If you’re looking for a trustworthy online estate agent in the UK, you’ll likely come across Purplebricks and Yopa, two of the market’s giants. They’ve been competing for quite some time, with services that used to mirror each other so closely that flipping a coin seemed a good enough method to pick one over the other.
Now, things look different as one of these agents has completely overhauled their service, making the rivalry – and your decision – a bit more complicated.
In an unexpected move as of December 2023, Purplebricks ditched their £999 selling package for a new, free service. Yes, they’re now offering to sell your house for free! On the other hand, Yopa is still charging £999 for their services.
The battle of Purplebricks’ free service versus Yopa’s £999 service
It might look like an easy choice at first glance, but there’s more to consider.
Purplebricks or Yopa: Which Offers More?
Let’s put their basic sales packages under the microscope…
It’s tempting, right? Reaching out for that free offer looks like a no-brainer.
However, what you need to realize is that Purplebricks’ free service excludes certain features that serious sellers often desire:
- Rightmove listing – The largest property website in the UK that could significantly increase the number of potential buyers seeing your property.
- Professional photography – Essential for making your listing stand out.
- Floor plans – Helpful for giving buyers a clear idea of the property’s layout.
Despite these omissions, Purplebricks claims they provide, and I quote, “Everything you need to sell your home – for free.” This is technically true as they still provide a listing on Zoopla, the second largest property portal, which is quite effective on its own.
You can obtain your own property photos and use them with Purplebricks, although the quality of images plays a significant role in attracting interest online. While floor plans are a nice addition, they’re not critical.
Purplebricks concedes that their free service does have its limitations by offering additional services at extra costs:
Rightmove listing | £399 |
Digital Enhanced professional photos & 360 virtual tour and professional floorplan | £699 |
Boost PackageAll services from the Free Package plus professional photos, a virtual tour, floorplan, Rightmove premium listing and discounted mortgage advice. | £899 |
Full house PackageEvery service in the Boost Package with added hosted viewings and mortgage advice. | £899 |
“Free” suddenly doesn’t look as appealing once you start needing those additional features.
When to Consider Yopa Over Purplebricks
If you determine Purplebricks’ free option isn’t comprehensive enough and begin to add optional services, the cost mounts up quickly. For example, adding a Rightmove listing and professional photos can lead to a bill of £899.
Jumping from free to £899 is a big leap.
If you reach that point, Yopa can unexpectedly become more economical since their £999 package includes 12 months of marketing, compared to Purplebricks’ 6 months, even after adding extras.
You’ll have to weigh which services you need and compare the costs. For instance, if you only want the £299 Rightmove listing, Purplebricks’ free offering may still be less expensive than Yopa’s standard package.
Exploring Other Hybrid Online Estate Agents
Both Yopa and Purplebricks represent a hybrid model that combines the benefits of physical and online estate agency services. After buying a package from their websites, they assign you a local agent who works from home to assist with the valuation, viewing, and sale process.
Next, we discuss pure online estate agents which operate entirely online. This means you don’t get a local agent for your property, requiring a more hands-on approach. Because of this, they tend to be cheaper, starting at £99.
Examples include Quicklister with a 4.9 rating, based on a Google score of 0.98, and a service period of three months under the Build your plan package at a price of £169, including VAT. Additionally, Griffin Property Co has a 4.5 rating and offers a 12-month Sell Your Property package for £245, including VAT. However, note that while Rightmove listing is included for the first month, there is an optional renewal at £50 per month, which could add up to an extra £550 over 12 months.
Disclaimer: The information provided is based on the personal opinions of a landlord blogger and should not be considered professional legal or financial advice. Always seek qualified advice for such matters.