Sheffield Forum

Connect4Fun · 28-03-2005, 06:50 PM

Hi,

I design and set up web sites to target a number of different audiences. I was wondering what people would think of a website which is targeted at property in south yorkshire, with a domain of something like www.southyorkshirehomes.co.uk or similar?

I'd appreciate it if you maybe could answer a few questions:

1. Would this be useful?
2. Is there already a site you use? (I have'nt found any so far, just sites that claim to be, then list property in bournemouth!)
3. How much would you be willing to pay to list your property?
4. What features would you want?
5. Would it be useful to include all yorkshire, with say a sub-domain? eg, an internal link which brings to a seperate homepage.

Thanks for any feedback,

march · 29-03-2005, 10:07 AM

Does sound like a good idea, although 2roost.com have already done something similar. Thought you might have spotted them as they sponsor this part of the forum.

Tony · 29-03-2005, 10:17 AM

All the agents have pretty good websites already, so unless you could convince them to pool their informaiton (0% IMO) I don't think that a property website would really work unless you find that killer app'.

The agents all use proprietry software that they update daily from within, so again, there is another stumbling block.

2roost, is another selling medium, albeit with a different and interesting slant.

artfullodger.com has a lot of listings, and also carries rentals. They also have affiliations with agencies / landlords. They seem to have mastered the knack of getting themselves right up into the google search rankings, so they have quite a penetration.

And of course, sheffieldforum.co.uk has its own property section that is absolutely free!

espadrille · 29-03-2005, 10:31 AM

I think that internet sites re the way to go.
Most people really do not want to pay 1% of the asking price to an agent and I feel that in a couple of years,as in America, more people will use property websites as a lot of people find that they end up doing all the negotiating themsleves anyway.I know that the agents know the market, but if you have the time, you can keep an eye on the market yourself and get afeel of how it is.
You have to be a good negotiator , but when you get to my age( 43) , you usually have developed this skill any way.
Look back at this post in 2 years and see where we are with this prediction.
2 roost.com and reallymoving .com are 2 that spring to mind but I am sure that there are more

Connect4Fun · 29-03-2005, 11:37 AM

Thanks for your response. I would really be aiming the site at private sellers rather than estate agents until I get the popularity of the site up and running.

The site would be basically free to everyone until I could warrant charging (i.e, people were actually selling their houses).

I think current websites try to charge alot of money right from the off which causes them to have limited choises.

Basically I would target this and other forums in the area (although this seems to be by far the best?), and Google searches.

I'm also going to email a few estage egents and see what they think, if it does start running then everyone who wants to advertise a place on here can have free listings... Sounds good for promoting the site?

espadrille · 29-03-2005, 08:39 PM

Yes, I know that some of them put their ads on fish4.net also so check out what they pay for that

Caronp · 30-03-2005, 10:20 AM

Hi I run 2roost.com and we are for private sales and are not connected to any estate agent, plus we are low cost and give full support, you need to be aware that we thought most people would want to advertisie on the internet, however most clients still want a personal face to face service as well as using the internet, so we have adapted our service to provide that changing tradition is a difficult thing , you should go for it, the more companies there are the more it will educate the general public that you do not need an estate agent to sell your home.
This is the future of property buying and selling,we are already selling more properties than any estate agent in some parts of Sheffield as Espadrille says it is already the way in many countries and even in the South of GB,the idea has been around for years.
Go for it. Caron

Connect4Fun · 30-03-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Caronp
Hi I run 2roost.com and we are for private sales and are not connected to any estate agent, plus we are low cost and give full support, you need to be aware that we thought most people would want to advertisie on the internet, however most clients still want a personal face to face service as well as using the internet, so we have adapted our service to provide that changing tradition is a difficult thing , you should go for it, the more companies there are the more it will educate the general public that you do not need an estate agent to sell your home.
This is the future of property buying and selling,we are already selling more properties than any estate agent in some parts of Sheffield as Espadrille says it is already the way in many countries and even in the South of GB,the idea has been around for years.
Go for it. Caron

Hi thanks for this, I'm still thinking about this idea at present. I dont think there is a huge market for this kind of thing, especially as I am no expert in the property market.

If I do get the site up and running would you be interested in sharing links etc? I aim to spend a reasonable amount of money on Google Adwords and possibly Overture so we could both draw extra traffic in?

faz99uk · 31-03-2005, 09:52 AM

Go for it pal!

i will use the site definately - always in the property business one way or another!

Caronp · 01-04-2005, 10:51 AM

Hi , yes we are always open to looking for links etc,let me know when you are ready to go .We are moving our web site to another developer soon and are working on lots of changes and seo is a big part of that.
Good luck with it, a year today down the line for us and its been "interesting", exciting,full of surprises and an amazing journey into peoples expectations and understanding of the property market.

We are just starting to advertise in the property guide too, as however much we didnt want to be traditional, we have had to bend with the clients needs.
My advice to you is go for it,and expect the unexpected!
What are you doing at the moment?

ladylove · 03-04-2005, 10:30 PM

I think that this is a grate idea! It would be so fab to have website for private property sales for South Yorkshire. Sheffield in particular. I find it somewhat hard dealing with estate agents in this city. I'd be willing to pay maybe GPB10.00 to list my property on it.

By the way when can we expect this to be up and running?

Connect4Fun · 03-04-2005, 11:48 PM

Its up and running now!

Here is the link:

http://www.southyorkshirehomes.com

Its completely free to use by the way

Please use as much as possible, obviously once I get more listings I will charge more. But never anymore than £5

Thanks,

Connect4Fun · 04-04-2005, 07:51 PM

Has anybody tried signing up yet? I have'nt really tested it much yet... I think the currency to pay is still in dollars which i'll change.

Strix · 04-04-2005, 08:20 PM

There's no 'ocean view' properties available

I assume you're 'under construction'?

Edit: I like the clickable map on the blundells site (as I moved into the area).
A postcode radius search would be really useful

My fav property site is www.Vebra.com, who have blundells and haybrook on their books
The info on www.upmystreet.co.uk is really useful when buying

Connect4Fun · 04-04-2005, 08:37 PM

Its not quite that advanced. Which is why its free to people who want to list their property!

The only way I aim to make money from it is people who want to advertise on the site...

It is ready to trade, but only went live about an hour ago! Just waiting for people to list their property

Strix · 04-04-2005, 08:42 PM

No point in advertising on a site that's unuseable to the potential end user

I wouldn't advertise my house for sale in a sports mag, because the readership won't be interested.

If your site is difficult for a house buyer to use, what's the point in anybody advertising on it?

There's no such thing as money for old rope

Ocean view?

max · 04-04-2005, 08:46 PM

Poor grammar:

Quote:

No results was found!

and what's a transit?

Otherwise doesn't work but good luck.

Connect4Fun · 04-04-2005, 09:02 PM

Its hardly unuseable... so maybe the ocean view is not quite right.... and transit could be changed to public transport!

Blimey its hard to satisfy people these days!

Strix · 05-04-2005, 02:03 AM

but some people aren't trying