Start-up aims to cut house sale costs

A NEW online property portal has been launched offering house sellers the chance to sell or exchange homes provately without using estate agents.

Housetrade.co.uk is a Manchester-based business set up by 28 year-old managing director Shaun Coulthwaite and his friend Neil Arkwright.

The pair have said that the site puts owners in control of their own negotiations and viewings while saving money on fees.

Mr Coulthtwaite said that current market conditions mean the property market “has become increasingly stagnant”.

“The number of unsold houses on the market has reached its highest level in two years and with the average UK asking price discount now at £19,580 (7.5%), an all-time record and £1,105 higher than it was this time last year, an increasing number of sellers are being left out of pocket.

“Buying and selling property can be stressful and costly. Our aim is to make property transactions as simple and efficient as possible.”

The start-up company typically charges customers a fixed £99 fee to list a property for three months. Alternatively, sellers can choose to list their properties for ree if they are willing to pay a £499 fee on completion of a successful sale.

Coulthwaite said: “The whole purpose of Housetrade is to make it easier and cheaper for people to sell their houses privately. Over the last few years, individuals have had to look for new ways of reducing their expenditure and we hope to instrument much-needed cost savings in the property market.”