit home,” explains Deane.
First to market
Moovingo is the first of its kind in Ireland.
“We combine the best of traditional estate agents - the human element - with the efficiency, trust and value technology brings,” adds Deane.
With its range of packages, you pay a fixed, flat fee, so you know exactly what you’re getting and how much you are paying for it. “We also charge a clear fixed fee for our services, which is far less than the unknown 1 to 3 per cent plus the extras that traditional agents charge.”
Pick the right package
All packages come with a free property valuation just as you would expect from any agent, professional photography, floorplans, a For Sale sign and marketing on all the key channels such as Daft and MyHome. “Once a property goes on the market, we manage all enquiries, negotiations and the closing to ensure a smooth sale from start to finish. Throughout the process the sale will be managed by an experienced licensed agent and with the support of a dedicated team we keep both buyers and sellers up to date. Both sellers and buyers also get access to a private online dashboard to ask questions, book viewings and make offers 24/7,” he says.
Moovingo Pro costs €1,500.
“This includes all of the aforementioned and the homeowner would host their own viewings, this is our most popular package for properties in rural locations where we don’t have agents,” he says.
Moovingo Performance costs €2,500.
This has traditionally been Moovingo’s most popular package, and includes everything expected when selling a property through an agent, including the services of its team of licensed estate agents to host all viewings.
Moovingo’s M-pack costs €3,500.
It includes all of the services mentioned, plus an additional marketing bundle to boost a sale, including a top spot listing on Daft and MyHome, a press release, sponsored social media ads plus a 3D Virtual Tour to maximise viewings.
It proved the perfect package in the recent environment. “We customised this package a little further and reduced the price this year and it is quickly turning into the most popular as it includes maximum marketing,” says Deane.
How much will I save?
If you are selling a house for €500,000, a typical estate agent fee of 1.5 per cent will cost you €8,000. Opting for the Moovingo Performance Pack, at a flat, fixed fee of €2,500, represents a saving of €5,500.
A house that sells for €1m, with Moovingo's Performance Pack, at €2,500, will save €13,000.
There is a savings calculator on the homepage of the website to show the difference between prices.
How else can I save?
When it comes to estate agent fees, “always remember to check whether or not this includes additional costs such as professional photography as well as online advertising,” says Deane. “Too often there are hidden fees that go unnoticed. Sellers may not be aware but most agents charge extra for marketing and the sale price of 1 to 3 per cent is generally excluding VAT. To be clear, we list all our pricing on our website.”
Spend to save
“Even in a seller’s market like today, where we could be selling houses all day long, it is still the case that sellers who put more effort into preparing their property for sale achieve a premium.”
That means, at a minimum, painting the property inside and out, and sorting out the garden are essentials. You can of course save money by doing it yourself, but for a high end finish, nothing beats a professional painter or gardener.
In Dublin expect to pay approximately €1,500 for a one-bed apartment to be repainted with two coats, and €2,500 for a standard three-bed home interior and €1,200 for the exterior.
Some things cost nothing but time
Preparing and staging your property for photography and viewings are essential when selling a property.
“When we provide a valuation we advise where to focus your time and budget. Then once you are ready we book in one of our professional property photographers and then it’s time for you to put the finishing touches to your property.
Staging has become, if anything, even more important as a result of the past year, where people were doing virtual tours. Viewings are now back to normal but having quality online photography and 3D tours or video is always important because it’s the first impression you make. It’s a good idea to take inspiration from interior magazines, Instagram or Airbnb lettings,” Deane says.
Moovingo also note, preparing for each viewing and ensuring the property is clean, tidy and well aired is essential to give a buyer a positive impression. A freshly cut lawn and fresh smells throughout the property can have a lasting effect.
Simple steps can make you so much more for your property.