Technology is revolutionising every part of our lives and changing the way businesses operate in the UK. From companies like Uber who are taking away customers from traditional taxi firms with consumers simply ordering an Uber through their easy to use app; to take-away's who struggle severely without the added traffic of the Just Eat app. It's safe to say that as technology gets more advanced consumers become lazier and more reliant upon it. It could even be argued that consumers are becoming more socially anxious in the fact they would prefer to use an app than speak to another human being.
With the exception of Purple Bricks, who started in 2012 with a hybrid model of traditional estate agency, the UK property market hasn't really changed much and mainly relies on outdated and antiquated techniques to sell property. Most traditional estate agents rely on sending a valuer out to your home, a separate photographer, someone to draw up floorplans and finally for it all to be uploaded to Rightmove and Zoopla - where as a seller you can wait up to 6 months for your home to sell (depending on your location and condition).
The only way to get a guaranteed quick house sale is through a cash buying company who will physically buy the asset from you for cash, usually in as little as a week. However, although this will guarantee you a fast house sale, the price you will be offered will be significantly lower than market value.
How To Use 'Tech' To Sell Your House Fast
Wouldn't it be ideal if you could sell your house as fast as you can order a Domino's, or get an offer on your property as quickly as you can order an Uber? Perhaps within the next 10 to 15 years we will see technology that allows this to happen. Unfortunately, as we stand, we must make do with the available selling tools available to us - however this doesn't mean we should rule out the use of technology all together. When it comes to selling a house fast, technology can help; as a consumer you simply need to find an agent that is willing to use it and not afraid to break the mould of traditional estate agency practices.
Some agencies are already utilising modern technology, however if you want to give your current estate agent a nudge in the tech direction - why not mention the following 4 possibilities that will surely help to sell your house fast:-
1. Virtual Tours with VR Technology
The rise of VR (virtual reality) over the past few years has been hugely significant in the gaming world. Some VR games are so realistic they simply mimic the real world with touch sensitive gloves, sights and sounds. This technology isn't going anywhere and it's only going to improve. It's also not going to be exclusively limited to the gaming market. The fitness industry is already taking up the challenge monetising VR technology with some companies developing experiences whereby you can have a virtual personal trainer shouting at you to do that extra burpee. The property industry is already looking at VR tours around properties and some agents are already utilising this technology so interested parties can view around a property from the comfort of their own homes.
2. App Bookings, Offers and Sales
Purple Bricks already have a great booking system in place in the UK that allows customers the ability to arrange viewings, make offers and see the progress of a house sale. However, this is really at the early stages of technology. Within the next 5 - 10 years the whole house sale process could be handled from an app. The viewing conducted by a VR appointment, a virtual surveyor to check out the property, and even the use of drones to check out the quality of the roof! The possibilities are endless.
3. Data Sharing for Solicitors
Conveyancing is a big part of buying and selling property, and one of the things most customers feel slows down their house sale when they need to sell fast. However, within the next few years data sharing from land registry and solicitors could be conducted instantly - including all land searches, mine searches and everything else a solicitor needs to conduct the sale of a property.
4. Agent Analytics
Estate agents moving into a digital age should have numerous facts and figures about local sales statistics, meaning they should be able to make a much closer valuation figure than ever before. A property is never worth what an estate agent says it is, it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Therefore, if an agent can use an AI generated house valuation based on months of statistics and facts - they are likely able to get a consumer a quicker sale than wasting months and months on the open market.
Whatever your reason for needing to sell your house quickly make sure you are maximising your exposure by asking your agent to get on board with the latest technology on offer.
